Global Cement News

US: Holcim US has appointed TotalEnergies to install, maintain and operate a 33MW solar power plant and 38.5MWh battery system at its Florence, Colorado cement plant. By storing energy with the battery system, the plant can relieve demand on the grid at peak times. Holcim will receive roughly 71,000MWh/yr of renewable energy under a minimum 15-year power purchase and storage services agreement (PPSSA). The partners expect the new systems to reduce the plant's CO₂ emissions by 40,000t/yr and its energy consumption by 40%.

Holcim North America’s vice president for procurement Atl Martinez said "As we work to accelerate green growth across the US, it's critical that we come to the table with partners who share similar goals around circularity and renewable energy. This initiative with TotalEnergies demonstrates an ongoing determination to transform our operations and lower our carbon footprint. It's a milestone investment that will decrease our reliance on other sources of energy and shrink our utility costs through a powerful combination of clean energy and efficient operations."

China: Gansu Qilianshan recorded a net profit of US$110m in 2022, Reuters has reported. The figure corresponds to a drop of 20% year-on-year from US$138m in 2021.

China/Germany: CBMI Construction and mill supplier Gebr. Pfeiffer have signed a cooperation agreement to supply integrated calcined clay plants to the global cement industry. The partners say that their plants will offer clay calcination and grinding, giving cement producers a high performance solution, all in one place.

CBMI Construction and Gebr. Pfeiffer have carried out numerous recent cement projects in overlapping geographies, including Western and Southern Africa and Russia.

Saudi Arabia: Eastern Province Cement has invited contractors to bid for work on the construction of its planned 10,000t/day Najibiyah clinker plant in Basra Governorate.

Trade Arabia News has reported that the producer also plans to upgrade multiple decommissioned lines at its 3.5Mt/yr Al Khursaniyah cement plant.

Belgium: Holcim Belgium has received an environmental permit for the kiln upgrade for its 100% decarbonisation of its Obourg cement plant. Agency Belgium News has reported that the upgraded kiln will employ a 'new incineration concept' to enable it to replace limestone with alternative raw materials. It will reduce the plant's thermal needs by 40% and its CO₂ emissions per tonne of clinker by 30%. Construction will commence in late 2023. The kiln replacement will support a carbon capture installation as part of the GO4ZERO project.

The first phase of the GO4ZERO project is running from 2022 to 2025, and commands total investments of over Euro350m.