Displaying items by tag: GCW536

Algeria: BMSD Chaux Algeria has commissioned a 100,000t/yr lime plant. Italy-based QualiCal supplied the plant. It is powered by natural gas and relies on CogiTech bulkmaterial handling equipment, Mathios Refractories’ refractories, Laife steel structures and Sysware and Tecnoelettra automation systems.

Sri Lanka: Tokyo Cement says it took delivery of a shipment of 12,000t of bagged cement in addition to its regular 30,000t/month at its Colombo cement terminal in early December 2021. The Daily FT newspaper has reported that the company took the measure to help ease a shortage in the Sri Lankan cement market. Its Trincomalee grinding plant continues to operate at full capacity.

The company said “Through these concerted efforts that focus on enhancing local value creation, Tokyo Cement continues to fulfil its national duty by ensuring an uninterrupted supply of cement to meet the requirements of customers across the island, and to firmly establish the company's position as the leading partner in nation-building.”

In November 2021 Tokyo Cement laid the foundations for its upcoming 1Mt/yr Trincomalee cement plant in Eastern Province. The producer now plans to commission the plant in early 2023.

US: The commissioners of Grayson County in Texas have agreed to take legal advice to try and stop Black Mountain building an integrated cement plant. The Herald Democrat newspaper has reported that the administration plans to launch its claim on the basis of air quality. The city councils of would-be host communities Dorchester and Sherman will contend the plans on the basis of other issues within their respective powers.

Sherman mayor David Plyler says that the plan would interfere with the area’s aim of attracting high-tech industry and investment. District court judge Bill Magers said “The county doesn't normally step into fight city battles, but the county feels that the proposed plant would be bad for the county overall.”

Mexico/UK: Cemex has partnered with UK-based carbon capture equipment supplier Carbon8 Systems to evaluate possible uses of the supplier’s Accelerated Carbonation Technology (ACT) in the group’s cement production. Operators can use the equipment to produce carbon-infused sustainable materials from thermal residues. Cemex says that one possible application will be in the production of supplementary cementitious materials. Under the partnership, Carbon8 Systems will evaluate a range of Cemex’s byproducts for possible use, beginning at its Rüdersdorf cement plant in Germany and Rugby cement plant in the UK. It will also evaluate the suitability of alternative lightweight aggregates produced using ACT for sale in each market.

Executive vice president sustainability, commercial, and operations development Juan Romero said "This initiative with Carbon8 Systems is another example of the work we are doing with partners across industries, academia, and startups to tap into the latest innovation and disruptive technologies to achieve our ambition of delivering net-zero CO2 concrete globally to all of our customers."

Colombia: Cementos Argos and Saint-Gobain have launched a joint venture in the area of lightweight construction materials. The new business will supply the Colombian market with mortar and ‘a wide range’ of other products. Cementos Argos says that the venture will combine Saint-Gobain’s global mortars technology and know-how with its own strong leadership and local presence to accelerate the evolution of the construction market towards a sustainable future. It added that the undertaking aims to strengthen both parties’ leadership and regional growth. They expect to conclude the deal in early 2022.

China: Xinjiang Tianshan Cement plans to launch an issuance of bonds. Reuters has reported the value of the issuance as US$2.36bn.

US: Cement companies in the US produced 57.8Mt of clinker in the first nine months of 2021, in line with production in the corresponding period of 2020. Cement shipments including imports rose by 4.2% year-on-year to 79.9Mt from 76.7Mt, according to the United States Geological Service (USGS). The lead cement consuming states by total shipments were Texas, California and Florida. Texas received 11.4Mt of cement (14% of the national total), down by 8.5% from 12.4Mt, California received 8.19Mt (10%), up by 7.8% from 7.6Mt and Florida received 5.4Mt (6.8%), up by 5.6% from 5.11Mt.

US: The Portland Cement Association (PCA) has announced the winners of its Energy and Environment Awards 2021. The awards recognise cement plants’ outstanding environmental and social efforts beyond what is required.

CalPortland’s Mojave plant in California won the Energy Efficiency award for an efficiency-increasing upgrade to its vertical roller mill, which included the introduction of a bottom hopper cone on each of its cyclones and a replacement of its mill fan housing. Argos USA’s Calera plant in Alabama won the Land Stewardship award for its conversion an 8.5ha lime kiln dust stockpile into grassland. The area now forms a vibrant ecosystem including wetland habitats. The producer also installed ponds with the additional purpose of stormwater management. Titan America’s Pennsuco plant in Florida won the Overall Environmental Excellence award for its conversion of the plant’s kiln to natural gas from coal use. The upgrade has also enabled the plant to begin to substitute alternative fuel (AF) in the kiln. The Pennsuco plant plans to produce 100% Portland limestone cement (PLC) by ‘as early as 2023.’

Other awards went to Roanoke Cement’s Troutville, Virginia, plant in the Environmental Performance category and to Cemex USA’s Victorville, California, plant in the Outreach category.

PCA President and CEO Michael Ireland said “The US’s cement manufacturers continue to focus on researching and developing new and innovative ways to reduce their environmental footprint. These accomplishments and industry commitment to carbon neutrality across the entire value chain demonstrate PCA members’ dedication to energy efficiency and a more sustainable future.”

Finland: Betolar has announced the commencement of trading in its shares on the Nasdaq Helsinki exchange. Betolar launched its Geoprime alkali-activated slag and fly ash-based concrete additive in September 2021.

Tero Ojanperä, chair of Betolar’s board of directors, said “The company has so far been developed with a strong ownership with the aim of creating a significant position for Betolar in the global cement market. The share issue expands our shareholder base and provides a significant capital injection to accelerate Betolar's internationalisation.” He continued “The oversubscription of the share issue signals the market's strong belief that effective market-based solutions to the climate crisis can be found. We thank all the retail and institutional investors who participated in the share issue for their trust."

CEO Matti Löppönen added “The outstandingly successful share issue provides Betolar’s executive management with a supportive mandate to start promoting the green transition in various industries globally. At the same time, it also obliges us to steer the company in line with our strategy, in which trust is constantly strengthening among shareholders and customers, as well as society decision-makers.” He concluded “The Betolar team is strongly committed to taking the growth company to the next level.”

Taiwan: Asia Cement Corporation plans to establish further offshore wind power plants under an extension of its partnership with Germany-based power company RWE. SNL Energy Finance Daily News has reported that the partners are investigating potential sites in Changhua, Hsinchu and Taichung.