Global Cement News

India: The Indian Department of Mines and Geology has fined Trishul Cements around US$13.6m for the alleged unlawful extraction of 14,000t of limestone from the Konuppalapadu limestone mine in Andhra Pradesh. The Times of India has reported that the state government terminated its lease of the land in relation to Trishul Cements in February 2020. Investigations unearthed continued mining activity at the site in Anantapur District, along with two other companies’ sites in the Muchakota forest area of the district.

Germany: CRH subsidiary Opterra’s Karsdorf cement plant has been awarded a Concrete Sustainability Council (CSC) Gold certificate for ecologically, socially and economically responsible cement production, including in its supply chains. The company says that it achieved top marks across 96% of audited areas.

Chief executive officer (CEO) Danilo Buscaglia said, “The CSC certification leads to a continuous increase in the sustainable management of the cement and concrete industry. With this in mind, the Karsdorf plant has provided evidence of responsible behaviour in an extensive auditing process. We are proud that we have achieved gold certification status. At the same time, the good results are an incentive for us to continue working on improvements in the manufacturing process and in product development.”

Bangladesh: LafargeHolcim Group subsidiary LafargeHolcim Bangladesh has launched Holcim Water Protect, a water-resistant cement “developed through the company’s in-house product innovation and manufacturing capabilities in collaboration with the Innovation Centre of LafargeHolcim Group.” The product is “scientifically formulated and customised for the Bangladesh market by leveraging LafargeHolcim Group’s Smart Blend Technology (SBT). Holcim Water Protect ensures reduced capillary action, resisting the permeation of water thus making it damp and seepage resistant.” The company says that use of the product will result in “stronger and more durable homes” compared to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC).

Chief executive officer (CEO) Rajesh Surana said, “We are delighted to introduce our most innovative and premium product Holcim Water Protect for our customers in Bangladesh. This product has been developed through continuous consumer engagement, research and thorough understanding of the damaging impact of water on houses. Given the heavy rainfall in Bangladesh, we believe that Holcim Water Protect shall help our customers build their dream homes, free from dampness and seepages.”

Japan: Sumitomo Osaka Cement has formulated a set of medium-term goals and long-term policies in order to enable it to achieve carbon neutrality, in line with the Japanese government’s target, by 2050. These consist of a 30% reduction in energy-derived carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions intensity between 2005 and 2030 and efforts toward carbon neutrality in energy and process-derived emissions by 2050. These efforts include: “reduction to the limit of fossil energy, development and introduction of process-derived CO₂ emission reduction technology, carbon-free electric power, technology development and supply expansion related to low-carbon cement and concrete products, development and supply of innovative bonding materials and development and introduction of innovative technology related to carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS).”

UK: The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has launched an updated version of its biodiversity strategy, first published in 2013. The new strategy “commits the MPA and its members to continuing to take a positive approach to nature conservation and recovery, leaving behind more and better quality habitats than before mineral extraction and a net gain in biodiversity wherever possible, through site selection, management, restoration and aftercare,” according to the association. It sets out the commitment under eight actions, which include “monitoring to identify what works best and inform future work, sharing and celebrating good practice and successes throughout the industry, influencing policy and using our assets to engage and educate.”

Chief executive officer (CEO) Nigel Jackson said, “The minerals industry is uniquely placed to contribute to conservation and enhancement of biodiversity and has an unrivalled legacy compared to other industrial sectors. I am immensely proud of what our members have achieved and excited about what they can and will do in the future. It is high time that our significant contributions are properly recognised by policy and decision makers, to help provide our members with the support to continue doing what they do best. I believe we may be the only business sector that has been actively contributing to nature recovery at scale for so long that our strategy is unique. I will not rest until government, particularly the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), acknowledges that environmental expertise and action is not the sole preserve of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and activists. Our members have built a significant legacy and have vast practical experience of working in and with the environment to enhance and protect nature. We don’t just talk a good game, we deliver it on the ground.”