22 September 2022

Pakistan: Lucky Cement has informed investors that it plans to buy back shares up to an equivalent of 3.1% of its registered share capital, which it has valued at US$417,000. The company will commence the purchase from 29 September 2022, and continue until its completion or 27 March 2023.

Belgium: Holcim has completed its acquisition of façade and external insulation systems producer Cantillana. Holcim said that the deal expands its position in building renovation and energy efficiency solutions, aligning with its Strategy 2025 – Accelerating Green Growth plan.

Europe: The European Commission has approved the IPCEI Hy2Use plan for the construction of an international hydrogen electrolysis, transport and storage network. IPCEI Hy2Use consists of multiple projects planned for completion by 2026, with the commissioning of all infrastructure scheduled for 2036. 13 EU member states and Norway will contribute Euro5.2bn in funding, with a view to attracting private investments worth Euro7bn.

Algeria: Lafarge Algeria has launched Chamil cement, a 40% reduced-CO₂ cement, which contains locally sourced clay and ferrous materials. The producer developed Chamil cement based on technology from the Rouiba Construction Development Laboratory.

Lafarge Algeria aims to achieve export volumes of 3Mt across its product range in 2022.

Spain: Heidelberg Materials subsidiary Cementos Rezola has made a donation of 1t-worth of food to the Gipuzkoa Food Bank, which delivers food to households across Gipuzkoa Province. Europa Press News has reported that the cement producer despatched the donation from its Añorga cement plant in San Sebastián.

Cementos Rezola thanked the Gipuzkoa Food Bank for its work in support of 'Gipuzkoan families that are going through difficult times in a context marked by the cost of living and the increase in costs of energy.'