03 December 2024

Norway: SLB Capturi has reached mechanical completion of the carbon capture unit at Heidelberg Materials' cement plant in Brevik. The unit includes the carbon capture system, compression system, heat integration system, intermediate storage, and loadout facilities. The plant is now ready for testing and commissioning. The carbon capture plant is designed to capture up to 0.4Mt/yr of CO₂ from one production line at the cement plant. When operational, this world-first commercial-scale carbon capture plant at a cement plant will enable production of an amount of net-zero cement, without compromising on the product strength or quality. SLB Capturi is a joint venture between SLB and Aker Carbon Capture.

"Reaching this milestone is a testament to the power of working together and the collective determination to make a positive climate impact," said Egil Fagerland, CEO of SLB Capturi. "We look forward to continuing these collaborative efforts as we move toward the commissioning and operational phases of the project. The Brevik CCS plant sets a precedent for future carbon capture initiatives, where learnings and insights from this groundbreaking project enable others to follow."

"The mechanical completion of the Brevik CCS project is a landmark achievement in the decarbonisation journey of the cement industry,” said Giv Brantenberg, general manager Northern Europe, Heidelberg Materials. “This project exemplifies our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the pursuit of solutions that address the pressing issue of climate change. We are immensely proud of the dedication and hard work of our teams and partners who have made this possible."

Egypt: Assiut Cement, part of Cemex, is set to manage and operate a non-hazardous post-consumer material recycling plant in Tunal-Gabal, Mallawi, Minya, around 230km south of Cairo. According to Yago Castro Izaguirre, Cemex President in Egypt and UAE, the material treated by the plant will produce alternative fuels for the company’s cement plant in Assiut.

The plant will receive 320t/day of material from Mallawi and Deir Muwwas. As well as alternative fuels, the plant will also make organic fertilisers. Rejects will be disposed of in a new sanitary landfill that is currently under construction.

Chile: The offer made by Peru’s Yura Group to acquire a further 20% of Chile’s Cementos Bío Bío (CBB) – in addition to the 20% it already owns – has been rejected by directors, according to CE Noticias Financieras. This is despite it valuing the company at US$390m, 110% of its current market value. CBB’s board maintained that the price is still insufficient for shareholders who see their investment as being worth more in the longer term.

"It is a low value considering operations of similar characteristics and amounts, as it does not consider the potential growth once the low demand cycle associated with the construction industry ends, or new mining projects that demand lime," emphasised the director of CBB, Alfonso Rozas.

Azerbaijan: The State Customs Committee (SCC) reports that cement production in Azerbaijan reached 3.42Mt in the first 10 months of 2024, an increase of 11.2% compared to the same period in 2023.

The SCC also reported that Azerbaijan exported 695,656t of cement and clinker in the first 10 months of 2024, a 2.4% decline compared to the same period of 2023. However, the value of exports rose by 5.8% to reach US$43.1m, reflecting stronger pricing dynamics in international markets.

Azerbaijan’s cement capacity is approximately 5.2Mt/yr, which provides a solid foundation to meet both domestic and export demand.

North Korea: South Korea-based news outlet Daily NK has reported that an explosion took place in the kiln at North Korea’s Mt Purae cement plant in the early hours of 14 November 2024. It reports that the plant was ‘straining’ to meet ‘aggressive production targets’ after being pushed above its rated capacity.

Speaking anonymously, a source with knowledge of the event said “The explosion was caused by overloading the kiln, as factory management sought to raise production targets under pressure from the provincial party committee, which was responding to the central government’s appeal to demonstrate a spirit of self-sufficiency.”

Plant technicians who analysed the explosion said that management had been too focused on boosting productivity and output cement to properly maintain the kiln. Its managers acknowledged that the accident would not have occurred if they had stuck to the plant’s design capacity.

The factory has since announced that it will adjust its production schedule and resume normal operations after swiftly repairing the damage. No workers were injured.