05 October 2015
EPA settles major air pollution case with Cemex in Puerto Rico 05 October 2015
Puerto Rico: The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that Cemex de Puerto Rico will spend US$1.7m on pollution controls that will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides. In addition, the company will pay a US$160,000 penalty for Clean Air Act violations.
"Nitrogen oxides emissions can lead to a number of serious health and environmental problems, including respiratory problems, heart disease and smog," said Judith A Enck, EPA regional administrator. "The EPA settlement protects children with asthma and other vulnerable populations from harmful air pollution by requiring that Cemex install state-of-the-art technology and take immediate steps to reduce pollutants."
The Cemex cement kiln system in Ponce has operated for over 20 years and is a major source of nitrogen oxide emissions. The settlement addresses modifications Cemex made to its cement plant without obtaining the proper permit, as required by the Clean Air Act. Businesses that produce large quantities of air pollution are required to obtain permits and install pollution control technology before making changes that would significantly increase emissions.
Following an EPA inspection, Cemex conducted a smokestack test at its Ponce facility and potential violations were discovered. In the settlement, Cemex will install control technology, which will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides by approximately 1423t/yr.
Police raid fake cement factory in Maharashtra 05 October 2015
India: The Madhav Nagar police raided an industrial unit manufacturing fake cement in the industrial area of Dewas Road, Maharashtra and arrested five people working in the unit on 3 October 2015. The accused allegedly filled empty UltraTech Cement bags with ACC cement and then passed it off on the market as original.
The police also seized hundreds of sacks of fake cement kept in the cement plant, a truck and equipment used in the process. According to the Indian National Press Bombay, the accused collected expired cement bags kept in storehouses and thereafter mixed spurious substances with it, then repackaged the bags with logos of a reputed cement company. They then sold it at a reduced price to the public and wholesalers. The police also found thousands of empty sacks of leading cement companies inside the factory premises.
India: The real estate developers' association Credai has moved the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against cement manufacturers that it claims have unduly increased the cost of cement. Credai has also highlighted the violation of CCI's 'cease and desist' order of 2012 by cement manufacturers, according to a statement from the industry body.
Credai said that the cost of raw materials used in cement manufacturing fell between January 2015 and September 2015, but that cement companies have not passed on the benefit to customers. Hinting at a cartel-like operation, it was also alleged that cement companies seem to be working together to control supply and prices. Housing and other real estate sectors account for nearly half of the cement demand in India. Despite low demand, cement prices have jumped by 20 – 40% in top cities across the country in the past couple of months.
"It is unfair that the cement manufacturers indulge in practices that control the prices of cement. The CCI has warned cement manufacturers in the past as well, but it is unfortunate that they seem to be continuing with their price and market manipulation," said Credai national president Getamber Anand.
At its annual general meeting in September 2015, Credai's board took the decision to stop procurement of cement from companies like UltraTech, Lafarge and others that unilaterally increased cement prices in the past month.
Oyak orders KHD equipment for Aslan Çimento plant 05 October 2015
Turkey: Oyak Aslan Çimento has awarded KHD Humboldt Wedag a contract for engineering and delivery of equipment to upgrade its cement grinding line at its plant in Darica-Kocaeli. The installation will be Oyak's seventh KHD roller press at the facility.
The contract to install a new Comflex grinding system will increase the capacity of cement grinding unit no. 1, by more than 100% and save approximately 20% energy. KHD's scope includes the engineering and delivery of mechanical and electrical equipment, as well as advisory supervision of erection and commissioning for the new Comflex SC20-3250. This will be KHD's fourth Comflex grinding unit and 15th roller press system with a V-Separator in Turkey.
The core equipment to be designed and delivered by KHD, as specified in this contract, includes a Comflex SC20-3250 clinker grinding system with:
- Roller Press RPZ 20-170/180 with Rolcox system for control and monitoring
- Cascade separator, type VS 620 as static classifier
- High efficiency separator Sepmaster, type SKS-VC 3250 as dynamic classifier
- System fan HKF 190/280
The new Comflex system will be integrated with the existing ball mill system. However, according to KHD, a primary reason Aslan Çimento chose KHD's Comflex for this project is it's ability to produce finished product without a ball mill unit. The commissioning of the new Comflex system is planned for 2016.