Displaying items by tag: Aggregates

France: Lafarge France has awarded a contract to Germany-based Inform for the supply of its transport optimisation software across its 160 aggregates locations and 900-truck fleet. The software uses algorithms to analyse scheduling decisions in real-time and identify those that are ideal for minimising costs and maximising service and on-time performance.

Supply chain projects head Kevin Perrault said “We have been using Inform’s transport optimisation software for over 25 years in our aggregates business.” He added “We pride ourselves in delivering the best possible service to our customers, and upgrading our operations to the latest version is a key element to help us achieve our goals and to remain competitive in the industry.”

UK: Finland-based Metso Outotec has awarded a contract to Duo Group to provide distribution services for its British aggregates equipment and services business. Under the terms of the contract, Duo Group will deliver the supplier’s products and provide technical support to its quarry customers in England, Scotland and Wales. Metso Outotec presently provides both services itself. The contract will enter force in September 2021.

Distribution management senior vice president Olli-Pekka Oksanen said “We are very pleased to announce the partnership with Duo. The partnership expands our distribution model to include the larger aggregates quarrying customers in the UK. With Duo’s local presence and world class know-how, we will improve our ability to offer more comprehensive aggregate solutions and aftermarket support with the agility and responsiveness appreciated by the quarrying customers.”

US: Cemex USA has announced plans for an upcoming 600,000t/yr aggregates plant in Brierfield, Alabama. The Birmingham Business Journal newspaper has reported that, when operational, the plant will supply the company’s ready-mix concrete operations in the state. The subsidiary of Mexico-based Cemex operates 30 batching plants in Alabaster, Tuscaloosa and Vance.

Mid-South regional president Marc Tyson said “The Brierfield plant gives us a new opportunity to support our existing customers and earn the business of new ones by leveraging the wealth of experience of our team and providing them materials sourced from all parts of Cemex USA's supply chain.”

Germany: The Federal Cartel Office has approved the takeover of Heinrich Teufel by Holcim Deutschland. The subsidiary of Switzerland-based Holcim said it had agreed to acquire the ready-mix concrete and aggregates in July 2021. The purchase is intended to increase the company’s presence in southern Germany.

US: Hanson Aggregates has purchased 577ha of land near Buckeye, Arizona. The Phoenix Business Journal newspaper has reported that the company will use the land to produce ready-mix concrete and rock products and. Martin Marietta Materials agreed to acquire Germany-based HeidelbergCement’s US West regional business, which included Hanson Aggregates, in May 2021 for US$2.3bn.

Germany: Switzerland-based Holcim has agreed to acquire ready-mix concrete and aggregates producer Heinrich Teufel. The Strassburg, Baden-Württemberg-based company employs 160 people across its operations in southern Germany. No value for the purchase has been disclosed and the transaction will be subject to regulatory approval.

Europe, Middle East and Africa regional head Miljan Gutovic said "The acquisition of Heinrich Teufel will strengthen our footprint in southern Germany in aggregates and ready-mixed concrete. We were especially impressed by their shared commitment to advancing the circular economy. We look forward to warmly welcoming the Heinrich Teufel colleagues joining our team.”

France: Cemex France has inaugurated a multi-service green building materials outlet and recycling centre at Genevilliers in Paris, Île-de-France. The company says that the facility will stock its reduced-CO₂ Vertua concrete range. It will also receive construction waste, excavated earth and rubble for use in concrete production or resale as aggregates. The company will offer complete traceability of waste received, and non-recyclable waste will be used in quarry restoration.

France North director of materials Alain Plantier said, "Developing construction in high-growth urban locations requires circular economy solutions which mitigate climate change and save natural resources while improving the wellbeing of inhabitants." He added “Cemex is uniquely positioned to provide integrated solutions for building and maintaining more sustainable and resilient cities, and this new site demonstrates this perfectly. Clients in Paris need low-carbon construction solutions which perform throughout their life cycle. Working together with our clients, this site will help to reduce the carbon footprint of new projects in line with Cemex’s Future In Action strategy – committed to net zero CO₂.”

Poland: Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim subsidiary Lafarge Polska has launched Aggneo, a recycled aggregate recycled from demolition-sourced concrete. The producer says that Aggneo offers high consistency and a lower density than mined aggregates, resulting in material savings. Besides reducing waste, the product also lowers the carbon footprint of delivery by 66%, according to the company. The building materials producer aims to manufacture 1Mt/yr of recycled aggregated by 2030.

US: Aggregate producer Vulcan Materials Company has agreed to buy US Concrete for US$1.29bn.The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies and is expected to close in the second half of 2021, subject to US Concrete shareholder approval, regulatory clearance and other customary closing conditions.

Tom Hill, Chairman and chief executive officer of Vulcan Materials Company, said, "US Concrete is an important Vulcan customer in a number of key areas, and this transaction is a logical and exciting step in our growth strategy as we further bolster our geographic footprint.”

US Concrete runs 27 aggregates operations serving California, Texas and the Northeast US. It shipped 12.6Mt of aggregates in 2020. Vulcan also said that the acquisition represented a ‘natural’ addition to Vulcan's business. The deal also adds US Concrete’s ready-mixed concrete operations to Vulcan's existing concrete business.

Germany: HeidelbergCement has completed a comprehensive Concrete Sustainability Council (CSC) certification campaign at its 10 cement plants, 12 concrete plants and five aggregates sites underwent the certification process. One cement plant– the Lengfurt, Bavaria, plant - and two concrete plants achieved Platinum certification. The Lengfurt cement plant is the first German cement plant to do so.

Senior manager sustainable construction and public affairs Christian Artelt said “CSC certification allows production sites to gain a holistic understanding of their sustainability performance.” He added “Our successful engagement in CSC certification highlights our commitment to sustainability.”