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Rexnord introduces Smart Coupling products 06 December 2017
US: Rexnord has added Smart Coupling to its portfolio of products that use its industrial internet of things (IIoT) Smart Tag. The mechanical components manufacturer says that its range of connected products can monitor equipment parameters providing operational analytics that can be used to increase system performance. Its coupling and shaft products, including elastomeric, disc, grid, and gear coupling products as well as torque limiters, are used in a variety of applications across industries including the material handling sector.
Indian ministry considers exemption for cement plants from petcoke and furnace oil ban 05 December 2017
India: The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MEF) is considering exempting cement plants and power companies from a ban on using petcoke and furnace oil for industrial use in Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Additional solicitor general A Nadkarni informed the Supreme Court that the use of petcoke in the cement industry was ‘minuscule,’ for non-fuel purposes and that it is used for de-sulphuring, according to the Hindustan Times. However, the exemption, if granted, will only be allowed for one year to allow cement companies to switch to alternative fuels.
The Central Pollution Control Board and the MEF issued the ban following a directive from the Supreme Court in late October 2017 prohibiting industries in the three neighbouring states of Delhi from using the polluting fuels. Use of petcoke and furnace oil is already banned in the capital region. The ban was imposed following high pollution levels in Delhi.
Shanxi introduces water metering standards for cement producers 05 December 2017
China: Shanxi province has introduced water metering rules for industrial users, including cement producers. Under the new regulations, reported upon by Reuters, Xinhua and the local Development and Reform Commission, companies that exceed mandatory water usage standards will have to pay incremental charges. The levies range from doubling the cost of water if usage exceeds levels by less than 20%, to five times the cost and the threat of cutting off of water supplies if usage standards are exceeded by more than 60%. The province also has a target to cut its dust pollution by 40% over the winter.
Adelaide Brighton signs gas and electricity deals 05 December 2017
Australia: Adelaide Brighton has signed new gas and electricity contracts in South Australia. It has entered into an agreement with Beach Energy for the supply of gas to its South Australian operations. It has also entered into an agreement with Infigen Energy for the supply of its electricity requirements to the Birkenhead and Angaston cement plants and Klein Point Quarry on the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. The new agreements are intended to manage the company’s energy requirements and costs following a series of blackouts in the region.
The cement producer said that its energy strategy includes: a portfolio approach to energy supply and procurement benefits; consumption management and operational efficiency; the aim of obtaining 30% of energy supply from alternative fuels in the medium term; use of alternative cementitious materials in place of more energy intensive products; cost recovery through vertical integration and long term customer relationships; and financial strategies.
Mining ministry and BUA Group argue over mining dispute 05 December 2017
Nigeria: The head of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has publicly rebutted accusations by Abdulsamad Rabiu, the chief executive officer (CEO) of BUA Group, that the ministry and Dangote Cement have ‘sabotaged’ operations at the company. Rabiu made the allegations in a letter sent to President Muhammadu Buhari, according to the This Day newspaper.
Rabiu says that the rival cement company and the ministry colluded in a legal dispute about operations at Okpella in Edo State and mineral resources. Allegedly, a militia attempted to damage the cement plant before security forces intervened. Later government officials and police tried to stop work at a BUA Cement mine despite on-going legal action.
Mohammed Abass, the head of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, responded by describing Rabiu’s accusations as, “…an unwarranted campaign of calumny against the ministry.” He added that the cement company was attempting to blackmail the ministry into granting a ‘free pass’ for illegal operations. The ministry says that it issued a Stop Work Order for the disputed mine in 2015 but that BUA Group ignored it and has continued to work at the site whilst the legal case was pending. Later, the staff of BUA Group resisted an attempt to shut the site down in mid-November 2017.