13 September 2024

Sweden: Heidelberg Materials' Slite CCS project in Gotland has received new funding. The Just Transition Fund has provided approximately €6.1m to support project preparation from 2024 to 2026, aiming for operational readiness by 2030. The project targets the creation of a fully decarbonised plant with the capacity to capture 1.8Mt/yr of CO₂, potentially reducing Sweden's total emissions by 4%.

US: Ash Grove Cement has acquired Geofortis, which operates a raw natural pozzolan milling and classifying line in Toole, Utah, along with a nearby deposit.

President of Ash Grove Cement Serge Smith posted on LinkedIn "Integrating the Geofortis plant and team into the Ash Grove family aligns perfectly with our long-term growth strategy and commitment to sustainability. These high-quality natural pozzolan products complement our existing portfolio and will enable us to offer more environmentally friendly solutions to our customers. This acquisition reinforces our dedication to developing sustainable solutions that build, connect and improve our world."

India: Rambhav Gattu, a chief manufacturing officer at Ambuja Cement in Chhattisgarh, has been arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe a government official in Odisha, Reuters reports. He is accused of having offered a box of confectionery containing US$2382 to the collector of Odisha's Barghar region, whose duties involve collecting revenues. A case has been registered against Gattu for ‘attempting to induce a public servant’, without specifying what the money offered was for. The arrest aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's anti-corruption campaign, which has intensified actions against corrupt practices.

Saudi Arabia: The crowded cement sector in Saudi Arabia is experiencing tensions due to its varying market shares, according to Majed Al Osailan, vice chair of the National Cement Committee. He noted that despite initial slow demand, renewed spending on construction has led to a shift, with most companies now able to meet market needs. The cement sector saw its first merger between Qassim Cement and Hail Cement, according to Argaam news, with another planned between City Cement and Umm Al-Qura Cement. NCC chair Badr Johar said that demand for cement is expected to strengthen substantially from late September 2024 to February 2025.

Jamaica: Caribbean Cement Company has confirmed a shortage of cement due to increased demand following the impact of Hurricane Beryl. Despite concerns about its effect on the construction sector, former president of the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica Lenworth Kelly, says the lack of supply is typical for the local market and not a cause for concern, expecting a return to normality within a week, according to Radio Jamaica News. Caribbean Cement Company has stated that it has a supply of cement in storage for the period during its scheduled maintenance.  

Kelly said "It's just a matter of when supply gets back to you. And I know the supply is back up, but it has to get to every little town, every little location. I know the bulk suppliers would be receiving now, but I'm not expecting any significant contribution to a decline, as it were. We had a significant spike, and so we would expect some trending down."

Uzbekistan: Cement companies in Uzbekistan produced 9.08Mt of cement from January to July 2024, marking a 34.6% rise year-on-year. In July 2024, production reached 1.33Mt.