22 April 2021
China: Tangshan Jidong Cement net loss fell by 82% year-on-year to US$7.93m in the first quarter of 2021, down by 82% year-on-year from US$43.3m in the first quarter of 2020. Its operating income rose by 64% to US$785m from US$478m.
FLSmidth to prepare Norcem’s Brevik cement plant for carbon capture and storage installation 22 April 2021
Norway: Norcem, part of Germany-based HeidelbergCement, has awarded a contract to Denmark-based FLSmidth to provide modifications to allow for downstream CO2 removal at its integrated Brevik cement plant. The supplier will begin work in the unit’s winter 2022 shutdown. Its upcoming carbon capture and storage (CCS) installation is scheduled for commissioning in September 2024.
Norcem project manager Tor Gautestad said, “We are very excited to have FLSmidth on board and to finally begin the construction of the full-size installation.” He added, “FLSmidth’s extensive process knowledge, and air pollution control in particular, will be critical to the success of the project.”
Germany: Holcim Deutschland, part of Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim, has launched its new ECOPlanet Zero carbon neutral cement. The producer says that it will offset the product’s CO2 emissions through a peatland rewetting service provided by MoorFutures. The cement also has a low clinker factor due to the use of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS)-enriched binders.
Cement and binders sales director Matthias von der Brelje said “Holcim has been reducing the specific CO2 emissions of binders very effectively for decades by using high-quality GGBFS.” He added, “In the future, we want to work with planners, contracting agencies and users to further advance the use of our CO2-reduced binders. This helps our customers to realise their vision of sustainable building even better. In terms of product technology, the ECOPlanet series also has outstanding - and in some cases even better - properties than Portland cements, for example good workability, light colour, favourable heat development and high fatigue strength.”
Holcim Mexico launches EcoEtiquetas label 22 April 2021
Mexico: Holcim Mexico, part of Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim, has launched the new EcoEtiquetas label. The label designates products conforming to a set of ecological criteria set by the company. These include a certain level of recycled content or a reduced carbon footprint, as specified by the label on each product. The label is now found on Holcim Apasco, Maestro and Supra Cemento cement bags. These products say they offer CO2 reductions from 30 – 60% compared to Ordinary Portland Cement.
Chief executive officer Jaime Hill Tinoco said, “This is one more step on our way to becoming a Net Zero Company, but also when our clients buy our cements with EcoEtiquetas, they will have the certainty that they are collaborating in the care of the environment by using or distributing products that have been thought not only in terms of quality and performance, but also in ensuring a better world for present and future generations.”
Turkey: Türkçimento, the Turkish Cement Manufacturers’ Association, says that it has held the sector’s first virtual cement conference and exhibition with the conclusion of Digitalcem on 21 April 2021. The event focused on the need to pioneer in the sector through innovative thinking. Topics included circular economy, sustainable and competitive products, green energy transformation, digital cement anddeveloping technologies. 22 companies hosted booths and over 360 participants took part in the two-day event.
Chair Tamer Saka said, “We keep close track of the European Union climate and environmental policies and the harmonisation process of Turkey’s cement sector, through the target of being a pioneer in our sector’s work performed within the framework of sustainability. In this scope, we started the Turkish Cement Sector Carbon Roadmap project at the end of 2020. We will present Turkey with the sector's roadmap by scrutinising the data on greenhouse gas emissions of almost all cement plants in Turkey.”