Displaying items by tag: Finance
Mexico: GCC has secured validation by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) for its latest CO2 reduction goals. The group has committed to reducing its Scope 1 emissions per tonne of cementitious product by 31% and its Scope 2 emissions per tonne of cementitious product by 57% between 2015 and 2030. It has also committed to a 37.5% absolute reduction in its products’ Scope 3 emissions over the same period. The goals will serve as sustainability performance targets for GCC’s US$500m sustainability-linked bond, which it issued in January 2022.
GCC's vice president of sustainability and environment Gina Lotito said "We are proud and excited to be a catalyst of progress towards a low-carbon future. Our laser-focus on our climate change strategy and emphasis on reducing CO2 emissions is a testament to our commitment to creating a sustainable future. While we celebrate our achievements, we acknowledge that there is still much work to be done and remain steadfast in our mission."
Lhoist and others secure Euro4.5m in EU funding for carbon capture and utilisation project
19 January 2023Belgium: The EU Innovation Fund has awarded Euro4.5m to a consortium consisting of Lhoist, gas provider Fluxys Belgium, concrete products company Prefer and carbonation technology developer Orbix. The collaborators are working on a project called CO2ncrEAT. The project will carbonate steel sector by-products with captured CO2 from Lhoist's Hermalle lime plant to produce alternative building materials. CO2ncrEAT will be the first project to employ Orbix's innovative technique for the purpose. Fluxys Belgium's pipeline technology will convey the Hermalle plant's emissions over a distance of 2km to a Prefer concrete blocks plant.
The consortium said that it will use 12,000t/yr of CO2 to produce 100,000t/yr of reduced-CO2 concrete blocks. The use of alternative raw materials in the blocks will further reduce their carbon footprint by 8000t/yr.
Lhoist Western Europe managing director Vincent Deleers said “The project fits perfectly with our willingness to actively develop CO2 capture and sequestration technologies that are essential to the sustainability of our industry. We are delighted that our work on innovative solutions has been recognised by the European Innovation Fund and we look forward to working with our partners to bring CO2ncrEAT to the next level.”
Heidelberg Materials places Euro750m sustainability-linked bond
16 January 2023Germany: Heidelberg Materials has placed a Euro750m sustainability-linked bond as part of a Euro10bn medium-term note programme. Interest on the bond is linked to group CO₂ emissions reduction, according to key performance indicators up to 2026 and 2030. Heidelberg Materials is committed to reducing its emissions per tonne of cementitious product by 30% between 2021 and 2030, to 400kg/t.
Heidelberg Materials' chief financial officer René Aldach said "The placement reinforces our aspiration to achieve the most ambitious climate targets within the industry and to increase the share of sustainable financial instruments to over 70% by 2025. With the denomination of Euro1000, we are the only company on the capital market to date to also offer retail investors the opportunity to invest in sustainability-linked bonds."
China Tianrui Group Cement settles US$30m loan
10 January 2023China: China Tianrui Group Cement settled a term loan facility on 9 January 2023. Reuters has reported the value of the facility as US$30m.
Court prevents bank seizure of Savannah Cement's assets
20 December 2022Kenya: The Supreme Court of Kenya has ordered lenders Absa Bank and KCB Group to not seize Savannah Cement's assets or appoint administrators or receivers for it after the producer defaulted on its debts. The producer's debts include US$2.41m in interest and US$110,000 in penalties. The temporary block will stand until the court issues further directions. Business Daily News has reported that the court has ordered Savannah Cement to pay US$81,200 to Absa Bank by 28 December 2022.
Savannah Cement director Benson Sande Ndete alleged that lenders coerced the company into repaying US$40.6m-worth of debt. The law forbids interest payments greater than the principal sum of a loan.
Ndete said, "The firm is working to complete the funding of its Kitui clinker plant project, which will allow it to get all the funds necessary to clear the debts."
Buzzi Unicem to repay Euro500m loan early
20 December 2022Italy: Buzzi Unicem's board of directors has elected to exercise an option of early repayment on a Euro500m bond loan. Italian Collection News has reported that the producer will make the payment on 28 January 2023. The bonds have a coupon of 2.1% and will mature on 28 April 2023.
Jaypee Power Ventures considering sale of Nigrie grinding plant
12 December 2022India: Jaypee Power Ventures' board of directors met on 12 December 2022 to discuss the possible sale of the company's Nigrie grinding plant in Madhya Pradesh. Press Trust of India News has reported that parent company Jaiprakash Jaypee Group's audit committee recommended the sale under proposed measures to reduce the group's debt. The producer had been in talks with Adani Group about the possible sale of its cement business, along with other non-core assets, for US$606m in October 2022.
Jaypee Power Ventures operates 4Mt/yr-worth of cement capacity, 40% of Jaypee Group's total 10Mt/yr.
Nine-month Chilean cement shipments drop by 14%
09 December 2022Chile: Cement shipments fell by 14% year-on-year during the first nine months of 2022, to 3.2Mt from 3.7Mt. The La Tercera newspaper has reported that a construction slowdown impacted on the cement sales of all three of Chile’s cement producers. Cbb’s despatches fell by 18%, Cementos Melón’s by 15% and Cemento Polpaico’s by 9.5%. At the same time, the producers’ expenses rose due to increased costs across transportation, raw materials, fuels, labour, administration and finance. Meanwhile, imported cement from Asia reportedly presents a cheaper alternative for customers.
Sanghi Industries secures financing from Kotak Investment Advisors
06 December 2022India: Sanghi Industries has borrowed US$60.6m from Kotak Investment Advisors. The cement producer secured the funds in the form of non-convertible debentures (NCDs).
Sanghi Industries produces its Sanghi Cement brand cement in Gujarat.
Grasim Industries raises US$123m through non-convertible debentures
01 December 2022India: Grasim Industries has informed investors that it has raised US$123m through allotment of 7.6% rated, listed, unsecured redeemable non-convertible debentures (NCDs).
CRISIL and ICRA have rated the NCDs as AAA (stable).