Displaying items by tag: UK

UK: Heidelberg Materials' Ribblesdale cement works in Lancashire is participating in a pioneering study to assess the use of ammonia as a hydrogen source for fuelling cement kilns. This 12-month feasibility project, conducted in collaboration with engineering consultants Stopford and Cranfield University, has received funding from Innovate UK through its UK Research and Innovation fund.

The research aims to investigate ammonia as a potentially energy-dense, cost-effective hydrogen carrier for cement manufacturing and other industries. Building on Ribblesdale's successful demonstration of using hydrogen in a net-zero fuel mix for a cement kiln, the new project will focus on the most efficient methods for on-site 'cracking' of ammonia to release hydrogen as kiln fuel.

Marian Garfield, Sustainability Director at Heidelberg Materials UK, said “We have already proved the success of using hydrogen as part of a lower carbon fuel mix, but its storage and transportation are currently technically challenging and expensive. Ammonia could offer a more viable hydrogen source that enhances fuel usage and reduces CO₂ emissions. If successful, this project will pave the way for further investigations into the commercial viability of using ammonia as a hydrogen carrier for combustion in cement production and beyond.”

UK: Breedon Group recorded a 7% year-on-year increase in revenue of €1.73bn in 2023. Earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) were €171m, down by 2%.

CEO Rob Wood said “The record results we delivered in 2023 are a real accomplishment and something I am extremely proud of. The challenging trading conditions our team faced required agile and bold responses which they took with discipline and determination.”

UK: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has launched the 3rd Innovandi Open Challenge 2024, with a focus on the deployment of carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) for the decarbonisation of cement and concrete. Possible fields of study include process-integrated and end-of-pipe capture. The 1st Innovandi Open Challenge 2024 previously focused on CCUS, and has now produced two projects at pilot stage.

Cement, innovation and environmental, social and governance (ESG) director Claude Loréa said "Our industry is committed to achieving net zero and the development of carbon capture technology is a key part of that work. Our world-leading Innovandi Open Challenge programme has already seen remarkable progress in just two years, with start-ups and our member companies working together. We're looking forward to seeing what this year's applicants can bring, to build on the extensive work that is already underway across the world."

UK: Aggregate Industries is preparing to build a new cement storage unit for deep sea shipping lines at the Port of Southampton. As part of a 20-year agreement, Aggregate Industries will be working with port owner Associated British Ports and industry-leading cargo handler Solent Stevedores, which will operate the new cement import unit. The site is intended to help the business maintain a continuous supply of lower CO₂ cementitious products in the south and south west of England.

Matt Owen, Head of Supply Chain at Aggregate Industries Cement Division said “This is a significant project for us. It constitutes the first stage in a wider programme of planned investments over the short to medium term in deep sea imports designed to enable us to serve growing demand.” He continued, “The southern construction market remains buoyant with lots of major projects in the pipeline this year and beyond. Constituting one of the few deep-sea vessel facilities of its kind in the region, this facility will enable us to remain primed and ready to meet our customers rising demand for lower carbon solutions.”

UK: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) will launch the 3rd Innovandi Open Challenge on 20 February 2024. The programme aims to bring together select green technology start-ups and global cement producers. The GCCA will announce details of the challenge's topic at the launch event on 20 February 2024, featuring industry and start-up speakers, including previous challenge participants. Registration is accessible here on the GCCA website.

GCCA chief executive officer Thomas Guillot said "Innovation and new technologies will help unlock our industry’s net zero future. Join us on 20 February 2024 to hear about this year’s exciting challenge."

Register for the 3rd Innovandi Open Challenge3rd Innovandi Open Challenge

UK: Heidelberg Materials UK has awarded Japan-based Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) a front end engineering design (FEED) contract for an upcoming carbon capture installation at its Padeswood cement plant in Flintshire. Australia-based Worley will also collaborate on the project, which is scheduled to become operational in 2028. The partners aim to capture up to 800,000t/yr of CO₂ using MHI’s amine solvent-based Advanced KM CDR process. MHI previously conducted a pre-FEED carbon capture study at the Padeswood plant, beginning in 2022.

Heidelberg Materials UK chief executive officer Simon Willis said "This is a decisive next step in our plans to install carbon capture technology at our Padeswood cement works. Once operational, it will provide net zero building materials for major projects across the country, enabling us to help decarbonise the construction industry and meet our ambition to become a net zero business."

MHI CEO and head of engineering solutions Kenji Terasawa said "Heidelberg Materials UK has committed to reaching net zero carbon by 2050 and will be deploying our proprietary carbon capture technology, the Advanced KM CDR process, to tackle this challenge, leading the way in the UK's cement industry."

UK: The UK Department for Transport has awarded Cemex UK a grant of just under Euro2m to build a shore power system for its maritime logistics operations at Shoreham Port in West Sussex. The system will enable the company to eliminate on-board diesel engine use during marine aggregate discharges. It will incorporate battery energy storage and solar power generation to provide constant power, whilst simulating fluctuating power demands. Cemex UK will now work with automation specialist Iconsys and the University of Warwick to deploy a demonstration system, which will run from April 2024 until April 2025.

Cemex West Europe materials operational excellence and business development director Laurence Dagley said "Our initial feasibility study for this shore power system identified an opportunity to save a significant amount of CO₂ during each dredger discharge, while also improving local air quality at the port itself. We are, therefore, pleased to have received this funding to progress to the next stage of the project and undertake on-site demonstration."

UK: Aggregate Industries has successfully removed gas duct sections from the electrostatic precipitation filter at its Cauldon cement plant in Staffordshire. This will make way for the installation of a new CTP Team process kiln bag filter, following an annual shutdown.

Cauldon plant capital expenditure manager Mark Powling said “The new bag filter not only provides the best available technology, but will enable the Cauldon plant to optimise its plant performance, driving its decarbonisation and alternative fuel strategies. Thanks to the project team for their efforts and hard work to date.”

UK: Aggregate Industries has engaged energy engineering firm Petrofac to investigate a carbon capture project at its Cauldon cement plant. Petrofac is currently conducting early engineering assessments to identify CO₂ capture opportunities at the plant in Staffordshire. This includes technology selection for any future project. Upon commissioning, a carbon capture system will support the storage of up to 600,000t/yr of CO₂ from the Cauldon cement plant under the Irish Sea as part of the cross-industry Peak Cluster carbon capture and storage (CCS) project.

Aggregate Industries decarbonisation manager Luke Olly said "Aggregate Industries is excited to be launching this carbon capture study, as we are aiming to fully decarbonise our cement plant by 2030. This technology is an important part of our strategy."

Petrofac head of business development energy transition projects, Alex Haynes, said "We’re looking forward to working with Aggregate Industries UK in finding a way to reduce the carbon footprint of its cement products."

UK: Heidelberg Materials UK has received certification to the revised BES 6001 standard across its entire business. The Framework Standard for Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products, version 4.0:2023, emphasises sustainable procurement and supply chain engagement, alongside environmental aspects such as biodiversity. It covers products including cement, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and concrete. The producer says that this will help it to secure additional green building certification schemes credits.

Sustainability director Marian Garfield said "We are delighted to have been awarded the 'excellent' level of certification by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), which demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and supporting our customers in our shared net zero ambitions."