US: Texas-based Solidia Technologies has patented a synthetic pozzolan that may be used as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in cement production. The product is based on previously low-value materials, including minimally processed oil shales and clay minerals. Solidia Technologies produces the material by various methods, including firing the materials to yield a mix of crystalline components and activatable amorphous phase material. Alternatively, production may also involve the aqueous decomposition of manmade silicates in the presence of CO₂.

Australia: Cockburn Cement has mounted a successful appeal against a US$187,000 fine for odourous emissions from its Munster cement plant in Western Australia in 2019. Business News Western Australia has reported that the company had been found guilty of six charges related to emissions violations. In its latest judgment, the court revised the company’s fine to US$159,000. It also granted the company leave to further appeal.

US: Cementos Argos, the cement company controlled by Colombia-based Grupo Argos, has entered into a definitive agreement with Summit Materials, under which they will combine their operations in the US. The platform will have a diversified portfolio and a nationwide geographic presence in complementary markets and high-growth urban areas. It will be present in 30 states.

Summit Materials currently operates across aggregate, cement, concrete, and other businesses in the building materials industry, with assets that include 217 aggregate mines, two cement plants along the Mississippi River and approximately 84 concrete plants.

Argos North America has four integrated cement plants, two grinding stations, 140 ready-mix concrete plants, and a distribution network of eight maritime ports and 10 inland terminals.

The agreement will see Cementos Argos receive approximately US$1.2bn and 54.7 million common shares in Summit Materials. This will make it the largest shareholder in Summit Materials, with a 31% stake. The combination will create a company with combined revenues in excess of US$4bn with approximately US$1bn in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA). It will be the fourth-largest cement making portfolio in the US, with a capacity of 11.6Mt/yr. It will also be among the largest aggregates and concrete producers. The two companies expect the combination to unlock estimated annual synergies of at least US$100m, with significant realisation within two years.

Juan Esteban Calle, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Cementos Argos, stated, "This combination reaffirms our commitment to growth in the US market while realising and optimising our intention to list the US business on the New York Stock Exchange as the most efficient way to unlock the fundamental value of Cementos Argos' assets and businesses in that country. Being an active player in a publicly-traded leading building materials platform, with a significant component of aggregates and cement on the world's most attractive market, is a pivotal step in the value generation strategy we launched months ago with the SPRINT program for the benefit of all our shareholders. Cementos Argos' participation in Summit Materials will continue to provide our shareholders with significant exposure to the US market."

Anne Noonan, President and CEO of Summit Materials, said, “Our combination with Argos USA marks a significant milestone as we execute against and accelerate our materials-led portfolio strategy. The transaction will extend our geographic reach into high growth markets, creating a leading cement position nationwide, and bring together two talent-rich organisations to innovate and deliver value-added solutions for our customers."

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2024, subject to required regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Brazil: Data from SNIC, the Brazilian Cement Association, shows that cement sales increased by 1% year-on-year in August 2023 to reach 6Mt. From January to August 2023 however, Brazilian cement sales were once again lower year-on-year, falling by 1% to 41.7Mt.

Across Brazil, construction material sales have been impacted by lower disposable income due to inflation, high interest rates and high household debt. However, the New Growth Acceleration Program, a government initiative launched in August 2023, could be a boon for cement sector. It foresees spending of US$280bn between 2023 and 2026. For highways alone, 269 restoration and construction projects are planned and duplication of roads across the country, an investment that could open up opportunities for the use of more economical road solutions, such as rigid concrete pavement.

“The implementation of infrastructure projects with an emphasis on logistics, sanitation and housing could reverse the negative performance of the cement industry recorded until August 2023. Our expectation is that the positive seasonality in sales in the sector will be confirmed in the second half of the year,” said Paulo Camillo Penna, President of SNIC.

US: Data released by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) shows that total shipments of Portland and blended cement, including imports, in the US and Puerto Rico came to an estimated 10.5Mt in June 2023, a slight decrease compared to June 2022. Of the total volume of blended cement reported in June 2023, 4.7Mt (95%) was estimated to be portland-limestone cement (PLC).

For the first six months of 2023, shipments reached an estimated 51.0Mt, a slight decrease from those for the same period in 2022. The leading producing states in June 2023 were, in descending order: Texas; Missouri; California; Michigan; and Florida. These states accounted for 40% of cement produced. The leading cement-consuming states, again in descending order, were: Texas; California; Florida; Ohio; and Illinois. They jointly received 37% of all June 2023 shipments.

Pakistan: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has cleared four development projects worth US$528m that are likely to lead to increased cement demand. This includes the Coal Rail Connectivity Project to connect significant coal reserves in the Thar Coal Mines with the existing rail network, including last mile connectivity to the Port of Qasim, according to the Nation newspaper. The project, part of the government’s Pakistan Vision 2025 policy, has been designed to provide reliable and efficient railway infrastructure to ‘break the geographical barriers’ of accessing domestic coal for industrial use, including cement production, which is currently reliant on more expensive imported fuels.

Separately, funding has been approved for a road project to connect the N50 and N70 national highways, to serve as the main route to connect the Central Cities of Northern Balochistan to Southern Punjab. This is expected to raise cement demand in these areas.

India: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to take necessary actions against what it says is illegal mining carried our without valid environmental clearance in the buffer zone of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan.

The call followed an application by Devidas Khatri regarding alleged illegal mining by ACC Cement (now an Adani group company) without environmental clearance and without permission to do so within 10km of the national park and wildlife sanctuary, according to the Times of India newspaper. It was also submitted by Rohit Kumar Tuteja, counsel for the petitioner, that the company continued illegal mining for more than five years, but no action was taken by the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board.

Spain: A cross-industry group of companies has launched All4Zero, a platform to speed up development of renewable fuels and the CO₂ capture in Spain. Representatives from steel-maker ArcelorMittal, oil producer Repsol and cement producer Holcim launched the platform on 6 September 2023 in Madrid, describing All4Zero as "a unique industrial technological innovation hub in Spain, of a private, multi-sector and non-profit nature, which will promote disruptive technologies in the field of renewable fuels, circular materials, CO₂ capture and conversion or renewable hydrogen, among others.” All partners share the common objective of net zero operations by 2050.

All4Zero will focus on the scale-up of early-stage technologies developed by private companies, universities, research centres and start-ups, and will allow them to validate their technological developments in real industrial environments, thus bridging the gap between ideas and implementation. Participants will be able to participate in technical conferences and carry out concept tests in the facilities provided by the industrial partners.

Morocco: Data from the Association Professionnelle des Cimentiers du Maroc (APCM) shows that the country produced 1.15Mt of cement in August 2023, 7.6% more than in August 2023. However, during the first eight months of 2023, the country produced 8.1Mt of cement, 0.8% less than the 8.2Mt made during the same period of 2022.

US: Dragon Products Company, a subsidiary of Giant Cement, has announced that it will close its plant located in Thomaston, Maine. The facility, which has been operational for almost 100 years, and has been under Dragon's ownership since 2006, will undergo a gradual shutdown, beginning in December 2023.

Dragon said that the closure had been prompted by the persistent escalation of operating and logistical costs, exerting a negative impact on the Thomaston plant's viability. "Despite our best efforts to adapt and navigate through these challenging circumstances, we have determined that these actions are necessary for the long-term sustainability of our business,” explained Roberto Polit, Vice President of Operations. Phased lay-offs are scheduled to commence in December 2023, with the process anticipated to conclude by the beginning of 2025.

"We extend our sincere gratitude to all employees who have contributed significantly to our plant in Thomaston," added Polit. "Their hard work, dedication, and commitment have been invaluable to our operations. We are also grateful for the support and understanding shown by the local community throughout the years."