Philippines: The Philippines Tariff Commission (TC) has launched an investigation into the possible extension of the safeguard measure against imports of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) Type 1 and blended cement Type 1P. The Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines previously filed a petition for the extension. The TC will hold its preliminary conference on the matter on 8 March 2022.

The commission said “Matters for discussion include the timelines, nature of investigation, appearance of counsel and parties, number of witnesses, notification, accessibility of documents and public file, confidentiality of documents, submission of position paper(s) and memoranda, conduct of inspection and verification of data and schedules of public hearings and other activities.”

Belgium: Cemex has joined the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)’s Corporate Leaders Group Europe in order to lead the corporate transition to a climate neutral economy. The company joins a cross-sectoral body of members from across the EU.

Cemex’s Europe, Middle East and Africa regional president Sergio Menendez said “With its Future in Action programme, Cemex is committed to leading on the road to carbon neutrality. We are proud to join forces with the CISL’s Corporate Leaders Group Europe and other global companies to accelerate the decarbonisation of the built environment. We look forward to working together with the Corporate Leaders Group Europe to help us all achieve our shared climate action goals in Europe.”

Mexico: GCC has reported that a worker at its Chihuahua cement has died in hospital following an explosion on 25 Feburary which injured five others. The company says that it activated all safety protocols in response to the disaster and coordinated its actions with the responding authorities. It continues to support the investigation into the cause of the blast.

The company said “Unfortunately, one of the six injured died in hospital. We are currently in contact with his family, to whom we have expressed our deepest condolences, and with the families of our other injured collaborators to make all our support and resources available to them at this difficult time.”

US: Cemex USA has begun selling Portland limestone cement produced at its Brooksville, Florida, and Demopolis, Alabama, plants across the Southeastern US. The producer says that the cement retains the durability of ordinary Portland cement or is more durable while reducing CO₂ emissions by 10%. Cemex USA aims to increase its PLC production at the plants, and possibly to begin producing it at other US cement plants, in early 2022.

President Jaime Muguiro said "At Cemex, we acknowledge that climate action is one of the most important issues facing our world, and we are committed to being part of the solution. Our company has ambitious emission-reduction targets, and by offering lower carbon products that deliver brilliant performance like PLC, we can continue to work toward those goals while encouraging customers to join us in the journey."

Switzerland: Holcim’s full-year 2021 results show a 16% year-on-year rise in the group’s consolidated sales to US$28.3bn from US$24.4bn. Its recurring earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 26% to US$5bn from US$3.98bn. The group’s net debt also rose, by 18% to US$10.8bn from US$9.17bn.

CEO Jan Jenisch said “2021 was a record year for Holcim, reaching new levels of performance, across our financial and environmental social governance (ESG) targets. What makes me most proud is how we navigated the Covid-19 pandemic with such extraordinary resilience and agility, working tirelessly to keep our people and communities safe.” Jenisch continued “We delivered our Strategy 2022 one year in advance, setting solid foundations for our next era of growth. Putting sustainability at the core of our strategy, we accelerated the deployment of our green building solutions, from ECOPact green concrete and ECOPlanet green cement to smart roofing and energy efficiency systems. My sincere thanks goes to our 70,000 people who made all of this possible while keeping safety top of mind at all times.”

US: Martin Marietta’s full-year consolidated sales were US$5.08bn in 2021, up by 15% year-on-year from US$4.43bn in 2020. Its cement sales rose by 9.3% to US$495m from US$453m. Overall, its adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 9.7% year-on-year to US$1.53bn from US$1.39bn.

The producer said that its Texas cement shipments increased by less than 1% to 1.1Mt in the fourth quarter of 2021. It attributed the record volume to demand growth from large and diversified projects and increased oil well cement demand. Nonetheless, higher energy and raw materials costs ultimately outpaced shipment and pricing gains.

Spain: Cementos Molins says that it recorded Euro986m in consolidated sales in 2021, up by 25% year-on-year from 2020 levels. The group’s earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) also rose, by 18% to Euro242m. Its net profit was Euro105m, up by 12% from the company’s 2020 figure. Throughout the year, Cementos Molins increased its net debt to Euro177m, corresponding to 0.7 times its EBITDA, from Euro74m at the end of 2020.

CEO Julio Rodriguez said “2021 has been another year of major challenges and at the same time of major achievements, with very positive results that show the great commitment of the teams at Cementos Molins.”

Australia: AdBri’s consolidated revenues reached US$1.13bn in 2021, corresponding to a 7.6% year-on-year rise from US$1.05bn. Cement sales constituted 39% of the group’s revenues and rose by 12% year-on-year. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) were US$128m, down by 0.4% from US$129m. The company recorded a net profit after tax of US$85.7m, up by 3.1% from US$83.2m in 2020.

Chair Raymond Barro said “The many challenges of 2021 revealed the strength of our people and the depth of their skills, capabilities and experience. On behalf of the board, I would like to commend (managing director and CEO) Nick Miller, his executive leadership team and all our people for their commitment, dedication and resolve as they have continued to deliver for our stakeholders.”

Indonesia: Indonesia Power says that it has processed coal fly ash and bottom ash from its Adipala power plant into building materials, including cement-free ready-mix concrete, concrete blocks, paving slabs and refractory casts. The energy company also supplies ash to mine reclamation and water neutralisation projects, according to LKBN Antara News. In total, it reused 135,000t of ash by-products in 2021. The company generates 85,000t/yr fly ash and bottom ash.

Sinar Tambang Arthaestari has previous targeted Indonesia Power’s ash products for use in its cement production.

Sri Lanka: Lanwa Sanstha Cement says that it will commission its 2.8Mt/yr Hambantota grinding plant in Mirijjawila Export Processing Zone in early March 2022. The project had previously been scheduled for delivery in January 2022. Lanka Business Online News has reported that China Merchant Ports subsidiary Hambantota International Port Group agreed to supply a 2.4km conveyor belt and two ship unloaders in November 2021. After commissioning the grinding plant, Lanwa Sanstha Cement will proceed with Phase 2 of its work to increase the facility’s capacity to 4Mt/yr.