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Aumund Brazil to supply conveyor to Votorantim’s Xambioá cement plant 02 September 2020
Brazil: Aumund Brazil will supply a type BZB bucket apron conveyor to Votorantim’s Xambioá integrated cement plant in Tocatins. It will replace a pan conveyor being used to transport clinker from the cooler to the silo. The new conveyor will have a centre distance of 92m and a conveying capacity of up to 170t/hr. The upgrade is expected to reduce dust levels at the site. Supply and commissioning of the new bucket apron conveyor in Xambioá is due to take place in October 2020. The order follows a previous order to Aumund for a similar project at Votorantim’s at Vidal Ramos plant in Santa Catarina.
RHI Magnesita invests Euro30m in Brazil 02 September 2020
Brazil: RHI Magnesita plans to spend Euro30m towards building a rotary kiln in its mining site at Brumado, Bahia. The upgrade is expected to increase the production at the unit by more than 30% as the kiln is designed to process up to 140,000t/yr. The announcement follows a planned investment of nearly Euro40m towards the construction of a new headquarters for its South American operations in Contagem, Minas Gerais that was revealed in 2019.
“This investment in the construction of a rotary kiln with innovative technology will enable us to develop a new portfolio of raw materials, in addition to those already available on the market. The new raw materials include noble sinters at very competitive costs on the international market. This will bring operational flexibility, the ability to offer differentiated value-added products to our customers in the Brazilian market, and will put us in an even more competitive position in the global environment,” said Francisco Carrara, president of RHI Magnesita in Brazil and South America. He added that the group was seeing a ‘considerable’ recovery in the steel and cement segments in Brazil.
Cement Industry Workers’ Union wins Hermosillo cement plant workers collective representation contract 02 September 2020
Mexico: Workers at Holcim Mexico’s 1.6Mt/yr Hermosillo cement plant in Sonora have voted to award a contract for their collective union representation to Confederation of Workers of Mexico (CTM) member Cement Industry Worker’s Union (STIC). The El Economista newspaper has reported that 50 workers at the plant, which employs 95 people, voted for the STIC. The runner up, the National Union of Mine, Metal, Steel and Allied Workers of the Mexican Republic (SNTMMSSMR), garnered 17 votes.
The STIC said, “In the framework of this day, under an atmosphere of respect and civility, with rich and enthusiastic participation, the workers have chosen the Cement Industry Workers Union as responsible for continuing to represent with honour the workers of this noble industry."
LafargeHolcim defends itself against River Seine pollution finding 02 September 2020
France: LafargeHolcim has said that Lafarge Béton is not responsible for the discharge of ‘particles of cement, treatment liquids and plastic microfibers’ from its Bercy concrete plant in Paris Department. The La Télégramme newspaper has reported that the plant has been under environmental inspection since late August 2020. The company says that the pollution resulted from a single incident ‘caused by malicious parties’ who knew of the on-going investigation.
The mayor of Paris has contacted the public prosecutor to request a criminal action against LafargeHolcim.
Global Cement and Concrete Association announces 2050 Climate Ambition 01 September 2020
UK: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has published its 2050 Climate Ambition, a joint industry commitment to net-zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050. The association’s 40 members have committed to, “eliminating direct energy-related emissions and maximizing the co-processing of waste from other industries, reducing and eliminating indirect energy emissions through renewable electricity sources, reducing process emissions through new technologies and deployment of carbon capture at scale, reducing the content of both clinker in cement and cement in concrete, as well as more efficient use of concrete in buildings and infrastructure, reprocessing concrete from construction and demolition waste to produce recycled aggregates to be used in concrete manufacturing and quantifying and enhancing the level of CO2 uptake of concrete through re-carbonation and enhanced re-carbonation in a circular economy, whole-life context.”
President Albert Manifold said, “The 2050 Climate Ambition represents our industry’s commitment to further reducing emissions and ensuring that the vital product we provide can be delivered on a carbon-neutral basis by 2050. There is a significant challenge involved in doing so and achieving alignment across our industry on a sustainable way forward is an important first step. We cannot however succeed alone and in launching our ambition statement we are also highlighting the need for our industry to work collaboratively with other stakeholders in support of our ambition for a more sustainable future.”