Displaying items by tag: UK

India: Ambuja Cements and ACC are planning to participate in parent company LafargeHolcim’s ‘Plants of Tomorrow’ programme. The initiative, which aims to make cement manufacturing more efficient through better plant optimisation, higher plant availability and a safer working environment, is part of LafargeHolcim’s ‘Building for Growth’ strategy, which was launched globally in mid-2019.

The four-year programme implemented by LafargeHolcim aims to create a global network of over 270 integrated cement plants and grinding stations in more than 50 countries by applying automation technologies and robotics, machine learning, predictive maintenance and digital twin technologies to the entire production processes. The ‘Plants of Tomorrow’ initiative is also being implemented in other key markets in Switzerland, France, Germany, United Kingdom, US, Canada and Russia.

“As an industry leader we are looking at 'Plants of Tomorrow’ as a big opportunity and responsibility to place India on the map of global cement manufacturing. This path-breaking project will lead to transformative outcomes not just in terms of operational and financial gains but also make cement manufacturing in the country environmentally sustainable and create a safe work environment for our colleagues across all our plants,” said Neeraj Akhoury, the chief executive officer (CEO) of India Holcim and managing director and CEO of Ambuja Cements.

UK: The UK government has announced Euro58.2m-worth of funding to support infrastructure spending, targeting innovation and technology projects. This will include a scoping study into developing a CO₂ storage testbed that will look at carbon capture and storage on an industrial scale. Other projects include a new radio telescope network, laboratories and Euro18.8m-worth of new digital research infrastructure. The government says that the new infrastructure aims to provide ‘strategic direction’ in the use of science and technology to overcome societal challenges and increase global prosperity. It said that the upgrade will secure the UK’s position as a ‘science superpower’ globally.

Denmark/UK: FLSmidth has signed a global commercial partnership with UK-based carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) Carbon8 Systems to accelerate the cement industry’s carbon neutrality path. The supplier said that CCU is an essential part of its MissionZero pledge to enable zero-emission cement production by 2030. The new partnership will use its global network to extend Carbon8 Systems’ reach in the cement industry. The partnership started in June 2021 and the companies intend to release more details on the commercialisation of the arrangement at a join webinar in October 2021.

Carsten Riisberg Lund, Cement President for FLSmidth said, “The cement industry is pursuing every possible solution to reduce its environmental footprint. CCU is one such technology, with a massive potential, that has reached commercial maturity in recent years.” He added “FLSmidth will work closely with Carbon8 Systems to accelerate the implementation of its technology and we will draw upon our in-depth know-how, our products and our global presence. This agreement is a significant leap forward in our joint efforts to deliver on the sustainability ambitions for the global cement industry.”

UK: A fire at Hanson UK’s Padeswood cement plant was reported on 15 June 2021. Firefighters from the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene and the blaze was extinguished, according to Deeside News. David Quick, plant manager, said that an investigation into the cause of the fire will follow in due course.

Mexico/UK: Cemex has promoted its Vertua admixtures in the UK, with the launch of next generation products in the range. The producer says that Vertua admixtures used in conjunction with its grinding aids, cement enhancers, super plasticisers and accelerators further reduce the carbon footprints of these products. It called green admixtures a ‘fundamental enabler of key innovations’ which will accelerate sustainable urbanisation.

Europe, Middle East and Africa regional urbanisation solutions vice president Marcelo Catalá said, “Cemex’s Vertua range of next generation admixtures, together with our broader array of low carbon, resource-efficient urbanisation solutions, will contribute considerably to building alongside our customers a better and more sustainable future for the cities in which we live.”

UK: Czech Republic-based EP Power Europe has agreed to acquire ash company Power Minerals from Germany-based Steag. The company supplies UK cement production with fly ash via its three sites centred around its Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, headquarters.

Managing director Nigel Waldron said "This deal is a huge vote of confidence in Power Minerals, the broader sector and the UK."

UK: SigmaRoc intends to offer a cement-free alternative for every product in its precast concrete portfolio from January 2022. The producer claims it is the only company to do this. The change will effect products made by its Product Group including Allen Concrete, CCP Building Products and Poundfield Precast. The move follows the launch of its Ordinary Portland Cement free Greenbloc product in February 2021.

Managing director Michael Roddy said, “Greenbloc sets the bar for bringing a cement-free alternative to a traditional building material into mainstream use, but it was only ever the start of our low-carbon journey.” He added “The benefits of using cement as a building material are undisputed from an application perspective, however the carbon required in the manufacturing process cannot be ignored. Our aim is simple. The market is changing and understands the need to acknowledge, address and action a tangible approach to decarbonisation. We want to give architects, contractors and specifiers the choice of using an ultra-low carbon cement-free alternative to precast cementitious products.”

UK: Aggregate Industries has appointed Kirstin McCarthy as its sustainability director as part of its executive committee. She will be responsible for the company’s ambitions to become a leading sustainable business and net-zero company. McCarthy brings over 20 years’ experience in environmental management to the role. Prior to joining the subsidiary of Switzerland-based Lafarge-Holcim business, she was Head of Sustainability at Birmingham Airport for more than six years.

UK: Cemex UK, part of Mexico-based Cemex, has renewed its 100% renewable electricity supply contract with France-based Engie until mid-2024. The supply will cover nearly 200 of its UK sites including its integrated cement plant at Rugby and its grinding plant at Tilbury.

Cemex’s Europe regional head of carbon, legacy landfill and special projects Martin Hills said, “Cemex has a dedicated Climate Action Plan for its global operations which outlines the company’s vision to advance towards a carbon-neutral economy and to address society’s increasing demands more efficiently. The use of renewable electricity at our sites plays an important part in this and we are pleased to have renewed our partnership with Engie for a further three years.

UK: Cemex UK has agreed to trial a new cyclist warning system produced by road safety specialist FHOSS. The supplier says that the system alerts truck drivers to cyclists in their left-hand side blind spot. For the trial, Cemex UK will install the system in a Rugby-based cement tanker, a London-based rigid tipper and six London-based mixers.

UK and France Supply Chain Director David Hart said, “This new safety technology from FHOSS supports our road safety strategy, which is all about helping save lives.” He added, “Operating large cement tanker and aggregate tipper fleets means we are always looking at innovative technology that will aid the driver and protect vulnerable road users.”