Displaying items by tag: lowcarbon cement
Holcim US invests in Midwest operations
05 April 2024US: Holcim US has announced an investment of US$20.5m in its Midwest operations. A key component of the investment is the new 35m-high cement storage dome in Fremont, Nebraska, which will increase its production capacity of ECOPlanet low-carbon cement. The dome has the capacity to store 50,000t of cement. Construction of the dome, which began in 2021, has contributed to local economic development and job creation at the terminal.
In line with the Nebraska Department of Transportation's blended cement requirement, the cement blended and distributed at the terminal incorporates natural pozzolan, a binding agent, to produce a lower carbon product compared to ordinary Portland cement.
Saint-Gobain invests in low-carbon cement technologies
15 March 2024France: Saint-Gobain is intensifying its commitment to low-carbon cement and concrete additives. The group has invested in Fortera, a start-up developing a process for low-carbon cement production. Fortera's ReCarb process reduces CO2 emissions by 70% in existing cement plants, contributing significantly to the goal of net-zero carbon cement production, especially when combined with renewable energy. Additionally, Saint-Gobain supports Ecocem, a leading company in low-carbon cement technologies in Europe, as a shareholder. Ecocem's ACT technology showcases a 70% reduction in carbon footprint compared to the average CEM II cement used in Europe.
Holcim Azerbaijan to build cement terminal in Jabrayil in 2024
19 December 2023Azerbaijan: Holcim Azerbaijan plans to build a 2000t-capacity cement terminal in the Araz Valley Economic Zone in Jabrayil. AzerNews has reported that Holcim Azerbaijan will build the terminal in phases, commencing in 2024. The producer’s offering in the local market includes its ECOPlanet Inshaatchi and ECOPlanet Optimal reduced-CO2 cements. In a later phase, it will install a dry adhesive and ready-mix concrete batching plant at the facility. Planned investments at the site total US$2m.
Commercial director Sergiu Stoicov said "We aim to bring new methods to help the construction industry build sustainably. Through Inshaatchi and Optimal, we are taking a step in the race for CO2 reduction and the use of alternative raw materials. Holcim Azerbaijan is the first company in the Caucasus to offer green cement.”
Azerbaijan produced 3.42Mt of cement throughout the first 11 months of 2023. This represents a 4.1% year-on-year rise from 11-month 2022 levels. Meanwhile, clinker production rose by 10% year-on-year to 3.51Mt.
Cemex raises European reduced-CO2 cement volumes to 20% of sales
11 December 2023Europe: Cemex says that sales of reduced-CO2 cement from its Vertua range comprised 20% of its sales in Europe by volume in November 2023. The range includes Vertua Supreme cement, which offers 55% lower CO2 emissions than ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Cemex attributed its success in developing Vertua Supreme cement to advances in product design and manufacturing technology, including the use of hydrogen in its cement kilns.
Siam Cement Group's sales dip in first half of 2023
10 August 2023Thailand: Siam Cement Group (SCG) recorded sales of US$7.22bn in the first half of 2023, down by 17% year-on-year from US$8.69bn. Cement and building materials accounted for US$2.6bn (36%) of sales, behind chemicals at US$2.74bn (38%). The company's earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) dropped by 24% to US$915m from US$1.21bn. Meanwhile, its profit excluding extra items dropped by 49% to US$279m from US$543m. Cement and building materials contributed 78.5m (28%) of group profit, down by 38% from US$126m (23%).
During the first half of 2023, sales of alternative CEM-I and CEM-II cement rose above 50% of SCG's cement sales for the first time, compared to 41% throughout 2022. The group substituted 22% of all cement fuel with alternative fuel (AF) across its operations, and 22% of cement fuel in its Thai domestic business. SCG invested US$91.5m in capital expenditure in its cement and building materials business throughout the first half of 2023.
Titan Group commissions upgraded Kamari cement plant
27 June 2023Greece: Titan Group has successfully commissioned an upgrade to the pre-calciner system of its Kamari cement plant in Voiotia. Titan Group says that this will enable the 3.1Mt/yr plant to expand its range of lower carbon cements, reducing its CO2 emissions by 150,000t/yr. It also increases the plant's maximum possible alternative fuels (AF) substitution rate.
Titan Group’s Europe regional executive director Yanni Paniaras said "The completion of the Kamari plant upgrade represents a significant achievement for Titan Group. We are witnessing tangible results as our green innovation gains momentum and takes shape. This successful implementation of one of our major capital expenditure projects exemplifies our dedication to sustainable operations and strategic growth, while we continue to pursue more growth opportunities in all our active markets. We are committed to offering our customers and communities greener products and solutions, playing our part in building a sustainable future for all.”
US: The Portland Cement Association (PCA) hosted a one-day session in mid-June 2023 aimed at establishing guidelines for the definition of 'low carbon' cement and concrete. The association called the session a 'Critical first step' towards ensuring clarity for stakeholders.
The PCA said "Low carbon is increasingly defined in the eye of the beholder, with little or no regard to either upstream and downstream impacts or short-term and long-term strength, durability and resilience concerns."
LafargeHolcim US launches TerCem blended cement
02 December 2021US: LafargeHolcim US has announced the launch of TerCem, a blended cement which offers 65% reduced CO2 emissions compared to ordinary Portland cement (OPC), according to the company. LafargeHolcim US will produce TerCem at its Whitehall, Pennsylvania, cement plant. The product joins its ECOPlanet low-carbon cement range.
Senior vice president sales Patrick Cleary said "We are leading a market transformation and taking a step towards a net-zero future. Our cement organisation has invested heavily in broadening the industry's range of superior sustainable products designed to lower our carbon footprint with no compromise in quality and long-term durability."
Canada, Germany, India, the UAE and the UK to support development of low-carbon cement and concrete markets
15 November 2021World: The governments of Canada, Germany, India, the UAE and the UK have signed a commitment to support the development of markets for low-carbon cement and concrete in their countries. The governments will create market incentives for purchasers, review and update product standards to allow low-carbon materials to be used in all safe settings and promote their use through their public sector tendering rules.
World Cement Association (WCA) chief executive officer Ian Riley said “I’m delighted to see that governments are heeding our call for urgent action to accelerate decarbonisation of the cement industry around the world, and we look forward to hearing more details from the UK, India, Germany, Canada and UAE on the steps they will take.” He added “This commitment marks a hugely significant shift in mindset that we hope will be followed by other countries in the months ahead. When it comes to hard-to-abate industries like cement, it is vital to work together with governments to create the conditions in which we can get to net zero and beyond, as quickly as possible. We cannot do this alone in time.”
Holcim acquires Polcalc and Utelite Corporation
27 September 2021Poland/US: Holcim has announced two new acquisitions in the area of raw materials and aggregates. In Poland, it has acquired granulated calcium carbonate producer Polcalc. The company employs 78 people. In the US, the group has acquired Utah-baed Utelite. The company produces lightweight aggregates and employs 40 people.
CEO Jan Jenisch said “We are pleased to welcome the employees of Utelite and Polcalc and look forward to their experience and capabilities. These two bolt-on acquisitions strengthen our presence in two important growth markets while contributing to Holcim’s overall strategy to expand our range of low-carbon products and solutions.”