France: Holcim has entered into an agreement to acquire speciality building products supplier PRB Group. PRB Group produces coatings, insulations, adhesives and flooring systems. Holcim says that the company’s product range compliments its own and expands its reach in the high-growth repair and refurbishment market. PRB Group employs 700 people its five plants, 26 warehouses and its research and development centre. Its estimated net sales in 2022 are Euro340m.

Holcim chief executive officer Jan Jenisch said “We are off to a strong start to the new year, on our way to welcoming the PRB Group into the Holcim family. This is another exciting step in the expansion of solutions and products, advancing our Strategy 2025 – Accelerating Green Growth. I am highly impressed by the outstanding achievements of the Laurent family as well as by the expertise and passion of the entire PRB team. I look forward to warmly welcoming all employees into Holcim and to invest in our next era of growth together, with a continued focus on innovation, sustainability and branding.”

Montenegro: State-owned energy supplier Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) has proposed the gradual shutdown of its Pljevlja coal-fired plant and its replacement with a new cement plant. The company said that such a plant would eliminate Montenegro’s 750,000 – 800,000t/yr of cement imports.

The first stage of the Pljevlja power plant’s shutdown will only commence once a replacement power facility is online. Currently, the plant supplies 40% of the country’s energy. Its closure is part of Montenegro’s plan to accede to the EU as soon as 2025.

India: Locals in Odisha’s Malkangiri district gathered in the town of Katamataru on 9 January 2022 to protest plans for the establishment of a new Dalmia Cement (Bharat) cement plant in the area. The New Indian Express newspaper has reported that protestors allege that the state government did not conduct the proper tendering procedures for the proposed plant. More than 2000 people, wielding traditional tribal weaponry, gathered at an assembly. They resolved not to vote at upcoming village council elections if the government continues not to listen to their objections.

US: Lehigh Hanson has finalised arrangements for its acquisition of ready-mixed concrete and aggregates producer Corliss Resources. The company sold 300,000m3 of ready-mixed concrete and 2Mt of of aggregates in 2021. Its operations cover the Greater Seattle, Washington, area.

Dominik von Achten, chair of Lehigh Hanson’s parent company, Germany-based HeidelbergCement, said “The acquisition of the Corliss operations is a great strategic fit with our already strong presence in cement, aggregates and ready-mixed concrete in the Pacific Northwest. The transaction significantly enhances our vertically integrated position in one of the fastest growing US markets. We welcome the 230 Corliss employees to the HeidelbergCement family and look forward to accelerating their growth together."

Kazakhstan: Cyprus-based International Cement Group has announced the temporary closure of its cement plant in Almaty region. Reuters news has reported the reason for the suspension as nationwide political unrest.

Australia: James Hardie has sacked its chief executive officer (CEO) Jack Truong following a course of behaviour in his interactions with 30 – 50 employees which ‘extensively and materially’ breached the company’s code of conduct. After executive chair Mike Hammes cautioned him to change his ways, Truong continued to behave in a manner not consistent with the code over a period of ‘several months.’ The company said that it hired a consultancy and external counsel to confront the issues arising from employees’ complaints, however “Sincere change did not occur.” It added that there were no allegations of Truong having committed discrimination.

Bloomberg News has reported that the former CEO said “I was blindsided by the termination and unequivocally reject the assertions.”

Truong took over as CEO in February 2019. 3M CEO Harold Wiens replaces him.

Senegal: SOCOCIM Industries, a subsidiary of France-based Vicat, has signed a contract with France-based Fives Group for an upgrade to its Rufisque cement plant in Dakar. Under the contract, Fives Group will supply a new 6500t/day kiln line for the 3.5Mt/yr plant. The supplier said that the line will be optimised for alternative fuel (AF) substitution. It said that the companies share mutual trust, 200 years of history and a commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of the cement industry.

Bangladesh: UAE-based Ras Al Khaimah Cement is considering the acquisition of Chimera Investments’ and IHC Holding Company’s stakes in manufacturing and export holding company Apex Holding. Reuters news has reported that the board of Ras Al Khaimah Cement has yet to approve any agreement.

Mexico: Cemex’s total dispatches of its Vertua reduced-CO₂ concrete in Mexico reached 284,000t in 2021. After launching the product in its home country on 8 December 2020, the company supplied it to 3820 sites throughout 2021. Cemex says that it enters 2022 with 1580 orders outstanding.

India: NCL Industries has reported an 11% drop in its cement production in the third quarter of the 2022 financial year (1 October 2022 – 31 December 2022) to 561,000t from 633,000t in the corresponding period of the 2021 financial year. The company’s cement dispatches also fell by 11% in the period, to 558,000t from 625,000t. Meanwhile, its cement board production grew by 16% to 19,900t and dispatches of cement boards remained level year-on-year at 19,100t.