17 February 2020

India: JSW Cement is planning to expand the cement capacity of its plant in Bilakalagudur, Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh from 4.8Mt/yr to 6.0Mt/yr, at a cost of approximately US$59m. The project will involve expansion of clinker capacity from 2.5Mt/yr to 3.4Mt/yr and the construction of an 18MW captive coal-fired power plant. The work on the project is expected to commence by September 2020.

Colombia: Cementos Argos’ Rio Claro cement plant has completed construction of a new 0.45Mt/yr production line for calcined clays, an artificial pozzolan. This innovation makes the cement less environmentally damaging, as the production process’ CO2 emissions are 38% lower, with energy consumption 30% lower than ordinary Portland cement.

“With this project we are leading the industry and sowing the seeds of the Argos of the future, which today starts a new production line at Rio Claro,” said Juan Esteban Calle, President of Cementos Argos. “It has gigantic growth potential in all geographies, not only from the point of view of the product, but because it is a concrete action for the sustainability of our industry. In our commitment to climate change, this project clearly makes us very proud.”

Oman: Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (Be'ah) has signed an agreement with Oman Cement Company, in which Be'ah will supply expired tyres to the cement producer for use as an alternative fuel.

The agreement was signed by Eng Tariq bin Ali al Amri, CEO of Be'ah, and Eng Salem bin Abdullah al Hajri, CEO of Oman Cement Company. Eng Hajri reported that the agreement will contribute to the national economy, diverting 30,000t of waste tyres from landfill.

Morocco: Bedeschi has reported that erection works are underway at a project it is carrying out for LafargeHolcim in Morocco. Following an intense civil work phase, during which the single trusses were preassembled and equipped with the mechanical comports, the 4.3km-long belt conveyor is taking shape. The site team is taking full advantage of Trimble Connect to facilitate the erection works.

The conveyor, which trusses up to 5t completely assembled at ground, has been erected on a mountain using a suspended cableway. The system, installed and operated by Bedeschi team with its partner SEIK, allowed fast-track operations with high degree of safety and quality.

El Salvador: Guatemala-based Cemento Regional has announced the completion of its first production plant in El Salvador. The works, which began in September 2019, involved an investment of US$16m. The new plant has a capacity of 0.12Mt/yr, which Cemento Regional anticipates will secure it around 10% of the local market. It expects to begin dispatches in the second half of February 2020.

Azerbaijan: Cement production in Azerbaijan came to 3.3Mt in 2019, a decline of 1.4% compared to 2018. The volume of construction lime made was 43,100t, an increase of 39.7% year-on-year, while the production of building blocks and bricks made of cement, artificial stone or concrete rose by 29.6% to 83,100t.

India: Shree Cement posted a 2.9% increase in its standalone net profit to US$43.4m in the quarter that ended on 31 December 2019, from US$42.2m a year earlier. Its revenue rose to US$399m from US$389m. The company reported that its cement sales rose by 6% to 6.0Mt for the quarter, from 5.6Mt in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.