23 April 2024

Germany: Holcim Deutschland has broken ground on the construction of a new kiln line and CO₂ processing unit at its Lägerdorf cement plant in Schleswig-Holstein. The line will feature an OxyFuel kiln, supplied by ThyssenKrupp. ThyssenKrupp’s OxyFuel technology will assist in the capture of 1.2Mt/yr (nearly 100%) of CO₂ from the plant. The partners described the upcoming upgraded Lägerdorf plant as one of the world's first carbon-neutral cement plants.

Holcim Deutschland CEO Thorsten Hahn said "We're laying the groundwork for a sustainable world through cement. Cement is essential for our cities, factories, homes, bridges and beyond. As we transition towards renewable energy, we must also construct the foundations and structures for wind turbines and railway tracks. With our climate-neutral cement plant, we ensure that this vital building material remains accessible without further harm to the atmosphere."

ThyssenKrupp Decarbon Technologies’ chief strategy officer Cetin Nazikkol said “It’s vital to switch to climate-friendly processes. By enriching CO₂ by means of the pure OxyFuel technology we’ve developed, we help our customers capture almost all of the CO₂ arising in the production process and so reuse it in a sustainable manner. Given that global cement production is more than 4Bnt/yr, we see enormous growth potential for our innovative technology.”

UK: Heidelberg Materials UK has opened a new circular materials hub at its Appleford depot in Oxfordshire. The site will recycle construction waste for use in low-CO₂ building materials. The move advances the company’s strategy to conserve natural materials and support the circular economy.

Recycling managing director James Whitelaw said “Recycling, reusing and reducing the use of primary raw materials is crucial to reaching net zero. Our network of recycling hubs will allow us to provide the most sustainable products to our customers through circularity and innovation to enable building more with less.”

Switzerland: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) is holding its Innovandi Global Cement and Concrete Research Network (GCCRN) Spring Week at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) campus on 22 – 26 April 2024. 450 delegates from over 40 academic institutions will attend the event, featuring workshops, idea exchanges and progress reviews focused on the decarbonisation of cement and concrete by 2050. Topics include the use of AI, alternative materials and processes, concrete recycling, renewables, kiln electrification and carbon capture.

GCCRN industrial chair and Cemex global research development vice president and Davide Zampini said “If we are to reach our goal of net zero concrete by 2050, then we cannot do so alone. We need to explore as well as harness solutions and collaboration well beyond our industry. That’s why Spring Week is so important.”

GCCRN scientific chair Karen Scrivener said “Everyone here at EPFL is proud to be hosting this year’s Spring Week, anticipated as our largest gathering yet, marking a significant milestone in our journey toward net zero research.”

Kenya: Savannah Cement’s creditors voted in favour of administrator Peter Kahi’s debt reduction plan for the company on 16 April 2024. Kahi’s plan involves leasing out the site of the company’s Kitui plant, while also seeking a buyer for it.

Business Daily has reported that the Office of the Attorney General has declared Kahi's reappointment as administrator of Savannah Cement on 24 January 2024 as invalid.

Qatar: Qatar National Cement Company’s net profit was US$14.1m in the first quarter of 2024, Mist News has reported. This represents a decline of 20% year-on-year from same period in 2023.