26 May 2022

India: The Indian government has established a special panel to examine an array of possible measures to lower high cement prices in parts of the country. The Hindu newspaper has reported that the panel will consider plans, including increasing cement shipping from South Indian plants currently operating under capacity to areas affected by shortages. The national government is in talks with the South India Cement Manufacturers' Association (SICMA) about the possibility of increasing members' cement sales in future.

India: Holcim India subsidiary ACC has announced that industrial conglomerate Adani Group's open offer for Holcim's Indian business will open on 6 July 2022 and conclude on 19 July 2022. Live Mint News has reported that the parties expect the deal to subsequently close within 2022.

India: India Cements has signed a strategic collaboration agreement with 3D printing equipment supplier company Tvasta Manufacturing. The agreement establishes mutual strategic support between the partners in their efforts to develop new raw materials for use in 3D printing.

India Cements director Rupa Gurunath said "We are excited that Tvasta Manufacturing's technology delivers a cost-effective construction method that offers quicker turn-arounds as compared to conventional methods. But what we are particularly enthusiastic about is that this methodology is more eco-friendly, with lower consumption of water and sand."

US: Holcim has commissioned 10 Hyliion Hypertruck ERX electric trucks in its Oklahoma and Texas cement and concrete operations. The cement producer says that the trucks reduce CO₂ emissions by 89% when using renewable natural gas compared to conventional diesel vehicles.

Holcim US aggregates and construction materials CEO Jay Moreau said “This agreement with Hyliion underscores the direction Holcim is taking around the globe to reach our sustainability and environmental goals. By integrating sustainable technologies like electric vehicles into our operations, such as those of Hyliion, we are able to build on our promise of making greener cities, reducing emissions and driving the circular economy.”

Ireland/UK: An Irish high court has granted Mannok an injunction to prevent former Quinn Industrial Holdings CEO Seán Quinn from trespassing on the site of its Derrylin cement plant and quarry in Cavan and County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, UK. The Irish Examiner newspaper has reported that the company cited safety concerns over Quinn's presence near industrial equipment and a sheer quarry drop. His media statement in 2021 that he would 'do anything' to remove its directors compounded Mannok's 'sense of unease.'