Displaying items by tag: Europe

Switzerland: Holcim says that it aims to conclude 15 - 20 new acquisitions in 2024, and potentially ‘many more.’ The value of individual deals ranges from US$5.78 – 115m, but might possibly exceed US$230m. Holcim says that it is focussing on growing its construction waste recycling business in Belgium, France, Germany and the UK, as well as its aggregates business in Eastern Europe.

Europe: Ireland CRH announced the completion of its divestment of its lime operations in the Czech Republic, Germany and Ireland on 4 January 2024. The deal marks the first phase of the group’s divestment of its entire European lime business, for US$1.1bn.

Europe: Cemex says that sales of reduced-CO₂ cement from its Vertua range comprised 20% of its sales in Europe by volume in November 2023. The range includes Vertua Supreme cement, which offers 55% lower CO₂ emissions than ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Cemex attributed its success in developing Vertua Supreme cement to advances in product design and manufacturing technology, including the use of hydrogen in its cement kilns.

Belgium: China National Building Material subsidiary Sinoma International Engineering won a contract to build a new clinker line for Holcim Belgique on 8 December 2023. Yicai Global News has reported that Sinoma International Engineering will design the line, supply its mechanical and electrical equipment, procure steel structures and provide technical services under a contract worth Euro218m. The supplier expects to commission the line within 38 months of commencement of the project.

Holcim Belgique operates the 1.7Mt/yr Obourg cement plant in Mons. The plant is upgrading to net zero CO₂ cement production under the GO4ZERO project, as part of which Holcim Belgique previously announced plans to install a new kiln in the place of the plant’s existing ones.

Europe: Germany-based Heidelberg Materials has announced the launch of EvoZero carbon captured net zero cement. The company produces EvoZero cement at its Brevik cement plant in Norway. It says that this is the first cement to achieve net zero CO₂ emissions through the use of carbon capture and storage (CCUS), without relying on other methods of compensation in its carbon accounting.

Heidelberg Materials chair Dominik von Achten said “The launch of our unique EvoZero products is a paradigm shift in the decarbonisation of our sector. Carbon capture and storage is a breakthrough technology for the building materials industry and we are frontrunners in deploying it at scale. With EvoZero, we are offering the industry’s most innovative, globally unique product for our customers, enabling them to drive cutting-edge, environmentally friendly construction projects. I am very proud of the dedication and passion of everyone involved in our pioneering project in Brevik.”

Europe: Mexico-based Cemex says that it will soon have obtained Type III environmental product declaration (EPD) certificates for the cement products it produces across its European network of cement plants. EPDs have been published for selected cements since 2021. Cemex has confirmed the publication of EPDs for all cement types in Poland and the publication of EPDs for its products produced in Croatia and Spain by the end of 2023. Phase Two of the publication process will see EPDs for cements produced in the UK, Germany and Czech Republic in early 2024, which will complete the full roll out in Europe.

Sergio Menéndez, President of Cemex Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia, said, "EPD certificates enable our customers to make an informed choice about which materials offer the lowest carbon footprint and reduce the environmental impact of their construction projects. We have therefore made securing these objective and reliable documents, which demonstrate that our products meet the requirements of more sustainable construction, a priority across our whole European operation. I am very pleased with the progress made so far and look forward to celebrating the completion of this process."

Mexico: Cemex’s sales were US$13.2bn during the first nine months of 2023, up by 13% year-on-year from US$11.7bn in the first nine months of 2022. The group’s operating earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were US$2.6bn, up by 27% from US$2.1bn. This came in spite of a 7% year-on-year decline in its cement volumes, to 39.1Mt from 41.8Mt. Volumes rose by 3% in Mexico, but fell by 13% in the US, 4% in South, Central America and the Caribbean and 10% in Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Cemex chief executive officer Fernando González said “2023 is proving to be an exceptional year for our company, and I am especially encouraged by our recovery of EBITDA margins to 2021 levels, a key strategic priority. The success of our pricing strategy, contribution of growth investments and our fast-growing Urbanisation Solutions business, as well as decelerating cost inflation, are contributing to profitability in a very meaningful way.” He continued “We are making significant progress on our decarbonization roadmap, reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions by 12% and 11%, respectively, since 2020. Prior to the introduction of our Future in Action programme in 2020, a reduction of this magnitude would have taken almost 15 years.”

Algeria: The Chlef Cement and Derivatives Company, a subsidiary of GICA, has obtained the certificate of conformity to European standards (CE) for its GICA-Béton CEM I 42.5R cement product. It adds the CE mark to four other types of cement that already hold the same conformity certification, according to L’Expression newspaper. GICA- Béton CEM I 42.5.R is a high-performance Portland cement for concrete with rapid short-term strength, intended for cold areas, particularly in harsh winters, a season during which the formwork stripping period must be short. Its two day compressive strength is 20MPa.

Central Europe: Austria-based RHI Magnesita has acquired P-D Refractories from Germany-based Preiss-Daimler Group for Euro45m. P-D Refractories produces refractories in the Czech Republic and Germany, and operates other sites in the Czech Republic and Slovenia.

RHI-Magnesita’s CEO Stefan Borgas said “The production capabilities and vertical integration of P-D Refractories, combined with RHI Magnesita’s know-how and renowned research and development capabilities, will complement our product portfolio and enlarge our production footprint and sales channels on a global scale. This acquisition is our sixth transaction to close in the year to date and marks a major milestone for both companies in the process industries sector. Together we look forward to expanding our footprint and strengthening our market presence by offering high-grade refractory products and solutions to an enlarged customer base.”

Oman: Tarek Talaat has moved from Egypt-based Misr Cement Group to Raysut Cement, where he takes over the role of CEO. He was previously managing director and CEO of Misr Cement Group. Before that, he held leadership positions across Europe, Egypt and the Middle East at Holcim, Arabian Cement Company and Ras Al Khaimah White Cement. Raysut Cement called Talaat the ‘standout’ choice for the CEO position, due to his vision, strategic mindset and proven turn-around experience. Tarek holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Cairo University and studied financial management at INSEAD University in France. He has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Swiss Business School, Zurich, in Switzerland.

Raysut Cement said “With Mr Tarek at the helm, we are confident that Raysut Cement will continue to thrive and reach new heights. His leadership will be instrumental in guiding the company through the ever-evolving landscape of the cement industry.”

Reuters has reported that Talaat’s resignation as managing director of Misr Cement Group will take effect on 12 October 2023.