Displaying items by tag: community

Belgium: Holcim Belgium is hosting a public meeting as a preliminary step towards applying for a permit to install a new kiln line at its Obourg cement plant in Mons. The line is intended to replace the existing kiln line as it reaches the end of its operational life. The subsidiary of Switzerland-based Holcim has called the proposed project Go4Zero. The new kiln will be designed to concentrate CO₂ emissions to allow for capture and recovery. Limestone for the plant will be extracted from a quarry at Tournaisis and transported to the plant by railway.

Nigeria: The first set of female drivers has graduated from the Lafarge Driving Institute (LDI) in Calabar, Cross River state. Lafarge Africa said that this demonstrated its commitment to enabling inclusive workplaces for women, professional gender diversity, road safety through training and the creation of local jobs. The LDI admitted 53 female trainees in March 2021.

The institute was launched in late 2017 in partnership with Lafarge Africa, Automated Integrated Services and the Federal Road Safety Corps. It was set up to improve driver quality and to ensure that heavy goods vehicles (HGV) are manned by professionals who have passed through a training programme.

Mexico: Cemex is set to begin construction of a planned US$250m new stadium for its football team Tigres UANL in Monterrey, Nuevo León. The Récord newspaper has reported that the stadium, on the grounds of the Nuevo León Autonomous University, may host some North America 2026 World Cup fixtures.

Thailand: Siam Cement Group has furthered its contribution to the struggle against the Covid-19 pandemic with the opening of a modular intensive care unit (ICU) at Ratchapipat Hospital in Bangkok’s Thawi Watthana district, supported by donations from the company. The Nation newspaper has reported that the producer has donated around US$1m to the establishment of four new ICUs for the treatment of Covid-19 patients in partnership with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. All four units will be in operation by August 2021, according to the partners. Each unit will have the capacity to treat 10 patients.

Malawi: Switzerland-based Holcim says that the world’s first 3D printed school has opened in Salima district’s Kalonga village after a build time of just 18 hours. The EcoPact green concrete producer says the building provides a much-needed thirteenth school in Yambe, which still needs three more. Holcim’s green construction subsidiary 14Trees estimates that its 3D printing technology can meet Malawi’s school building needs by 2031, compared to after 2090 by conventional methods. The group said that the school proves that “3D printing can play a key role in bridging our world’s education infrastructure gap” with high-quality, sustainable, affordable and fast-paced construction, at scale.

Europe, Middle East and Africa regional head Miljan Gutovic said, “I am very proud of how our colleagues at 14Trees have deployed cutting-edge 3D printing technology to solve such an essential infrastructure need. Now that we’ve proven the concept in Malawi, we look forward to scaling up this technology across the broader region, with projects already in the pipeline in Kenya and Zimbabwe.”

India: Ambuja Cement Foundation has signed a memorandum of understanding with Vedanta Limited subsidiary Talwani Sabo Power Limited (TSPL). India Blooms News has reported that the partners plan to promote 200 self-help groups in Mansa district, Punjab. The groups’ focus will be on the empowerment of women. Under the memorandum of understanding, the partnership will establish at least three independent enterprises to address community problems in the district.

Managing director and chief executive officer Pearl Tiwari said, “As our major focus is on women, gender and livelihoods, our new partnership with TSPL will further support us to drive impactful initiatives under the women empowerment programme and enhance our already existing programmes in Punjab.”

India: LafargeHolcim subsidiary ACC facilitated the construction of around 31,500 affordable homes across India through its Green Building Centres in 2020. The retail franchise offers reduced-CO₂ concrete blocks and other alternatives to traditional brick. The company uses the centres for its Mason Training Programme, which helps develop construction skills. Each Green Building Centre employs on average 30 people. Throughout the year, the company established 43 new centres, bringing its total number to 100.

Managing director and chief executive officer Sridhar Balakrishnan said, "Green Building Centres is a unique programme which aims to provide affordable housing, sanitation solutions and rural and semi-urban pavement solutions. It is a key pillar in our plan for people and communities in India. At ACC, we believe in embracing communities and working together to effect real change. Through the Mason Training Programme, we also give real opportunities to young Indians for self-development. We not only want to build our nation with sustainable building solutions but also empower the nation's youth through entrepreneurship, livelihood and skill development initiatives."

India: The Ambuja Cement Foundation has announced the formation of a partnership with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). The bank is funding phase two of the foundation’s Employability through Skill initiative. The initiative supports the development of off-farm economic activity in rural areas.

India: The South Indian Cement Manufacturers’ Association has supplied 200 oxygen concentrators to the Chief Minister Relief Fund (CMRF) to help in the fight against the Covid-19 outbreak in Andhra Pradesh. United News of India has reported the value of the donated items as US$273,000.

India: Dalmia Bharat subsidiary Dalmia Cement (Bharat) has marked World Environment Day with the ceremonial planting of a tree at the Bokaro cement plant in Jharkhand. In Assam, the company planted 6000 Neem, Royal Poinciana and Yellow Poinciana saplings and 4km of bamboo fence around its Alsthom Industries cement plant in Jagiroad.

Dalmia Cement (Bharat) executive director Indrajit Chatterji said, “We at Dalmia Cement have been firm believers in creating a clean and green ecosystem, especially in this pandemic situation across the world. With this tree plantation drive, we would humbly like to make a contribution towards the nature. I would urge all, to come forward and join hands to do our bit towards enabling a greener environment not only for us, but for the future generations to come. We, as a responsible corporate citizen, will always come forward to do whatever we can for the society at large.”