Global Cement News

Russia: Germany-based Wacker has opened an additional laboratory in Moscow. The development site will focus on water-repellent silicone additives for cement and concrete. Mechanical pressure tests and ultrasound and temperature measurements are among the services that the new laboratory offers for water-repellent treatment of cement and concrete. The site is part of Wacker’s Innovation Hub for Cement and Concrete.

Wacker opened its first technical laboratory in Moscow in 2003. Both Wacker Silicones and Wacker Polymers now operate multiple labs in Moscow for construction chemical products. The new laboratory also hopes to collaborate with local universities and testing facilities and the first projects have already been commissioned.

Australia: First Graphene has started a five year collaboration research and development agreement with construction chemicals manufacturer Fosroc International to develop its PureGraph graphene-based cement additive product range. First Graphene will provide access to its formulation and dispersion process technologies and Fosroc will take responsibility for additive raw material supplies and formulations, mixing and dispersion and extensive laboratory trials. The objective of the deal is to jointly develop a range of PureGraph-enhanced cement additives that Fosroc will add to its portfolio of specialty products.

Michael Bell, the managing director and chief executive officer of First Graphene, said, “The agreement with Fosroc is a significant further step for First Graphene as we implement our go-to-market plan to become the world’s leading supplier of graphene-enhanced cement and concrete solutions. Fosroc has significant penetration into multiple global markets that will be highly beneficial in helping expand our reach and educating the market on the significant benefits, including emission reductions, that graphene-enhanced products provide.”

First Graphene says that the clinker factor of cement can be reduced by up to 20% through the use of its PureGraph additive products during the final grinding phase of cement production.

Kenya: Savannah Cement plans to build an 2.5Mt/yr clinker plant in Kitui, Kitui County. The Standard newspaper has reported that the company has announced a US$352m bond issuance in order to raise funds for the project.

India: UltraTech Cement has entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire 100% ownership of National Limestone Company for US$3.09m. National Limestone Company’s parent company Ghadiya Group bought it from Holcim subsidiary ACC for US$2.5m in November 2020.

Puerto Rico: Cemex Puerto Rico has successfully renewed its licence for use of Pier 16 at the Port of San Juan until 2042. Puerto Rico Ports Authority executive director Joel Pizá Batiz estimated Cemex Puerto Rica’s contribution to the territorial economy to be US$20m in 2020 and its total investments in the island to be US$400m.

The Metro Puerto Rico newspaper has reported that Puerto Rican cement consumption was 590,000t in 2020.