Global Cement News

Ukraine: PrJSC Kryvy Rih Cement, under the initiative of Concorde Capital founder Ihor Mazepa, will build a 24MW power generation facility to ensure continuous plant operations, according to Interfax Ukraine. The project will reportedly cost around US$15m, with a payback period of three to four years.

Ihor Mazepa posted on Facebook "This is a necessary measure to keep business from stopping. In general, I see the prospect of investing in energy projects. Therefore, in a short period we will build 40MW of storage capacity, which will balance the energy market. We see a good return on investment in the amount which can reach up to 30% depending on the market development scenario."

Saudi Arabia: Southern Province Cement and Yanbu Cement have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to evaluate a potential merger. The due diligence process will assess various aspects including operational, technical, financial, legal and actuarial factors, according to Mubasher.

The memorandum was signed on 23 June 2024 and is set to expire in 12 months unless a merger agreement is reached beforehand. The feasibility of the merger will depend on agreement on final terms, regulatory approvals and endorsements from both companies' general assemblies.

Bolivia: Cement exports from Bolivia have dropped significantly, falling from US$10.5m in 2017 to just US$0.2m in 2023, as reported by the National Institute of Statistics and the Bolivian Institute of Foreign Trade (IBCE). Bolivia’s main export market is Paraguay, with over 95% of cement exports heading there. The decline reportedly began when the Paraguayan government started to protect its local industry by limiting imports, according to CE NoticiasFinancieras.

Global: Heidelberg Materials has launched the sixth edition of the Quarry Life Award, encouraging global participation to develop sustainable quarry management solutions. Open to researchers, students, communities, non-government organisations (NGO) and nature enthusiasts, the competition offers a prize fund of around €300,000 and aligns with the company's commitment to the Global Goal for Nature. Partnering with organisations like BirdLife International, the initiative aims to enhance biodiversity at extraction sites. Since its inception in 2011, the Quarry Life Award has spurred over 450 projects aimed at biodiversity protection. The 2025 edition will see Heidelberg Materials open its quarries for selected projects, with Türkiye, Egypt, Kazakhstan and Indonesia joining as new participants.

Chief sustainability officer Nicola Kimm said "The Quarry Life Award is a key element of our biodiversity strategy, which relies on strong partnerships with stakeholders to engage across science, industry, and local communities. To truly move from biodiversity loss to gain, a concerted effort is needed by everyone, working together in the recovery of nature at a landscape scale."

Germany: Berlin-based AI startup Alcemy, in partnership with German cement producer Spenner, has produced a commercially viable low-carbon cement alternative named ‘CEM X’. This product reportedly reduces carbon emissions by 65% and has less than 30% clinker content, according to the company. The composition incorporates a blend of 33% granulated blast furnace slag and 37% limestone.

Alcemy CEO Leopold Spenner said "With 'CEM X,' we have reached a significant milestone on our journey to decarbonising the cement industry.”