Displaying items by tag: Product

Switzerland: Holcim recorded 7.4% year-on-year growth in its organic sales to US$15.3bn in the first half of 2023. However, in real terms, its sales fell by 11% year-on-year from US$17.1bn during the first half of 2022. Its sales of cement grew by 13.8% on an organic basis to US$7.93bn, down by 21% in real terms from US$10bn. Cement constituted 52% of revenues, compared to 58% in the first half of 2022. Holcim's group share of net income rose by 9% to US$1.47bn from US$1.35bn.

Chair and chief executive officer Jan Jenisch noted 'continued profitable expansion' in the growing North American market and 'accelerated green growth' in the group's Europe and Latin America regions. He said “In line with our Strategy 2025 - Accelerating Green Growth, we reduced our overall CO₂/net sales by 18% while building billion-dollar brands with ECOPact and ECOPlanet. It’s exciting to be at the forefront of decarbonising Europe with three additional grants from the EU Innovation Fund for our carbon capture, utilisation and storage projects, making us the first in our sector with five projects supported by the EU. We look forward to finishing the year strong and to further decarbonising building.” Jenisch concluded that the results 'confirm Holcim’s strong positions across all markets, delivering superior profitability and growth with leading sustainable building solutions and brands.'

Canada: Holcim subsidiary Lafarge Canada has successfully transitioned its Richmond cement plant to exclusively producing ECOPlanet reduced-CO2 cement. The company says that cement produced at the plant in British Columbia will offer at least 30% reduced CO2 emissions compared with ordinary Portland cement (OPC).

Lafarge Canada West president and chief executive officer Brad Kohl said “This is a proud moment for our organisation. This conversion in Lafarge’s Western Canada division highlights our strong commitment to accelerating green growth."

Nigeria: Lafarge Africa has applied to the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to use the product name Roadcem for its CEM-II Portland limestone cement (PLC) when sold in bulk. The Nigeria Tribune newspaper has reported that Lafarge Africa supplies PLC in bulk for use as a soil stabiliser in roadbuilding. It sells supplies the product bagged to retailers as Classic PLC.

SON certified Lafarge Africa's PLC under its Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme.

Germany: Dyckerhoff has launched Dyckerhoff Weiss Blue Star, a pozzolanic white cement CEM IV/A (P) 42.5 R product. It was approved by the German cement association, the VDZ, in mid-June 2023 and is now being manufactured at the Amöneburg plant. The lower CO₂ credentials of the new product have been promoted as it releases around 15% less CO₂ compared to CEM I cements. It is also notable for being a blended white cement.

Nigeria: Lafarge Africa's Roadcem product has been approved by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. The product is a cement additive that is used for soil stabilisation in road construction projects. It was developed to improve the characteristics of soils before they are used for the base, sub-base or sub-grade construction in roads.

Osita Ezedozie, the Director of Highways (Materials, Geotechnics & Quality Control), of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, said “Following the improved performance observed from the tests, pilot study and evaluation of Roadcem over ordinary Portland cement in soil stabilisation, approval has been granted for the introduction and use of Roadcem for stabilisation of soil in highway pavement sub-base course construction. At 5% Roadcem content, the stabilised sharp sand complies with all the specification requirements for a sub-base course and also achieves higher stability at a lower cost than stabilisation with ordinary Portland cement.”

Nigeria: Lafarge Africa has launched the Eco Label brand, as part of its wider UniCem brand, to promote its sustainable products. Products within the new branding have a lower 30% carbon footprint compared to the local industry standard. The formal unveiling of the new branding took place at the Mfamosing cement plant in Calabar.

Khaled El Dokani, the chief executive officer of Lafarge Africa, said “Lafarge Africa is proud to be the first local cement manufacturer of eco-friendly cement to the Nigerian market. With the rollout of this Eco brand, we are accelerating the transition to more sustainable building materials for greener construction.”

Europe/India: Finland-based Betolar has secured EU-wide and Indian patents for a new waste-based alternative concrete produced without cement and capable of storing energy. Betolar said that the material, which is already patented in Finland, is especially suited for use in renewable energy infrastructure, where it can provide a storage solution for dealing with short-term peaks. Chief commercial officer Ville Voipio said that the company will now seek to establish a partnership for commercialisation of its new alternative building material.

Betolar produces and markets the Geoprime additive used to produce cement-free concrete from supplementary cementitious materials, including ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), in regions that include India and the EU.

Argentina: Holcim Argentina has commissioned its new 120,000t/yr mortar plant at its Malagueño cement plant in Córdoba. The plant cost US$5m to build. It is equipped with six 100t raw material silos and eight 1t additive silos. It also has a 2000l mixer, three packing machines and an automated palletiser. Holcim Argentina says that the plant will produce its Tector Adhesive and Tector Revoques ranges of mortar.

Holcim Argentina chief executive officer Christian Dedeu said “This new plant is aligned with our purpose of generating progress for people and the planet, accompanied by a diversification of our product portfolio. It consolidates us as the leading company in innovative solutions for construction.”

Philippines: Holcim Philippines introduced Holcim Optima, a blended Portland limestone cement (PLC), on the Philippine market on 8 June 2023. The Business Mirror newspaper has reported that Holcim Optima cement offers 10% reduced CO₂ emissions compared to ordinary Portland cement (OPC).

President and CEO Horia Adrian said that Holcim Optima cement 'delivers the same strength, workability and durability as OPC and remains compatible with other cement additives such as slag and fly ash. The new product is best used in large building projects and available in bulk.' Adrian added "It is a timely product for the Philippines, as infrastructure building accelerates and green demand grows."

UK: SigmaRoc subsidiary CCP has launched Greenbloc Standard, Ultra and Premium. The new designations correspond to 50%, 80% and 100% cement substitution. Professional Builder News has reported that Using Greenbloc Standard reduces structures’ CO₂ emissions by 77% compared with structures built with conventional ordinary Portland cement (OPC)-based blocks. For an average semi-detached house, this is equivalent to 2.7t of CO₂.

CCP general manager Phil Rotheram said “The expansion of our Greenbloc range continues our commitment to sustainable alternatives to our product offering as we fully commit to the challenges of removing embodied carbon from the built environment.”

Greenbloc Ultra featured in a gold medal-winning garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023 in May 2023.