15 March 2023

Croatia: Nexe has awarded a contract to Germany-based ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions for the construction of a new clinker line and carbon capture installation at its 0.6Mt/yr Nasice cement plant. The Poslovni Dnevnik newspaper has reported that the work will cost Euro400m. When commissioned in 2029, the upgraded plant will produce carbon neutral cement and despatch 700,000t/yr of CO₂ by pipeline for storage near Bockovac in Osijek-Baranja County.

Mexico: Cemex has updated its logo to a new design, which it says presents a ‘fresher, closer, and more dynamic’ visual identity. The groups says that this signifies a ‘clear and decisive company transformation.’

CEO Fernando González said “I am excited to present the renewed image of our company. But what excites me most is what is behind the change: a renewed commitment to helping our customers push the boundaries of sustainable construction through innovative solutions.”

US: Continental Cement will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new 114,000t-capacity cement storage dome at its Davenport cement plant in Iowa on 20 March 2023. The dome will replace existing winter storage bars (barns? In which case let’s change to something else) at the plant, resulting in a safer and more efficient operation, according to the subsidiary of Summit Materials.

The company’s president, David Loomes, said "The investment by Summit Materials of US$30m in the largest cement storage dome in North America represents a strong vote of confidence in Continental Cement and a commitment to sustained operations and investment in the State of Iowa."

Continental Cement plans to invest an additional US$32m in an expansion to its Green America Recycling programme, whereby it expects to achieve an alternative fuel (AF) substitution rate of 55%.

Mexico: Cemex has made an issue of US$1bn-worth of notes without a maturity date. The producer says that the proceeds will fund its green initiatives.

Cemex said "Eligible green projects include capital, operating and research and development expenditures related to pollution prevention and control, renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean transportation, sustainable water and wastewater management and eco-efficient and/or circular economy-adapted products, production technologies and processes.”

Finland: UK-based SigmaRoc has acquired dolomitic limestone supplier Juuan Dolomiittikalkki. Juuan Dolomiittikalkki’s mines command 1.5Mt of reserves, with viability until 2053. SigmaRoc will integrate the company into its subsidiary Nordkalk’s Nordics platform.

SigmaRoc CEO Max Vermorken said “We are making good progress on the acquisitions pipeline to deliver on our objective to become the leading European quarried materials group.”

Germany: Beumer has redesigned its Paletpac palletiser on a modular pattern. The new design comprises modules that can be picked from either side, and reduce the necessary forklift capacity for configuration to 5t from 8t.

Product business divisional director Kay Wieczorek said "The performance of the machines can be modified at a later time if necessary, and if there is ever a need for retrofitting or repairs, the new design saves a lot of time.”

UK: The Global Cement & Concrete Association (GCCA) held an online launch for its second Innovandi Open Challenge on 14 March 2023. The global challenge matches start-up companies with some of the world’s leading cement and concrete manufacturers, which operate in almost every country across the world, to work on initiatives to cut emissions and pioneer environmental change across the industry. The launch follows the success of the first ever Innovandi Open Challenge in 2022, which saw cement companies partnering with six start-ups, with a strong focus on carbon capture and utilisation projects.

This time around, applicants are being asked to work on the development of new materials and ingredients for low carbon concrete – a major step towards the goal of net zero concrete. Alternative materials, including construction and demolition waste, can result in far lower CO2 emissions than traditional concrete, as well as reduce the need to use virgin raw materials. The applications phase will last until mid-May 2023.

Thomas Guillot, CEO of the GCCA, said “We’re calling on the best and the brightest from around the world to join us in the urgent fight to limit global warming and help towards delivering the great prize of net zero concrete. If you are a start-up from Austria to Australia, from Brazil to Bangladesh, with an innovative idea or technology, then we want to hear from you.”

Those companies that are accepted for this year’s Innovandi Open Challenge will gain unique access to industry plants, laboratories, key networks and the expertise and infrastructure of the GCCA’s 40 members from around the world. They will also receive guidance from the GCCA and its members to help them with the development of new technology and business cases.

Claude Loréa, GCCA cement director and innovation lead, said “We’ve already seen some remarkable progress from those start-ups who’ve been working with our members on the first Innovandi Open Challenge, with several projects already in the pilot stage. This year’s theme, low carbon concrete, is equally challenging. To succeed, we need products which are affordable, scalable and easily adopted. Good luck to all this year’s applicants. We look forward to working with those selected.”