11 June 2021

Egypt: Misr Beni Suef recorded sales of US$16.3m in the first quarter of 2021, down by 37% year-on-year from US$25.8m in the first quarter of 2020. Reuters reported that the company’s profit also fell by 37%, to US$2.39m from US$3.79m.

Greece: Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim subsidiary Heracles Group has established a Direction for Sustainable Development. The producer said that Charalampos Kouris will head the Direction, with the aim of building a more sustainable present for a better future. It will realise this by pursuing four pillars: climate, circular economy, nature and local communities. Regarding the first of these, it will follow the EU Green Deal climate neutrality roadmap.

Chief executive officer Dimitris Hanis said “We are pleased with the appointment of Mr Kouris as the first head of sustainable development and welcome him to the group's executive committee. The establishment of the new Direction will further reinforce our effort to ensure a healthy and safe workplace for our people while at the same time fighting our own battle against our climate change impact."

UK: Czech Republic-based EP Power Europe has agreed to acquire ash company Power Minerals from Germany-based Steag. The company supplies UK cement production with fly ash via its three sites centred around its Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, headquarters.

Managing director Nigel Waldron said "This deal is a huge vote of confidence in Power Minerals, the broader sector and the UK."

Ghana: Nelplast Eco Ghana has launched a moulded block produced from a paste of 70% sand and 30% recycled plastics. Xinhua Hello Africa News has reported that the producer sells the blocks as a cement-free alternative building material for building walls, in conjunction with a concrete base and columns. The cost is US$11,000 per house. Nelplast Eco Ghana hopes that the product will ease Ghana’s 2m-unit housing shortage and prevent some of the 1Mt/yr plastic waste (over 95% nationally) going to landfill. It aims to expand its capacity from 1100t/yr in the near-term future.

Mexico: The municipal administration of Atotonilco de Tula, Hidalgo province, has given US$3050 to Cemex to help with the running of its Ecomunidad recycling initiative. In June 2021, the initiative involves recycling collection at 11 Cemex sites and has educated 11,000 people. Since its foundation at 20 local schools in 2019, the initiative has recycled 37t of plastic waste.