Thailand: Siam City Cement has signed a new contract with US-based SAP Ariba for the further digitisation of its end-to-end procurement processes by using the latter’s software products. The producer first partnered with the company for “sourcing, contracts, catalogues, supplier information management and supplier collaboration” in 2016. Following the latest release in August 2020, SAP Ariba’s products support the Thai language, “making it easier for buyers and suppliers to communicate and transact over Ariba Network.”

Head of group procurement Benjamin Goodwin said, “From the beginning, we saw our procurement transformation as an opportunity to bring more value to the organisation and to our network of suppliers in Thailand and beyond. Our recent renewal of SAP Ariba solutions is a result of the successful partnership cultivated over the years, which set us up to achieve process efficiencies and cost savings from automation, standardization and improved collaboration with suppliers. We look forward to continuing our journey with SAP Ariba.”

Germany: HeidelbergCement has strengthened its climate neutrality commitments by joining the Stiftung 2° support group, a network of private companies lobbying for climate goals. The group says that it wants “to develop cross-sector approaches and concepts for Germany and Europe in order to make climate protection a sustainable and successful business model.”

Managing board chair Dominik von Achten said, "For the development of a carbon neutral construction industry, we need the right social and political framework as well as strong partners with whom we can also be economically successful on our path to climate neutrality. As one of the leading companies in the building materials industry, we have been committed to sustainable construction for a long time. Through our involvement in Stiftung 2°, we want to work with other like-minded companies and set the course for a successful, climate neutral future now."

Americas: Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim has begun its roll-out of ECOPact low-carbon concretes in its Latin America region, launching the product range in Ecuador, Colombia and Mexico to “meet growing demand for green products.” The company says that the launch in other markets will follow in early 2021. It said “this roll-out of ECOPact builds on its successful market adoption across Europe, the UK, the US and Canada.” The producer additionally plans to introduce its ECOLabel “to transparently communicate the environmental benefits of its green cement range” across the Disensa retail network from December 2020, enabling customers to “easily identify products that comply with the company’s green criteria, including lower carbon dioxide (CO₂) footprint and recycled content.” Every country in the region will have at least one ECOlabel product, according to the company.

Latin America regional head Oliver Osswald said, “With the roll-out of the widest range of green building materials in Latin America, we are committed to leading the way in sustainable construction. Building on our region’s excellent third quarter 2020 results, demonstrating strong resilience despite an unparalleled health crisis, Latin America is well positioned to tackle the challenges ahead. We have a clear and unified strategy supported by two strong pillars: a rapidly expanding Disensa retail franchise network, and a fully orchestrated regional push toward green building solutions.”

LafargeHolcim’s Latin America retail network Disensa will reach 2500 stores in 2020, almost double the number in 2018. The company said, “Disensa will become the central network to reach millions of consumers with a diverse product portfolio, based on quality and environmental benefits by offering ECOLabel products on a wide scale. Disensa will also introduce new digital experiences to the buying process and eventually become a full line of stores from Disensa Express to Disensa MAX!”

LafargeHolcim will host the First Latam Virtual Convention for current and potential Disensa franchisees from 25 – 27 November 2020, with participants from eight Latin American countries.

Ireland: CRH recorded earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of US$3.40bn in the first nine months of 2020, up by 2% year-on-year on a like-for-like basis from the corresponding period of 2019. The company said that it now expects full-year EBITDA in 2020 to exceed 2019 levels on a like-for-like basis at over US$4.40bn. Sales fell by 3% to US$20.6b but group added that it had “continued strong cash generation.”

Chief executive officer (CEO) Albert Manifold said, “Markets continue to be impacted by the global pandemic and, while we have seen some lower activity levels, I am pleased to report further improvement in trading performance, with an advance in both profitability and margins. The outlook for the coming months remains uncertain and visibility is limited, however I am confident that we are well positioned for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Greece: Titan Cement has signed a new service agreement with Denmark-based FLSmidth. The agreement covers sustainability, digitisation and productivity support across 17 of the producer’s cement plants in Europe, Africa and the Americas.

Titan Group strategic planning director Antonis Kyrkos said, “We are constantly on the lookout for more efficient ways of running our operation. With this service partnership agreement, we tap into a wealth of knowhow and hundreds of specialists without carrying the full cost. The two-and-a-half-year agreement allows both parties to work strategically on maintenance programmes and upgrade projects based on data and the best allocation of resources.”

FLSmidth Europe, North Africa, Russian and Commonwealth of Independent States regional head of cement sales Carsten Pustelnik said, “The agreement reaffirms our belief in planned maintenance programmes, supported by digitalised processes, as the next level in service optimisations. We have invested heavily in acquiring the skills and infrastructure to provide online condition monitoring and safely handle and analyse data from our customers.”

Philippines: LafargeHolcim subsidiary Holcim Philippines has announced plans to merge with its subsidiaries Bulkcem Philippine Incorporated and MabiniGrinding Mill Corporation. The Philippine Star newspaper has reported that the board has approved the planned merger, and that a special stockholders’ meeting will take place on 15 January 2021 to finalise the transactions.

Bulkcem Philippine Incorporated leases the Iloilo cement terminal in Western Visayas, while MabiniGrinding Mill Corporation leases the Mabini grinding plant in Calabarzon.

The board also approved the dissolution of Holcim’s Business Service Center, HuBB Stores and Services and British Virgin Islands-based WellBorne Group International.

Austria: Loesche subsidiary A TEC has won a contract for the supply and installation of a Flash Dryer for alternative fuels (AFs) in the kiln line of Lafarge Zementwerke's 1.1Mt/yr Mannersdorf cement plant in Lower Austria. The supplier said that it will complete the project in early 2021.

The company said, “Reaching high thermal substitution rates (TSR) requires firing of alternative fuels at the kiln burner. To reach a stable sintering zone for the required clinker quality a high fuel quality (high LCV, small particle size) is needed, otherwise the clinker quality may suffer or the TSR can be limited. With the A TEC Flash Dryer various waste heat sources can be used (clinker cooler flue gas, bypass gas, preheater gas, etc.). The material is dosed to the hot gas flow in the flash dryer and transported with this gas flow, while the moisture is evaporated, to a cyclone and a subsequent filter where the fuel is separated from the gas flow and on-line fed to a kiln burner or a satellite burner. In addition to the drying the lifting effect of the gas can separate 3D impurities which contributes in a further increase of the fuel quality.”

Germany: Denmark-based COBOD has supplied its BOD2 3D construction printer to the site of the world’s first 3D printed commercial apartment building in Wallenhausen, Bavaria. COBOD partner PERI will use the product to print a 380m² complex, consisting of five apartments across three stories.

General manager and founder of COBOD Henrik Lund-Nielsen said, “We are incredibly pleased, that we are beginning to see the fruits of the many 3D construction printers we have sold. The actual building projects have been delayed by the Coronavirus outbreak, but now they start to be revealed. This new German project is really a great milestone as the commercial nature of the building proves the competitiveness of the 3D construction printing technology for three floors buildings and apartment buildings. This, again, opens entirely new markets for our printers.”

Vietnam: The government of Quang Ninh Province has ordered the closure of two cement plants in Ha Long, the 2.0Mt/yr Ha Long cement plant and 2.3Mt/yr Thang Long cement plant, to close in 2030. The Viet Nam News newspaper has reported that the closures aim to protect the local environment and nature as part of the city’s move towards becoming a tourism and service hub centred on Cua Luc Bay. In 2014 the provincial government advised the cement plants to stop expanding and relocate before 2030.

Indonesia: The La Tofi School of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has named Semen Indonesia as the winner in three categories at the Nusantara CSR Awards 2020. Indonesia Government News has reported that the three categories are: Health and Economic Assistance for Emergency Management of Covid-19, Leaders Inspiring CSR Practices and Community Involvement in Handling Waste.

General manager of CSR Edy Saraya said that the Covid-19 outbreak requires “integrated countermeasures, including the involvement of all components of society.” He added, “Through the programme implemented, we hope to help prevent and control the spread of Covid-19 and to be able to accelerate the implementation of (health protocol) adaptation of new habits. Especially for those affected by the pandemic, it can improve the economy of the community and the environment around the operational area."