07 December 2022

Mexico: Cemex Mexico plans to install hydrogen injection systems at four cement plants across Mexico. The producer will use the technology to increase alternative fuel (AF) substitution at the plants by 8 - 10%. A 40% reduction in Scope 3 purchased fuel emissions forms part of Cemex's 2020 - 2030 CO₂ emissions reduction strategy. Through the decarbonisation and circular economy pillars of its Future in Action plan, the group aims to become carbon neutral by 2050.

Cemex Mexico president Ricardo Naya said "Hydrogen is a key technology to accelerate the implementation of our climate action roadmap."

The El Financiero newspaper has reported that Cemex set a new group record AF substitution rate of 34% in September 2022. It uses hydrogen at all of its European cement plants and at one plant in the Dominican Republic.

China: Tangshan Jidong Cement and Xinjiang Tianshan Cement have announced the planned launch of a new joint venture in the cement industry. Reuters News has reported that the new cement producer will have registered capital of US$129m.

Tangshan Jidong Cement and Xinjiang Tianshan Cements' headquarters lie 3000km apart, in Beijing, Hebei Province, and Ürümqi, Xinjiang Province, respectively.

India: UltraTech Cement plans to raise funds from the sale of commercial papers over a three-month period from 6 December 2022. Reuters News has reported that the producer has already received buyers' commitments worth US$60.6m. The group will offer a yield of 6.8% on the issue.

Egypt: The Egyptian Exchange has published a filing regarding the acquisition of US$5.66m-worth of Sinai Cement shares by an investor on 7 December 2022.

France-based Vicat holds the majority stake in Sinai Cement, while investor Asmaa Amer Gharib acquired a 7.5% stake in the producer in March 2022 for US$4.05m.

Argentina: Pampa Energía has signed an agreement with Holcim Argentina to supply it with wind power to its four cement plants. The supply will provide 25% of the cement producer’s electrical energy requirements, according to Grupo La Provincia. Previously Holcim Argentina signed a deal with YPF Luz to supply wind power to its plants in 2019. The current arrangement is expected to bring the company portion of renewable electrical energy to 65% or 220GWh. The electricity from the latest deal with Pampa Energía will be generated at the Pampa Energía III Wind Farm located in the Coronel Rosales district of Buenos Aires Province.

Algeria: A fire has been reported at Groupe des Ciments d'Algéries’ (GICA) Hadjar Soud plant operated by Société des Ciments des Hadjar Soud (SCHS). An explosion occurred whilst narcotics and other substances were being incinerated in the plant’s kiln under the supervision of the Gendarmerie Nationale, according to the Reporters newspaper. 12 people were injured in the incident including five workers at the plant, five police officers and two soldiers. Most of the victims suffered third degree burns in the blast and are being treated locally.

GICA holds the majority stake in SCHS, while Italy-based Buzzi Unicem owns a 35% share.