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Michael Brachthäuser appointed head of Beumer’s cement division
Written by Global Cement staff
07 June 2017
Germany: Michael Brachthäuser has been appointed as the head of Beumer Group’s cement division. The 61-year old was appointed to the role in October 2016. Prior to joining Beumer he worked as the sales manager for a plant engineering company in the cement and ore industry, for an international power plant builder and a supplier of equipment and services for the cement industry.
Ghacem launches academy and app 06 June 2017
Ghana: Ghacem has launched its first ever cement academy and a mobile app that is designed to equip block makers across the country and expand their knowledge regarding cement usage. According to the Commercial Director of Ghacem, Nana Philip Archer, the latest innovation by the company stemmed from three principles; Developing a premium brand, professionalism and the fostering of easy transactions among its stakeholders, especially customers.
“It is not just about producing quality blocks but we want to embark on an educational drive and that is the reason why we have launched the Ghacem Academy,” said Archer. “We are doing this just so we expand the knowledge boundaries of how to use Ghacem cement.”
DMCI hints at cement plant on Semirara Island 06 June 2017
Philippines: DMCI Holdings has once again hinted that it is looking to enter the cement sector, with a potential US$340m investment to make use of low-grade coal and vast limestone reserves in Antique's Semirara Island. DMCI chair and president Isidro Consunji said that the island, where DMCI’s Semirara Mining and Power Corporation already mines coal, has around 1Bnt of limestone. He hinted at a capacity of around 5000t/day, saying, “You only need two 2Mt/yr, so the limestone can last for 500 years if we don't expand.” Consunji added that the cement plant would be capable of using lower grade coal that DMCI cannot use or sell for other purposes.
The company previously made a similar announcement of intent in December 2016.
India: The cement industry is expected to grow at 6-7% in the current 2017-2018 fiscal year, which runs from 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018, according to HeidelbergCement India. The company said that, while infrastructure (including a focus on concrete roads), affordable housing programmes and the prospect of a normal monsoon augur well for the industry, oversupply may restrict the ability to pass on any input cost increases.
Al Safwa signs ash co-operation deal with utility 05 June 2017
Saudi Arabia: Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has signed a co-operation agreement with Al Safwa Cement Company to reuse carbon ash and oil residues byproducts that result from the burning of heavy fuel in power generation plants. They will be used as an alternative source of energy at the cement plant, instead of being landfilled.
Khalid Bin Abdulrahman Al Tuaimi, the executive vice president for the generation at SEC, pointed out that SEC was the first company to adopt this policy. "This will reduce the dependence of the cement plant on heavy fuel, thereby reducing dependence on oil, which is a key element of the Kingdom Vision 2030 to restructure the national economy," he said.