Displaying items by tag: Switzerland
Germany: Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim subsidiary Holcim Deutschland has publicised further details of its plan to make its low-CO2 concrete, EcoPact Zero, carbon neutral. It has partnered with German bog rewetting specialist MoorFutures to offset the remaining CO2 from the reduced-emissions production process of EcoPact Zero concrete. LafargeHolcim has purchased a climate protection certificate from the company, which in return is restoring enough peatland in Königsmoor, Schleswig-Holstein, to capture 1t of CO2 for every Euro64 it receives. MoorFutures says “Peatlands are the most effective CO2 stores on Earth.”
LafargeHolcim reports on record year
27 February 2020Switzerland: LafargeHolcim has announced a Euro1.95bn profit in 2019, up by 32% from Euro1.48bn in 2018. The profit was a company record, made possible by ‘lower restructuring costs and financial expenses,’ according to LafargeHolcim CEO Jan Jenisch. Sales were Euro25.1bn, up by 3.1% from Euro24.4bn, ‘driven by good growth in Europe and North America, good price dynamics across all business segments and higher prices in most markets,’ according to Jenisch. “We have achieved all our targets for 2019 and have moved our company to a new level of performance,” he said.
Market in Turkey drags on Vicat’s sales in 2019
14 February 2020France: Vicat’s sales were reduced in 2019 by poor markets in Turkey and, to a lesser extent, Switzerland and Egypt. Its sales fell by 1% year-on-year to Euro2.74bn in 2019 from Euro2.58bn at constant scope and exchange rates. Its cement sales volumes dropped by 2% to 22.4Mt from 22.8Mt but its concrete volumes grew by 1.1% to 9.1Mm3 from 9.0Mm3. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) decreased slightly to Euro156m.
“Strong growth in France, the US, Africa and Kazakhstan helped offset difficult market conditions in Turkey and Egypt. Furthermore, in line with our strategy of targeted acquisitions, the purchase of Ciplan in Brazil, in January 2019, allowed the group to continue its international growth in a region offering strong potential by integrating teams and assets of the highest quality,” said chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Guy Sidos.
The group performed well in France, the US and Italy, especially due to the acquisition of Ciplan in Brazil. Sales in Turkey suffered from a generally poor economic situation. Competition in Egypt and a downturn in the precast concrete market in Switzerland caused problems in these countries respectively.
LafargeHolcim opens Global Hub in India
05 February 2020India: Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim has co-located its global digital and business services at a single site in Mumbai. The company says that the Global Hub will enable it to ‘focus on providing modern global platforms and capabilities, accelerating the pace of innovation at a local, regional and global level.’
LafargeHolcim inaugurates FastCarb concrete carbonation
03 February 2020France: Following a successful trial that began in December 2019, LafargeHolcim has inaugurated a FastCarb CO2 absorption accelerator into concrete production at its Val d'Azergues cement and concrete plant (integrated capacity 0.4Mt/yr) in Lozanne. The technology involves the capture of CO2 from the plant’s cement kiln for reinjection into concrete produced with recycled aggregates. François Petry, LafargeHolcim France managing director, said the installation ‘fits perfectly into our Lafarge 360 approach for more responsible construction.’ The five-pillar approach consists of alternative fuel substitution and development, power consumption reduction, formulation of new cements, cooperation with Airium insulation solutions and assistance with low-carbon building design.
Colombia: Switzerland-based construction materials producer Sika has invested an undisclosed sum in relocating production from a concrete admixture and mortar plant in Colombia to a larger facility in Barranquilla. Sika Americas regional manager Christopher Ganz said, “Our latest investment in Barranquilla will help us capture the potential of the dynamic construction market in the Caribbean region. Our aim is to grow more quickly than the construction market in this region.” The market grew by 15% in 2019.
Sika also manufactures building products for the Colombian market at facilities in Bogotá, Medellín and Duitama.
Germany: Holcim Deutschland has announced the successful development of Holcim EcoPact Zero, a net-zero carbon concrete. It says that it is in talks with customers in Germany and will make the first deliveries of EcoPact Zero in early 2020. Holcim Deutschland CEO Thorsten Hahn said, “The use of clinker-reduced cements and the optimisation of the binder content play a central role. The still unavoidable CO2-footprint is fully offset at with the support of various certified environmental projects.”
Bangladesh: Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim’s subsidiary LafargeHolcim Bangladesh announced its intended expansion from cement production into building materials solutions provision at an event marking one year since the completion of its merger with Holcim Cement (Bangladesh). LafargeHolcim Bangladesh CEO Rajesh Surana said, “We will build on strengths of these two most premium and globally reputed companies and provide customers with multiple products and solutions under one umbrella rather than being a mere cement producer.” The Financial Express has reported that the company has a total capacity of 4.2Mt/yr of Supercrete and Holcim brand cement.
Fuchs Group establishes three intensified trading partnerships
17 January 2020Switzerland: Fuchs Group, which serves Swiss cement producers through its local trading partners, has established three additional intensified trading partnerships with Aseol Suisse AG, Laveba and S. Affolter for distribution of its industrial lubricants and lubricants for special applications in various regions. Aseol Suisse AG and Laveba are lubricant producers and distributors, while S. Affolter is a physical and chemical heat transfer specialist.
Emami Cement auction commences mid-January 2020
03 January 2020India: Emami Group has indicated that it will receive bids for its cement division Emami Cement from mid-January 2020. Business Standard newspaper has reported that Aditya Birla’s UltraTech Cement is likely to submit an offer in the region of US$0.94bn for the company – over 20% lower than Emami Group’s previously projected evaluation of US$1.18bn for Emami Cement. It also reported the possible involvement of Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim’s Ambuja Cements in the upcoming auction.