US: Forney LP has appointed Peter Jones as Platform Sales Manager for its ForneyVault construction materials testing (CMT) software platform.

Prior to joining Forney, Jones was Senior Municipal Software Specialist/Multi-Link Division for Link Computer Corporation in Bellwood, Pennsylvania. He also worked as Commercial Account Manager/Natural Resources for W W Grainger of Pittsburgh. He also spent 12 years with Sysco Food Services in Pittsburgh, last serving as Business Development Manager. He holds a bachelor's degree in management, accounting and finance from Hiram College in Ohio.

Forney LP sells products in the materials testing industry with a focus on material testing equipment for cementitious materials like cement, mortar, grout and concrete for the construction industry, downhole cement and proppant materials for oil and gas industry, and general metals testing. It sells its products to more than 75 countries. Its corporate headquarters is located near Zelienople, Pennsylvania with manufacturing facilities and stocking warehouses in the eastern and western US.

France: Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies has begun construction of its second cement plant, called H2. The company will build the plant next to its existing H1 plant in Bournezeau, Vendée, using its clinker-free cement made from blast furnace slag, clay and gypsum. It will have a capacity of 250,000t/yr and cost Euro22m.

Co-founders Julien Blanchard and David Hoffmann said “This second plant is a key milestone in our development plan in order to increase our production capacity. H2 will enable us to address the growing demand for our clinker-free low-carbon cement, as we have recently signed a number of partnerships with key construction players such as Groupe GCC, KP1, Capremib, Cemex and Eiffage Génie Civil. We would like to congratulate our teams, as this second plant is the result of a multitude of challenges taken up in 2020 in order to increase production capacity. It is the rare combination of an exceptional industrial performance and a minimised environmental impact. This structure demonstrates our industrial excellence and perfectly and genuinely materialises our intent to decarbonise the construction sector.”

Head of new construction Olivier Lefelle said “This second plant represents a major and structuring step. The choice of a vertical model for the mixing tower is an innovative concept in the construction sector and is perfectly in line with Hoffmann Green’s responsible vision. Furthermore, by using Hoffmann cement for its construction, this building site will enable CO₂ emissions to be reduced by around 20,000t.”

Spain: LafargeHolcim subsidiary Holcim España has informed the works council and employees of its Jerez de la Frontera cement plant of possible planned changes to the plant’s production structure. The company intends to convert the cement plant into a grinding-only facility. The reasons for the decision were regional overcapacity, falling export volumes and prices and reduced allocations of EU CO₂ emissions credits. It says that under the plan the new grinding plant would continue to serve the market in the region. The communication constitutes the beginning of a collective dismissal process.

General director Isidoro Miranda said that the company wants “to work with the social partners to reach an agreement that allows the continuity of our activity in the town of Jerez.”

Turkey: The Turkish Cement Manufacturers’ Association (TÇMB) has announced that it will be continuing its work under the new name of TürkÇimento.

Chair Tamer Saka said “We've witnessed enormous changes in managerial, social and economic areas for a while, like all the countries of the world. In this environment of transformation and uncertainty, which is even more complicated with the pandemic in which institutions like us have a great responsibility to direct the future. The most important aim of our association is to carry our sector, which is the most important player of the Turkish economy, forward with the experiences of our institution. We will achieve this as a sector with social sensitivity which generates added value, maintains corporate confidence, invests in humans and pioneers in digitalisation, technology and innovation." He added "We are embarking on a new vision journey to bring our industry to the forefront with its pioneering, socially sensitive, sustainable and innovative activities and practices and to raise awareness among stakeholders of all our activities as a pioneer for more and better.”

The organisation represents the interests of 66 plants in the country.

Spain: Cementos Molins has increased its stake in concrete design specialist Escofet to 76% from 37%. The company says that it hopes to retain the public architecture producer’s management team. It said that it will integrate the subsidiary under its prefabricated concrete division to combine industrial expertise with design excellence.

Chief Executive Officer Julio Rodríguez said that the company’s 2020 – 2022 strategy prioritises “both organic and inorganic growth,” seeking new acquisitions while “maintaining financial discipline and selecting projects where the return on investment is clear."

Germany: Continental has strategically sharpened its conveying solutions and services profile by unifying all products, technologies and services under the Continental brand. The company said that the unification complements an optimisation and extension of the portfolio in both belts and digital products. In 2021 it will launch drone-based monitoring services for conveyor systems.

Conveying solutions services head Andreas Bakenhus said “We see fast-changing requirements in our markets. A few years ago, our customers asked for high-quality, long-life belts. Now, construction, industry and mining companies are looking for safety, quality, efficiency and productivity gains. Our customers are requiring integrated solutions covering the entire value chain around a belt from commissioning, consulting and training to digital monitoring and on-site maintenance. Additionally, energy-optimised belts, new business models and sustainability aspects will play a crucial and competitive role in the future.” He concluded “Basically, we understand it as our job to offer service levels that allows our customers to fully concentrate on their core business.”

Conveying solutions head Hannes Friederichsen said “Decisive drivers are our customers. In this way, our customers and partners will benefit from a stronger and trusted global product portfolio from a single source. Thus, we will further be joining forces to continue our customer-centric business approach.”

Philippines: Cemex Philippines Solid Cement plant in Antipolo has lifted a new rotary kiln into position as part of a US$235m installation of a new production line at the site. Once complete the new line will add 1.5Mt/yr to the unit’s production capacity increasing the total to 3.4Mt/yr. The new production line will reuse waste hot gases to dry raw materials and high efficiency bag filters reduce improve emissions control. Cemex is also using its proprietary Low Temperature Clinker technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

"This milestone demonstrates our full commitment to the development of the country and brings us closer to further strengthening our position in providing the infrastructure and building needs for economic development," said Ignacio Mijares, the chief executive officer (CEO) and president of Cemex Holdings Philippines.

China-based CBMI Construction has been contracted to build the new line. It lifted the new kiln in two days. Tong Laigou, chairman and general manager of CBMI Construction, said that the CBMI and Cemex Philippines' teams worked under strict protocols to secure the safety of the site.

Pakistan: Cherat Cement plans to spend US22m on an upgrade to Line 1 at its integrated plant in Nowshera district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The project includes the installation of a new crusher and general maintenance on the production line.

Belgium: IKN was presented with the first clinker from a modified calciner and IKN cooler installed at the CBR Cement integrated Antoing plant on 24 December 2020. The cement sector engineering supplier said, “We thank everybody involved for their determination and efforts in this challenging project: in spite of Coronanirus and a tough schedule there was no compromise on safety!” CBR Cement is a subsidiary of Germany-based HeidelbergCement.

Peru: Cement and clinker production fell by 14% year-on-year to 9.14Mt and 39% year-on-year to 5.54Mt respectively in 2020. Data from the Association of Cement Producers (ASOCEM) shows that production fell significantly during March to May 2020 at the same time as a coronavirus-related lockdown. However, ASOCEM reports that cement sales from August to December 2020 were higher than the historical monthly averages. Exports of cement and clinker fell by 28% to 0.14Mt and 56% to 0.31Mt. Imports of cement decreased by 7% to 0.72Mt but clinker imports grew by 7% to 0.67Mt.