Displaying items by tag: Trucks
US facing cement shortage
21 April 2022US: Concrete companies have reported an on-going shortage of cement as a contributor to increased costs in the construction industry. Local press has reported that the shortage is the result of high demand, most notably from commercial projects. A lack of cement truck drivers has reportedly exacerbated the supply situation.
North Carolina-based ready-mix concrete producer Metrocon president Dan Crosby said that his company’s facilities are currently operating at 60% capacity due to the shortage.
Monarch Cement increases sales in 2021
16 March 2022US: Monarch Cement’s net sales were US$212m in 2021, up by 12% year-on-year from US$189m in 2020. Its cement sales volumes increased by 12% year-on-year to 1.2Mt. Monarch Cement invested US$24m in new equipment in 2021, including 27 new ready-mix trucks, six new cement haul trucks, three loaders and two excavators. It plans to launch Portland limestone cement (PLC) products later in 2022.
China: Geely will include electric cement truck battery pack change facilities in its roll out of 5000 vehicle battery change stations across China. Carscoops News has reported that the stations will be able to remove vehicles’ 3.2t, 280kWh battery packs in five minutes and fully recharge them in an hour. Cement truck drivers will be able to access the service via a simple QR code scan.
New Zealand: Golden Bay Cement has obtained two hydrogen-fuelled cement trucks produced by Hyzon. TR Group leased the vehicles to the cement company.
Golden Bay Cement said “These two zero emission green trucks signal the future, and are just another step we take to a smaller carbon footprint across our business.”
Switzerland: Vigier Ciment is operating a self-charging electric dump truck at its limestone and marl quarry in Biel. The 45t truck’s regenerative braking system recharges its 600kwh lithium battery on the downhill trip from the quarry to the primary crusher. Its 65t capacity more than doubles its weight when laden, easily enabling it to recover charge for the return trip. Each trip generates an estimated 10kwh of surplus energy. In ordinary use, this would equate to 77Mwh/yr. It saves 50,000 – 100,000l/yr of diesel and eliminates an estimated 196t/yr of CO2. Green Car Reports has reported that Kuhn Schweiz built the dump truck, based on Japan-based Komatsu’s HB model truck. It is the world’s largest electric vehicle.
Algerian cement truckers protest loading law change
21 February 2022Algeria: Some cement truck drivers have launched protests against a change in the law which limits their vehicles’ loads below the previous maximum weight. The L’Expression newspaper reports that protests include refusals to depart and the establishment of roadblocks. The actions have prevented the export of some Algerian clinker. Lafarge Algérie said that it raised drivers’ pay per tonne of goods following the law change. The company stated that the new level of pay ensures that transporters will not lose out as a result.
Algeria is targeting cement and clinker exports of 10Mt in 2022.
Cemex tests electric concrete mixer trucks
16 February 2022France/Germany: Cemex has introduced electric vehicles into the concrete mixer truck fleets of its subsidiaries in France and Germany. The El Financiero newspaper has reported that, if successful, the test may lead to continued introductions and tests of new prototype zero-emission concrete mixer trucks in its operations.
Holcim Mexico invests in gas and diesel-powered concrete trucks
07 February 2022Mexico: Holcim Mexico has replaced 11% of its concrete truck fleet with 61 new natural gas and Euro V diesel-fuelled Sinotruk vehicles worth US$6.2m. The company says that some of the trucks run on 100% natural gas, reducing both their CO2 and particulate emissions by 25%. Parent company Holcim hopes eventually to roll out Sinotruk vehicles throughout operations in its Latin American region. Each truck has an 8m3-greater capacity than Holcim Mexico’s previous models, and also generates less noise.
Singapore: Pan-United Concrete has started a partnership with Surbana Jurongto study the feasibility of using electric and hydrogen fuel cells to power a fleet of more than 1000 trucks. The agreement is intended to support Pan-United’s sustainability targets to offer only low-carbon concrete by 2030, carbon-neutral concrete products by 2040 and to become a carbon-neutral ready-mix concrete company by 2050.
Yeo Choon Chong, the Chief Executive Officer of Surbana Jurong's Association of Southeast Asian Nations division, said, "We applaud Pan-United's ambition to decarbonise its heavy vehicle fleet and are excited to contribute to its sustainability initiative by leveraging our expertise in electrification and hydrogen solutions. Partnerships are a key method of accelerating our collective efforts to build for a safe, sustainable and resilient future for all."
Bamburi Cement launches Women on Wheels inclusive hiring scheme
20 December 2021Kenya: Bamburi Cement has launched Women on Wheels, a women-centred recruitment programme aimed at encouraging more women into truck driving. The Kenya News Agency has reported that the company plans to recruit at least 100 new cement truck drivers annually under the scheme. Women on Wheels will additionally work to increase health and safety, challenge entrenched sexism and improve working conditions for all of the company’s drivers.
Managing Director Seddiq Hassani said “The gender gap is far from closed, however we are determined to increase the promotion of women in every aspect of our operations.”