Canada: Lafarge Canada and Geocycle Canada have successfully completed a pilot at the Lafarge Brookfield cement plant in Nova Scotia to produce clinker using recycled minerals from discarded material. This pilot can potentially cut CO₂ emissions by 60% of clinker. The new clinker product will be used to produce recycled cement in 2024.
CEO of Lafarge Canada David Redfern said "Our teams have been tirelessly working towards finding solutions to decarbonise our business in Canada. This new recycled-minerals clinker combines operational excellence with circular construction, building new and green from what is considered old and waste. This is a great example of how far we can go - the local team at Brookfield is certainly setting the tone for the industry in Canada."
Since May 2023, Lafarge Canada, Geocycle Canada and the Holcim Group Innovation Centre have been collaborating on a 100% circular production of clinker at the Brookfield plant. The new production method involves substitution of raw materials with lower carbon options from discarded materials, as well as alternative fuels produced from these materials. The trial was performed in February 2024 and cement from this clinker will be produced in 2024 for further testing and development of the technology.
Brazil: Votorantim Cimentos reported a significant decrease in net profit to US$3.3m in the first quarter of 2024, down from US$15.2m in the same period last year. Despite a 1% increase in cement sales volume to 8.1Mt, net revenue fell by 6% to US$1bn, primarily attributed to the inflation of the Brazilian real. The company's adjusted earnings before inflation, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) remained stable at US$149m.
In Brazil, revenue stayed level at US$585m, though EBITDA dropped by 6%. North American operations saw a 7% decline in revenue, impacted by lower sales volumes and adverse exchange rates, with EBITDA at US$3.3m, improving from a US$9.2m loss in the first quarter of 2023.
US: Cemex has entered an off-site renewable energy agreement for its Clinchfield Cement Plant with Georgia Power, securing about 25% of its power from solar facilities throughout the state, starting in 2025. The plant will offset roughly 10,000t/yr of indirect CO₂ emissions, contributing to a 58% reduction target in Scope 2 GHG emissions from its 2020 levels by 2030.
Senior Vice President of Cemex US Ernesto Felix said "Embracing solar power not only accelerates our own aggressive sustainability goals but also sets a powerful example for the entire industry. By integrating renewable energy solutions through Georgia Power, Cemex paves the way for a greener, more resilient future for generations to come."
India: Shree Cement recorded a net profit of US$80m for the quarter ending 31 March 2024, up by 21% year-on-year from US$65m. The company's net revenue also rose by 7% to US$610m during the same period, compared with US$573m in 2023. Operating expenses decreased by 3% year-on-year to US$472m.
Japan: Taiheiyo Cement recorded a profit of US$276m for the financial year ending March 2024, following a loss of US$212m in 2023. Sales significantly increased to US$5.7bn. Domestic demand for cement is stable due to urban redevelopment projects and the construction of new logistics facilities. On the other hand, rising costs and delays to construction work and longer construction periods due to a shortage of workers resulted in output declining by 7.3% year-on-year to 34.6Mt.
Looking ahead to the 2025 financial year, Taiheiyo Cement expects a 43% year-on-year rise in net profit to US$396m and anticipates sales to grow by 8.3% year-on-year to US$6.1bn.
Sweden: Peab has entered a product delivery agreement with Stockholm-based start-up CemVision, starting from 14 May 2024. CemVision has developed a cement that reportedly reduces CO₂ emissions by over 95% compared to traditional cement, by replacing limestone and fossil fuels with refined industrial waste and renewable energy. Over the next few years, Peab will use CemVision's ultra-low carbon cement for various projects, including infrastructure, water treatment, foundation work and prefabricated concrete.
Oscar Hållén, CEO of CemVision, said “We are thrilled to be able to deliver our product to Peab. We see that green cement has become crucial for entire industries to be able to meet their climate commitments. The demand is already enormous and all forecasts indicate that it will only increase.”
India: JK Cement reported a net profit of US$28.1m for the quarter ending 31 March 2024, up by 47.5% year-on-year from US$19.2m. Net revenue increased by 23.3% to US$352m in January – March 2024, compared to US$285m in the same period in 2023. Operating expenses for the quarter rose by 18.2% to US$286m from US$242m in 2023.
Türkiye's cement exports decline
Türkiye: Türkiye's cement exports to Azerbaijan dropped by 10.5% in January - April 2024, to US$16m, compared to the same period in 2023. In April 2024, exports to Azerbaijan fell by 16% to US$4.1m, according to the Turkish Ministry of Trade. Türkiye's global cement exports decreased by 8% to US$1.4bn from January to April 2024. Cement exports in April 2024 experienced a 9.2% year-on-year decline, to US$339m. From April 2023 – April 2024, Türkiye's total cement exports were valued at US$4.5bn.
Nigeria: Lafarge Africa has reported a decline in net income for the first quarter ending 31 March 2024. Sales rose to US$98m from US$63.2m in 2023, but net income fell to US$3.6m from US$10.3m in 2023.
JSW Cement to establish cement plant in Nagaur
India: JSW Cement will establish its first cement plant in the north of the country at Nagaur, Rajasthan. The new site will begin with a capacity of 3.3Mt/yr, eventually expanding to a capacity of 15Mt/yr by 2026.
Managing director Parth Jindal posted on X "Extremely proud that JSW Cement is entering North India, today we have broken ground at our site in Nagaur, Rajasthan. A new beginning for JSW, one that will see us becoming a pan-Indian cement player by 2026.”