Global Cement News

Namibia: Immigration authorities have apprehended eight Chinese employees of Whale Rock Cement at the company’s Otjiwarongo grinding plant who failed to produce working permits during an inspection. Namibian Press Agency News has reported that seven of the workers have been in Namibia since mid-2021, while the eighth arrived in March 2022.

Brazil: The General Superintendence of the Administrative Council for Economic Defence (CADE) has approved CSN’s takeover deal with Holcim for the latter’s Brazilian business. The América Economía newspaper has reported that the US$1.03m deal covers five cement plants, among other assets.

Holcim has said that its Latin America region remains strategically important within its global operations.

Vietnam: Vicem Hoàng Mai Cement has announced a full-year sales target of US$79.2m for 2022, down by 1.5% year-on-year from 2021 levels. Its target net profit for the year is US$656,000, more than five times its 2020 figure. The company forecasts cement production of 1.73Mt, up by 11% from 1.56Mt, and clinker production of 1.4Mt, down by 4.1% from 1.46Mt, for the year. It plans to replace 30 – 40% of the natural gypsum currently used in cement production with synthetic gypsum. It will also increase the proportion of ash and slag in its raw materials mix.

The Chúng Khoán newspaper has reported that Vicem Hoàng Mai Cement said that it is experiencing increased costs due to high raw materials and fossil fuel prices. A coal shortage has also disrupted production.

Greece: Titan Cement Group has secured an EU patent for its robotic remote preheater system, previously installed at the company’s Kamari cement plant in Viotia. Titan Cement Group designed the system to maximise operational efficiency and safety.

The company carried out a Euro25m precalciner installation at the Kamari plant in 2021 – 2022.

US: ThyssenKrupp Polysius has won an order for the supply of two of its roll units with compound cast roll bodies at a US cement facility. The equipment will form part of a Polycom high-pressure grinding roll. ThyssenKrupp Polysius’ Germany and US service teams will collaborate on the order, for delivery in March 2023.