Displaying items by tag: Holcim
Holcim invests in Neustark
20 September 2023Switzerland: Holcim has invested in CO2 mineralisation technology developer Neustark. Neustark aims to remove 1Mt of atmospheric CO2 by 2030 and sequester it in recycled construction and demolition waste. The company’s technology achieved Gold Standard certification as a method of CO2 removal in March 2022. Holcim says that its investment advances its group commitment to putting clean technologies to work towards achieving net zero.
Holcim’s Europe regional head Miljan Gutovic said "At Holcim, we are working to decarbonise building for a net zero future, and Neustark's technology helps us reach this goal. After the successful demonstration of Neustark's solution in Switzerland, we are ready to scale up this carbon removal technology globally."
Argentina: Holcim Argentina has awarded a contract to 360Energy to supply 30,000MWh/yr of electricity from its solar power plants. La Voz del Interior newspaper has reported that 360Energy will supply the energy from its 200MW network via the Renewable Energy Term Market (MATER). This will cover 75% of Holcim Argentina’s power consumption, corresponding to the production of 2.7Mt of cement. This will eliminate 68,600t/yr of CO2.
Holcim Argentina chief executive officer Christian Dedeu said “I am very happy because we are taking a new step in our commitment to zero emissions in Holcim's operations, and we will continue working every day to build progress for people and the planet.”
Holcim US rebrands Boston businesses
13 September 2023US: Holcim US has rebranded its businesses in Boston, Massachusetts, to unite them under the Holcim name. Resources News has reported that Lafarge Cement, which operates the Charlestown cement terminal, as well as building materials producer Aggregate Industries, will rebrand as Holcim US.
Holcim US’ Northeast and Great Lakes regional senior vice president and general manager Domenico D'Aqui said "With the integration of local legacy operations into Holcim, the Boston area will see expanded benefits of construction projects made from innovative materials, such as ECOPact reduced-CO2 concrete, that not only build needed infrastructure but also meet ambitious sustainability targets."
Holcim seeks to acquire outstanding Holcim Philippines shares
12 September 2023Philippines: Holcim plans for its subsidiary Holderfin to make a tender offer for all remaining shares in Holcim Philippines by 28 September 2023. Altogether, minority shareholders control a 5.1% stake in the producer. The Manila Bulletin newspaper has reported that Holderfin ended its previous tranche of tenders for Holcim Philippines shares on 30 August 2023.
Holcim launches Innovation Hub
06 September 2023Switzerland/France: The Swiss multinational building materials producer Holcim has launched a global Innovation Hub to accelerate sustainable building at its Global Research & Development Center in Lyon, France. The Hub showcases Holcim's innovative and sustainable building solutions to scale up low-carbon, circular and energy-efficient buildings. Spread across three floors, it offers working spaces to host start-ups and think tanks to accelerate innovation together. It will also serve as a platform to explore the future of sustainable cities and their construction via interactive exhibits and events.
The showroom showcases how Holcim is decarbonising building across its lifecycle, featuring low-carbon materials like ECOPact concrete and ECOPlanet cement products, roofing and insulation systems that drive energy efficiency - from Elevate boards to Airium, and circular construction solutions, such as its proprietary ECOCycle circular technology platform to recycle construction demolition materials into new building solutions.
Nollaig Forrest, Holcim’s Chief Sustainability Officer, said, "It's a very exciting time for the building sector, with so much momentum in innovation to advance sustainable solutions. At Holcim we want to partner with the best and brightest innovators to accelerate the transition to low carbon, circular and energy-efficient buildings. Our Innovation Hub, within our Global Research & Development Center, is designed to host partners from start-ups to architects to explore new solutions together."
Six dormant cement plants reportedly received Euro88m in European Union emissions allowances
05 September 2023Europe: Six cement plants were reportedly issued around Euro88m in free European Union emissions allowances (EUA) from 2019 to 2022 despite the clinker kilns at the units being idle or running at low levels. Research by the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) has revealed that plants operated by Buzzi, Cementos Portland Valderrivas (CPV), Cemex, Holcim and Votorantim Cimentos all benefited from the scheme despite only emitting 36,370t of CO2. The companies would then have been able to use the subsidy to cover emissions costs at other plants or sell the permits. OPIS identified five plants in Spain and one in Germany.
Lafarge Egypt confirms aim to reduce CO2 emissions by 2030
04 September 2023Egypt: Lafarge Egypt has confirmed that it is aiming to reduce its CO2 emissions in excess of 20% by 2030. Its key steps to achieve this include increasing its use of alternative fuels and lowering its clinker factor, according to the Daily News Egypt newspaper. Chief executive officer Jimmy Khan added that the company is also working on developing digital methods to reduce emissions by improving transport logistics. The cement producer launched its Shatbna Masonry Cement product in 2022, part of parent company Holcim’s ECOPlanet range.
Holcim has set a worldwide target to reduce its gross Scope 1 CO2 emissions from cement production of 22% by 2030 from a baseline of 590kg/t in 2018. It reported a 5% reduction to 562kg/t in its 2022 sustainability report. Ultimately the group is targeting net zero emissions from its activities by 2050.
Bamburi Cement’s half-year profit hit by tax claim in Uganda
04 September 2023Kenya/Uganda: Bamburi Cement’s profit after tax has been adversely affected by a tax claim in the first half of 2023. The cement producer said that its profit after tax was reduced due to the “settlement of corporation tax matters in Uganda.” Its turnover grew by 11% year-on-year to US$153m from US$138m in the same period in 2022. However, its profit after for tax fell by 7% to US$604,000 from US$652,000. As well as operating plants in Kenya, the subsidiary of Switzerland-based Holcim runs Hima Cement in Uganda.
Reporting by the Business Daily newspaper has revealed that the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) started a review in 2020 of Hima Cement’s transfer pricing compliance between 2014 and 2018. The URA then raised its corporation tax assessment for Hima Cement in December 2022. Bamburi Cement has also faced additional penalties and interest charges from the Kenya Revenue Authority.
Nigeria: Lafarge Africa has installed a new bag filter at its 3.9Mt/yr Ewekoro cement plant in Ogun State. The filter cost US$8.51m. Lafarge Africa says that the equipment has successfully reduced the plant’s dust emissions to below 50mg/Nm3. The company said that it has made ‘significant adjustments’ to its production activities, besides introducing air quality measurement systems across a 10km radius of the plant.
Lafarge Africa’s head of health, safety and environment Rachael Ezembakwe said “Care for the environment and for our host communities is built into all aspects of our operations within the country. Our social impact is focused on the areas of the most need: education, empowerment, health and safety, and shelter/infrastructure.”
France Ciment estimates cost of national cement industry decarbonisation at Euro3.5bn
30 August 2023France: The French cement sector association, France Ciment, has called on the government to make ‘heavy investments’ in the industry amid its on-going transition to net zero CO2 cement production. It estimated the total cost of its transition, which will include carbon capture, at Euro3.5bn,according to Les Echos newspaper. The association said that producers currently benefit from the government’s partial price cap on electricity for industrial plants. It sought clarity as to whether the cap will remain in force beyond its scheduled limit in 2025. Lafarge France said that capped prices covered 50 – 60% of its electricity consumption in 2022.