India: Adani Group's flagship company, Adani Enterprises, has clarified that it is 'not evaluating' the possibility of acquiring Jaypee Group's cement business. Bloomberg has previously reported that Adani Enterprises was in 'advanced talks' to acquire the 10Mt/yr-capacity business for US$606m.
Golden Bay Cement uses 80,000t of waste in EcoSure reduced-CO2 cement production to date
New Zealand: Fletcher Building subsidiary Golden Bay Cement has co-processed 80,000t of waste in production of its EcoSure reduced-CO2 general-purpose cement at its Golden Bay, Whangarei, cement plant. The plant has achieved a coal substitution rate of 50%. It has processed various waste streams, including 3 million used tyres. EcoSure cement generates CO2 emissions of 699kg/t of product, 20% less than its imported alternatives, according to Golden Bay Cement. Fletcher building CEO Nick Traber said that this figure is 'simply our starting point.' The company's next target is to achieve a 30% CO2 reduction by 2030.
Traber said "We needed to think outside the box, or rather the cement bag to be more precise. The challenge was around what enhancements we could make to our manufacturing processes at our Golden Bay cement works in order to improve the plant's sustainability. We quickly realised that consuming used tyres and wood waste as alternative fuels was a win-win. When we started with the idea in 2015, we were aiming to replace 15% of coal with end-of-life tyres. Fast forward to 2022, and our rate of coal substitution is now at 50%, which has obviously delivered further reductions in carbon emissions, as well as helping to offset increased coal costs."
Birla Corporation buys Marki Barka coal mines
India: Birla Corporation won bidding for Madhya Pradesh's Marki Barka coal mines on 15 October 2022. The producer said that the asset will provide fuel security and cost optimisation for its cement operations.
Kogi State government orders closure of Dangote Cement's Obajana cement plant
Nigeria: The government of Kogi State ordered Dangote Cement to shut down its Obajana cement plant within 48 hours on 13 October 2022. Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello also ordered the release of impounded Dangote Cement trucks across the state.
Bello thanked Kogi residents for their “resoluteness in the ownership impasse between Dangote Group and the state government.” He added, "While the state government recognises the right of the citizens to peaceful protest, as we witnessed across the state yesterday, we urge people to remain civil and law abiding and to give room for constitutionalism. Breakdown of law and order will not be in the interest of anyone."
Lorry drivers blocked the Abuja - Lokoja road in protest against the closure on 14 October 2022, according to the Advocate newspaper. Meanwhile, a gang has raided the plant, destroying property and shot firearms at the 27 employees who remained on site.


