22 September 2017
Lafarge North America completes upgrade of Ravena Cement plant 22 September 2017
US: Lafarge North America, a subsidiary of LafargeHolcim, has officially opened the upgrade to its Ravena cement plant in New York. The upgrade work took three years at a reported cost of US$300m.
“By modernising the plant, we have transformed it into an efficient, competitive and state-of-the-art facility that will allow us to meet the growing needs of our customers and remain a strong partner to the community for the foreseeable future,” said John Stull, chief executive officer (CEO) US Cement, LafargeHolcim. He added that the plant has supplied cement for high profile projects, including the Tappan Zee bridge reconstruction and One World Trade Center Memorial.
Upgrade work focused on building a new clinker production line to modernise the previously wet process plant. Following the work the plant now has a clinker production capacity of 2Mt/yr with improved emissions levels and higher operational performance.
Cementos Cienfuegos restarts production following Hurricane Irma 22 September 2017
Cuba: Cementos Cienfuegos has gradually restarted production following Hurricane Irma hitting the island in early September 2017. Electricity was restored to the site on 14 September 2017 enabling the cement mills to be operated. The kiln was ignited on 19 September 2017, according to the 5 de Septiembre newspaper. Components damaged by the storm included the insulation covering electrofilters on the plant’s tower, broken power cables and a breach to a water dyke near the site.
Potosí cement plant build drained by issues with water supply 22 September 2017
Bolivia: Ramiro Heredia, the technology manager of Empresa Publica Productiva Cementos de Bolivia (ECEBOL), says that the company has an issue with the water supply to the new Potosí cement plant it is planning near Chuitara. The cement producer has asked the local government for help, according to the El Potosí newspaper. Once operational the plant will require 6.5l/s, although it will be able to cope with 3.5l/s during the construction phase. ECEBOL is also due to sign a contract with Empresa Nacional de Electricidad (ENDE) to provide electivity to the unit. Construction at the site is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2018.
Blackstone buys Schenck Process 22 September 2017
Germany: Private equity company Blackstone has agreed to buy Schenck Process from IK Investment Partners. No further details, including the cost of the transaction, have been disclosed.
“Schenck is an innovative and unrivalled leader, and we see considerable opportunity to grow the business both organically and by acquisitions in its various end markets. We are excited to team up with management and accompany Schenck in the next stage of its development,” said Lionel Assant, Head of European Private Equity at Blackstone.
Detlef Dinsel, Partner at IK Investment Partners and advisor to the IK 2007 Fund said that Schenck had, “…transformed its business focus from a mechanical manufacturer to a service and integrated solutions provider, achieved significant growth by expanding the product portfolio and entering new markets both organically and through selected add-on acquisitions.”
Schenck develops and manufactures solutions for a wide range of industrial processes including weighing, feeding, conveying and filtration. With over 2300 employees worldwide and significant operations across Europe, North and South America, China, India and Australia, Schenck serves a diversified customer base across a variety of industries, including food, chemicals, mining and construction.
Vortex Global appoints Alpha Engenharia as Portuguese representative 22 September 2017
Portugal: Vortex Global has appointed Alpha Engenharia as its representative agent in Portugal. A subsidiary of the company Ana Beco Malheiro, Alpha Engenharia began activities in 2015. It provides technical and commercial assistance across industries in regards to automation, instrumentation, valves and accessories.