18 June 2020

Uzbekistan: JV Pro Euro Cement has announced the start of construction of an integrated cement plant in Namangan Region. Trend News Agency has reported that Czech Republic-based PSP Engineering will oversee procurement, construction and installation of the plant, with the support of Netherlands-based Arona International. The plant’s scheduled completion date is in mid-2023.

India: JK Cement’s sales rose by 10% year-on-year to US$763m in the financial year to 31 March 2020 from US$691m in the same period in 2019. Its sales volumes of cement decreased slightly to 9.8Mt and its profit after tax nearly doubled to US$63.5m. However, its sales fell slightly in the fourth quarter, sales volumes of cement dropped by 7% year-on-year to 2.9Mt and it reported a significantly reduced standalone net profit.

The cement producer said that its operations had gradually stabilising since coronavirus lockdown measures were relaxed. All of its integrated and cement grinding plants had resumed production and despatch. It noted that due to lower power demands less fly ash was available so it is sourcing this from other locations. Labour shortages are also affecting bag supplies and the availability of drivers. As part of cash conservation measures it has restricted capital expenditure to US$66m in the current financial year.

India: Odisha has received its first cement-free road near Amanapada, Cuttack District. The Pioneer newspaper has reported that researchers from the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) developed the new material, made from 100% industrial waste, in order to cut the CO₂ emissions involved in cement production and in anticipation of an acute limestone shortage in India in 25 – 50 years. KIIT founder Achyuta Samanta thanked the students whose work brought this pilot project to fruition. “The new technology has the potential to bring about a revolution in engineering construction,” he said.

Switzerland: LafargeHolcim has announced its participation in a project aimed at increasing the height of wind turbine towers by producing larger bases on-site using 3D concrete printing technology. LafargeHolcim will supply concrete for use with Denmark-based COBOD’s 3D printing technology, while US-based GE Renewable Energy backs the project. The method enables bases to exceed the 4.5m maximum diameter necessitated by road transportation. This increases the maximum height of turbine towers by 100% to 200m from 100m, which in turn raises power generation by 33% to 20.2GWh/yr from 15.1GWh/yr.

LafargeHolcim research and development head Edelio Bermejo said, “Concrete 3D printing is a very promising technology for us, as its incredible design flexibility expands the realm of construction possibilities. Being both a user and promoter of clean energy, we are delighted to be putting our material and design expertise to work in this ground-breaking project, enabling cost efficient construction of tall wind turbine towers and accelerating access to renewable energy”