Displaying items by tag: concrete

Mexico: Cemex says that it is involved in a working group “focussed on the application of FastCarb aggregates to concrete production” as part of its efforts towards net-zero CO₂ concrete production. FastCarb, administrated by the US-based International Research and Exchanges Board, is a project aimed at the production of aggregates from recycled concrete containing trapped carbon dioxide (CO₂) requisitioned from industrial exhaust streams.

Cemex said, “After completing the first phase of the experimental approach at the laboratory level with promising preliminary results, the project is now entering the second phase seeking to tackle the industrial approach. In this industrial approach phase, Cemex was recently assigned to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of the carbonated recycled concrete aggregates when used in ready-mix concrete in the laboratory facilities at the Cemex France National Technical Centre.”

Pakistan: The upcoming Diamer Basha Dam and 21MW Tangir Hydropower Project will use concrete made from Ordinary Portland Cement mixed with fly ash and other additives. The Frontier Works Organisation said, “This reduces thermal loads on the dam and reduces chances of thermal cracking,” according to China Daily News. The Chinese-backed project is scheduled for completion in 2028.

Germany: HeidelbergCement has reported the successful resurfacing of a section of Federal Motorway 5 (BAB 5) between Karlsruhe and Frankfurt using a concrete made from low-alkali cement produced at its 1.4Mt/yr-capacity Schelklingen, Baden-Württemberg integrated cement plant. The company used over 3600t of cement to produce the 12,000m³ of concrete required for the 3.2km stretch of road. Traffic infrastructure product manager Klaus Felsch said, “The cement’s low alkali content significantly reduces the risk of an alkali-silica reaction and maximizes the durability of the concrete.”

Nepal: Ashden Environment and the United Nations Science, Technology and Innovation Forum have awarded Build Up Nepal their respective highest awards for its low-cement disaster-resistant concrete blocks. The Nepal Time newspaper has reported that the blocks contain a mix of 10% cement, 40% clay and 50% sand, all sourced from near Build Up Nepal’s Mitra Marg, Patang plant. The company has supplied its unique building materials to projects in 300 different communities, including the construction of 4500 homes. It says that the blocks, reinforced with iron rods, have a greater earthquake resistance than concrete.

Build Up Nepal said, “Interlocking brick is a highly suitable construction technology in Nepal, reducing the cost of construction as well as the carbon footprint of building a house. With this technology Nepal's houses can be stronger, more affordable and its air cleaner.”

Colombia: Cementos Argos Colombia has reported on its situation and shared its business outlook as it returns to full operations post-coronavirus lockdown. The company says that 1700 people are currently active in operations, with 910 working from home and 660 on furlough. In May 2020 it served 5300 customers, down by 74% year-on-year from 7210 in May 2019. Cement volumes fell by 41% and concrete volumes by 43%. 44 of Cementos Argos Colombia’s 58 concrete plants were operational, and 73 of its 92 work centres.

During the lockdown period the company completed over 100 new infrastructure project supply contracts. Cementos Argos Colombia regional vice president Tomás Restrepo said, “We are confident in a positive future, in our resilience, in the ability to face challenges and that we have extraordinary talent who are aware of the importance of self-care and who work every day on good ideas to continue to be the best allies of our client.”

Switzerland: LafargeHolcim has announced its participation in a project aimed at increasing the height of wind turbine towers by producing larger bases on-site using 3D concrete printing technology. LafargeHolcim will supply concrete for use with Denmark-based COBOD’s 3D printing technology, while US-based GE Renewable Energy backs the project. The method enables bases to exceed the 4.5m maximum diameter necessitated by road transportation. This increases the maximum height of turbine towers by 100% to 200m from 100m, which in turn raises power generation by 33% to 20.2GWh/yr from 15.1GWh/yr.

LafargeHolcim research and development head Edelio Bermejo said, “Concrete 3D printing is a very promising technology for us, as its incredible design flexibility expands the realm of construction possibilities. Being both a user and promoter of clean energy, we are delighted to be putting our material and design expertise to work in this ground-breaking project, enabling cost efficient construction of tall wind turbine towers and accelerating access to renewable energy”

Finland: Lujabetoni says it has begun work on a new 80 - 100m3/hr ready-mix concrete plant in Kuopio, Northern Savonia to replace its existing plant in the town. The new unit, which will serve construction projects throughout the region, will have an improved raw materials heating system. The plant is scheduled for completion in late 2020 or early 2021.

Azerbaijan: Cement producers produced 0.91Mt of cement in the first quarter of 2020, down by 8.7% year-on-year from 1Mt in the first quarter of 2019. Ready-mix concrete production rose by 9.9% to 0.46Mt from 0.51Mt, while the total value of construction materials produced fell by 4.5% year-on-year to US$120m from US$126m. The decline was attributed to a decrease in demand due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Switzerland/US: LafargeHolcim has announced the extension of its partnership with Solidia Technologies to mid-2020. Cash News has reported that the partnership, which has seen a 30% reduction in LafargeHolcim’s overall CO₂ emissions since its formation in mid-2013, aims to achieve a 70% reduction in the producer’s carbon footprint.

Peru: Cementos Pacasmayo has reported a first-quarter profit of US$3.14m in the first quarter of 2020, down by 65% year-on-year from US$7.00m in the same period of 2019. Sales fell by 4.4% year-on-year to US$87.9m, from US$92.0m. Despite having increased by 13% year-on-year in the first two months of 2020, cement, concrete and precast sales volumes fell by 6.0% to US$81.5m from US$86.7m.

Cementos Pacasmayo said that it has suspended all production and sale of its products since 16 March 2020 in response to the national state of emergency due to the coronavirus outbreak. It said, “We are unsure when operations will be allowed to restart.”