Global Cement News

Malaysia: Cahya Mata Sarawak has informed its customers that its cement despatches will be 'back to normal' by 6 November 2022. The producer's closure of its 1Mt/yr Kuching cement plant for maintenance, followed by unexpected raw materials supply issues, has caused a shortage of cement in western Sarawak State. Bernama Daily Malaysian News has reported that a 14-day delay to raw materials deliveries to the Kuching plant ensued due to heavy rains.

The producer said “We would like to apologise for the shortage of cement, and will strive to ensure a steady supply of cement to all of our customers.”

Cahya Mata Sarawak has successfully maintained regular supply of cement to other areas of Sarawak, including Bintulu, Miri and Sibu, through despatches of cement from its Bintulu grinding plant.

Switzerland: Holcim increased its consolidated sales by 14% year-on-year during the first nine months of 2022 on a like-for-like basis, to US$22.8bn from US$19.9bn. Its recurring earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) rose by 6.5% to US$3.74bn from US$3.53m. The group’s cement segment’s sales volumes were 139Mt, down by 1%. The segment contributed US$13bn in sales, up by 14%. Concrete sales volumes were 36.6Mm² , up by 4.1%. During the reporting period the group completed its divestment of its operations in India and Brazil and derived cash proceeds of US$7.3bn. Overall net sales grew in all five of the group’s business regions on a like-for-like basis with particular growth noted in the Americas. Cement sales volumes fell in Asia Pacific, Europe and Middle East Africa.

Thailand: Siam Cement Group (SCG) recorded revenues of US$11.8bn during the first nine months of 2022, up by 15% year-on-year from US$10.2bn in the corresponding period of 2021. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) declined by 26% to US$1.37bn from US$1.86bn.

SCG recorded nine-month costs growth of 15%, to US$3.29bn from US$2.85bn. The Bangkok Post newspaper has reported that the group says that its monthly energy costs have risen by 50% since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war. As such, it is currently focusing its investments on three ‘key’ business areas with smaller energy consumptions than cement. These are smart living, renewable energy and logistics.

SCG renewables subsidiary SCG Cleanergy aims to more than double its renewable power generation capacity to 500MW before 2026 and further increase it to 5GW before 2028. This will consist of wind farms and roof-mounted and floating solar power plants. Meanwhile, SCG Logistics Management secured approval to merge with JWD InfoLogistics on 26 October 2022.

Germany/Australia: Calix subsidiary Leilac has concluded a licence agreement with Heidelberg Materials for use of its carbon capture technology. The cement producer holds the licence indefinitely and for all operations across the globe. It said that Leilac’s technology offers effective capture of unavoidable cement plant CO₂ emissions with minimal operational impact.

Heidelberg Materials currently has one Leilac system installed at its Lixhe plant in Belgium. It expects to commence construction of a second unit at its Hanover plant in Germany in 2023. Together, the installations will be able to capture 125,000t/yr of CO₂. The producer says that both projects pave the way for future full-scale deployment of Leilac’s carbon capture model.

Australia: Cement Australia’s Gladstone cement plant in Queensland will host a study of methanol production from green hydrogen and captured CO₂. Japan-based Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company will supply its green methanol production technology, while hydrogen and oxygen feedstocks will be sourced locally. Cement Australia and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company will collaborate on commercialisation of their green methanol. Cement Australia said that carbon capture and its utilisation in value added products is a strategic pillar of the company’s decarbonisation roadmap.

The cement producer said “The Gladstone region is the ideal location for growing a diverse green hydrogen sector, with abundant renewable energy sources, existing infrastructure, including port facilities, and a highly skilled workforce. The green hydrogen economy is a priority for the Queensland government under the Queensland Hydrogen Industry Strategy.”