Austria: RHI Magnesita recorded consolidated net sales Euro2.26bn in 2020, down by 23% year-on-year from Euro2.92bn in 2019. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were Euro140m, down by 53% from Euro300m. Pre-tax profit for the year was Euro42.0m, down by 30% from Euro200m.

The group attributed the declines to lower refractory volumes as a result of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on market demand. It said that customers began re-stocking supply chains at the end of 2020 and into the first quarter of 2021, driving increased refractory demand. Its cement and lime business declined by 21% in 2020. The supplier said that the business recorded a ‘strong performance’ in the first quarter, characteristic of seasonal demand, followed by weak second and third quarters when demand was negatively impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak.

Chief executive officer Stefan Borgas said, “2020 has been the most challenging year that our industry has experienced. Throughout the pandemic, RHI Magnesita has protected the health and safety of our employees, ensured business continuity for our customers and taken initiatives to support liquidity and underpin future profitability. Through one of the severest downturns on record, we demonstrated the resilience of our business model and the outstanding commitment of our people while our strong financial position has enabled us to accelerate investment in our strategic priorities.”

Germany: Former HeidelbergCement technical director Rainer Nobis has published a book entitled Illustrated History of Cement and Concrete. The over 300-page volume traces the development of cement and concrete from prehistory to the present day, exploring the question of how cement and concrete came to be so closely intertwined with our prosperity, way of life and mobility. It is both a technical history and a story of the people who contributed to the development and application of cement and concrete. Nobis described the book as of interest both to cement experts and laypeople. More than 700 pictures accompany the text. Its first edition is available in English and German versions.

The Illustrated History of Cement and Concrete is currently available prior to its launch on online retailers in mid-March 2021.

Germany: Schenck Process has launched CONiQ, a cloud-based software product designed to access data from machines. The company said that it builds the foundation for all digital services of Schenck Process, enabling data-driven maintenance and performance optimisation. Users are able to monitor equipment using CONiQ’s integrated knowledge base. The supplier said that the product will open up ‘new functionalities’ for various cement plant equipment. Its first version will focus on vibrating screens and provide dashboards and functions to improve condition monitoring.

Nigeria: BUA Cement has announced that it will commission the second production line at its Kalambiana cement plant in Sokoto state in July 2021. The Daily Independent newspaper has reported that the upgrade will bring the plant’s cement production capacity to 3Mt/yr. The group intends for the plant to serve the growing domestic cement demand and to stabilise prices.