Displaying items by tag: Europe

UK: Heidelberg Materials UK has secured planning permission to build a carbon capture plant at its Padeswood cement works in north Wales. The facility will capture up to 800,000t/yr of CO₂ for storage via the HyNet North West pipeline under Liverpool Bay.

The project is expected to create around 50 new full-time jobs, and up to 500 additional jobs during construction. Once operational, the Padeswood facility will capture ‘almost all’ of the CO₂ produced at the cement works and enable the production of evoZero cement by 2029.

Spain: Holcim, IGNIS P2X and Exolum have launched Eco2fly, a project to convert industrial CO₂ emissions into sustainable aviation fuel at Holcim’s Villaluenga de la Sagra plant in Toledo. The facility will capture over 700,000t/yr of CO₂ from the plant’s cement production process and convert it into 100,000t/yr of sustainable aviation fuel using ‘green’ hydrogen. The remaining CO₂ will be stored in geological repositories. Over its first 10 years, the project will reportedly avoid more than 6.5Mt of CO₂ emissions.

Sweden: Cemvision and S:t Eriks have entered into a partnership agreement as a result of several pilot projects using Cemvision’s cement in S:t Eriks’ production. The partners have signed a letter of intent to develop and implement sustainable concrete solutions within water and sewage infrastructure. Having already tested Cemvision’s cement in its own production, S:t Eriks will then implement the cement in commercial projects. The product reportedly offers high resistance to sulphate and acid attacks, which contribute to longer service life.

In the coming months, Cemvision and S:t Eriks will continue testing to explore the potential for broader implementation of the cement in water and sewage systems.

Ukraine: Ukrainian cement and concrete producers are ready to expand capacity to meet reconstruction demand, according to a survey by Consumer and Business Research Ukraine (CBR), despite reduced funding and limited state budget. Cement production dropped to 5.4Mt in 2022 from 11Mt in 2021 but stabilised at 7.4Mt in 2023 and 7.97Mt in 2024. CBR estimates that 8Mt/yr is feasible during wartime, rising to 12Mt/yr in the third or fourth year of reconstruction.

The Ukrainian Cement Association (UkrCement) head Pavlo Kachur said “Reconstruction will begin with demining, reinforcing the front lines and restoring energy infrastructure. Large-scale construction will likely not begin until the third or fourth year.”

At present, plant capacity utilisation varies across regions. Plants in western Ukraine are operating at higher capacity, while those in the south and east remain underutilised. In 2022, plants operated at a loss but retained staff. In 2023, volumes were sufficient to break even. Two-thirds of surveyed consumers increased production in 2023, though 2024 expectations were cautious.

Kachur said “Time will be needed for training, planning and securing financing—and cement producers will use that time to fill the market, primarily by investing in modernisation and capacity expansion. For example, two major projects to build new kilns are already ready in Kryvy Rih and Ivano-Frankivsk.”

The study notes that building brand new plants is unlikely, but modernising existing kilns can be accomplished within a year. It expects at least two plants to launch new kilns, increasing capacity by 2Mt/yr. For example, Kryvyi Rih Cement has obtained a permit to develop the Maryanske limestone deposit (60km from the plant) and plans to build a clinker kiln at the site.

CBR researcher Tetiana Sytnyk said “Cement companies are ready to make rapid investments in modernisation and to launch additional kilns once recovery begins. They’re waiting for clear signals to proceed – such as the allocation of reconstruction funds or a surge in demand to at least 9.5Mt/yr.”

Ukraine exported 1.7Mt of cement in 2024, up from 56,000t in 2021, with Kachur adding that exports have ‘saved’ the local industry during the war. Developed countries will be capable of meeting Ukraine’s reconstruction needs, though this could hurt local producers. Kachur added “During the recovery phase, Ukraine’s market must be as localised as possible with domestic products. Only countries that supported us during the war should have access.”

Russia: Kavkazcement plans to spend US$224m on equipment modernisation after cement production costs rose by 30–34% in 2024, according to local news reports. The producer recorded a production increase of 11% year-on-year to 2Mt in 2024 and aims to grow output by a further 10% in 2025.

General director Sergey Bogomaz said “Cement from Kavkazcement is in demand in many regions of Russia. The main deliveries go to the Rostov Region, Volgograd Region and Krasnodar Krai. In our region, we see an increase in construction volumes. New infrastructure projects are emerging, such as the construction of the first airport in Karachay-Cherkessia.”

Denmark: Air Liquide and Cementir Holding, via its Danish subsidiary Aalborg Portland, have signed the European Innovation Fund grant agreement for the ACCSION project at the Aalborg cement plant. The project aims to reduce the plant’s CO₂ emissions by 1.5Mt/yr, with the captured CO₂ transported via pipeline to onshore CO₂ storage facilities.

The value of the Innovation Fund grant is €220m, fully financed by the EU Emissions Trading System.

Greece: Ecocem has signed a partnership agreement with Titan Group to co-develop and deliver low-carbon cements using Ecocem’s ACT technology. The collaboration will initially target the Greek market, replacing a portion of clinker with locally sourced supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to reduce cement CO₂ emissions by up to 70%.

Group managing director Donal O’Riain said “Signing this co-development and technology transfer agreement with a partner of Titan Group’s size and calibre is a real demonstration of confidence in our ACT technology. This partnership has the potential to accelerate the use of a range of SCMs with ACT technology and deliver rapid and low-cost decarbonisation of the cement industry globally.”

France: CBMI has completed installation of a new rotary kiln at Eqiom’s Lumbres plant for the ‘K6 Project’. The plant is now reportedly carbon-neutral and is equipped with an oxyfuel kiln to reduce CO₂ emissions. The supplier said via social media that its team ‘delivered precise execution despite tight space and complex challenges’.

Eqiom announced back in 2024 that it would upgrade the Lumbres plant to expand its capacity and reduce emissions by 20% by 2026.

Sweden: Skanska and Cemvision will enter into a partnership, which will combine Skanska’s experience in low-carbon construction solutions and Cemvision’s circular cement technologies. The collaboration will begin in spring 2025 and will see Skanska scale up a new generation of cement with up to 95% lower climate impact compared to traditional Portland cement.

The signed letter of intent marks the first step towards a future off-take agreement, in which Skanska will secure access to Cemvision’s cement for implementation across its projects. The company is planning its first pilot projects for the near future.

Europe/US: Titan Cement has reported sales of €2.64bn in 2024, up by 4% year-on-year, with growth across all product lines and regions, led by the US and Europe. The group recorded earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of €592m, up by 10%, with gains from operating efficiencies, lower solid fuel costs and increased alternative fuel use. Net profit after tax stood at €315.3m. In February 2025, Titan completed the IPO of Titan America on the New York Stock Exchange, raising US$393m.

Sales in the fourth quarter grew by 1% year-on-year to €660m, with net profit after tax at €77.5m. Titan said it is on track to digitalise 100% of its plants by 2026.