Europe: Heidelberg Materials Northern Europe has signed a collaboration agreement with Volvo Group for an investigation into the use of electric vehicles in loading and hauling. Under the agreement, Heidelberg Materials Northern Europe will implement a mix of its electric trucks and construction equipment machines in its operations. Land-based transport accounts for 6% of the producer's CO₂ emissions. Through electrification, Heidelberg Materials Northern Europe expects to eliminate 200,000t/yr of CO₂ emissions.

Heidelberg Materials CEO Dominik von Achten said “The partnership with Volvo is a lighthouse project in our industry and has the potential to significantly push the decarbonisation of our entire value chain in northern Europe. We look forward to working together to identify and implement state-of-the-art solutions for a fast climate transition in the construction sector."

India: Adani Group has reportedly entered discussions with five banks in a search to refinance US$3.8bn-worth of loans taken for its acquisition of Holcim India. The Economic Times newspaper has reported that the group aims to secure funding by mid-July 2023. Potential participants in the refinancing round reportedly include Malaysia and Taiwan-based banks, as well as existing lenders Barclays, Deutsche Bank and Standard Chartered.

Uzbekistan: China Energy and the government of Uzbekistan have set a resolution to inaugurate the upcoming 3Mt/yr Samarkand cement plant before the end of 2024. Within the same timeframe, China Energy will launch 400MW-worth of new solar power plants in Bukhara and Kashkadarya. The China-based utilities company will subsequently expand its solar power capacity in Uzbekistan to 1000GW.

Uzbekistan Daily News has reported that China Energy and the government committed to cooperating further on the development of a programme for the implementation of joint projects, including more new 'production plants' and renewable energy infrastructure.

Benin: Société Des Ciments du Bénin (SCB) plans to build a new grinding plant in the industrial zone of Sèmè-Kpodji in Ouémé Department. 24 Heures au Bénin News has reported that the new plant will create jobs for local people in the production of cement for the Benin market from imported clinker.

Afghanistan: Jabal Saraj Cement has more than tripled its production of cement at the Jabal al-Saraj cement plant to 70t/day from 20t/day. Salam Watandar Online News has reported that the company has asked the government to expand the Jabal al-Sarraj plant's capacity to 3500t/day, to better realise the potential of local raw materials and labour.

US: The government has awarded a US$3.24m grant to Washington State University (WSU) for its research towards the development of reduced-CO₂ cements. The research is investigating new formulations, in combination with novel technologies aimed at eliminating CO₂ emissions. WSU is one of 40 recipients of a funding pot worth US$135m.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said "America’s industrial sector serves as the engine of the US economy, producing many of the products we rely on every day, but it also produces a significant amount of the nation’s carbon emissions. These projects funded by President Biden’s Investing in American agenda will slash industrial emissions and accelerate next-generation technologies for a clean energy future that’s made in America.”

Malaysia: Saint-Gobain has signed a definitive agreement to acquire cement boards producer Hume Cemboard Industries. The France-based group said that the company will complement its existing lightweight product offering in Malaysia. Saint-Gobain expects to complete the deal before 1 October 2023.

US: Heidelberg Materials North America inaugurated its 2.4Mt/yr Mitchell cement plant in Indiana on 14 July 2023. The plant is equipped with a 3600 bag/hr rotary packer, and also boasts a 154,000t-capacity clinker storage dome. It will produce Heidelberg Materials North America's EcoCem Portland limestone cement (PLC), alongside other products. The producer said that the new plant will help to address US cement supply chain constraints amid a planned US$110bn infrastructure overhaul.

Heidelberg Materials North America president and chief executive officer Chris Ward said "The plant will reduce CO₂ emissions per tonne of clinker by almost 30%, mainly through operating on natural gas. Our investment in the Mitchell facility helps us lower our carbon footprint, while serving the growing demand for more sustainable products in this key market.”

South Africa: PPC has advised investors that its full-year 2023 results will show a more-than-doubling of its headline loss per share from continuing operations. The group said that its cement sales volumes in South Africa and Botswana fell by 5.8% year-on-year, while volumes in Zimbabwe dropped by 16%. Its subsidiary Cimerwa increased its cement sales volumes during the year by 1%. Despite the local decline in volumes, PPC increased its revenues in South Africa and Botswana by 1.7%. South Africa and Botswana cement sales constituted 46% of group revenues, Zimbabwe cement sales 17% and Rwanda cement sales 15%.

US: Holcim US has announced plans for a 25MW solar power plant to serve 75% of the electricity needs of its Alpena cement plant in Michigan. The company says that the installation at the Alpena plant will be the largest in the US Midwest Region. Holcim US chose NorthStar Clean Energy to build the array, which it says will eliminate 25,000t/yr of CO₂ emissions.

Other planned projects at the Alpena cement plant include an upgrade to the plant's dock in order to accommodate larger vessels and reduce the number of trips in its Great Lakes transport operations.

Holcim US' senior vice president, manufacturing, Michael Nixon said “As Holcim is showing in Alpena, the path to net-zero carbon emissions requires a blend of proactive solutions. Whether it’s using alternative fuels or implementing renewable energy from solar power, we are committed to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels — a goal that will benefit the environment as a whole and the Alpena community we have called home for more than 115 years.”