Global Cement News

Azerbaijan: The State Customs Committee (SCC) reports that cement production in Azerbaijan reached 3.42Mt in the first 10 months of 2024, an increase of 11.2% compared to the same period in 2023.

The SCC also reported that Azerbaijan exported 695,656t of cement and clinker in the first 10 months of 2024, a 2.4% decline compared to the same period of 2023. However, the value of exports rose by 5.8% to reach US$43.1m, reflecting stronger pricing dynamics in international markets.

Azerbaijan’s cement capacity is approximately 5.2Mt/yr, which provides a solid foundation to meet both domestic and export demand.

North Korea: South Korea-based news outlet Daily NK has reported that an explosion took place in the kiln at North Korea’s Mt Purae cement plant in the early hours of 14 November 2024. It reports that the plant was ‘straining’ to meet ‘aggressive production targets’ after being pushed above its rated capacity.

Speaking anonymously, a source with knowledge of the event said “The explosion was caused by overloading the kiln, as factory management sought to raise production targets under pressure from the provincial party committee, which was responding to the central government’s appeal to demonstrate a spirit of self-sufficiency.”

Plant technicians who analysed the explosion said that management had been too focused on boosting productivity and output cement to properly maintain the kiln. Its managers acknowledged that the accident would not have occurred if they had stuck to the plant’s design capacity.

The factory has since announced that it will adjust its production schedule and resume normal operations after swiftly repairing the damage. No workers were injured.

Nigeria: Holcim plans to sell Lafarge Africa to China-based Huaxin Cement for an equity value of US$1bn. The Switzerland-based building materials producer owns an 83% share of the subsidiary. The transaction is expected to close in 2025 subject to regulatory approvals.

Lafarge Africa operates four integrated cement plants in Nigeria at Sagamu and Ewekoro in Ogun State, at Mfamosing in Cross River State and the Ashaka Cement plant in Gombe State. It has a combined production capacity of 10.5Mt/yr. The company also holds a ready-mixed concrete production capacity of 0.4Mm3/yr. Its local recycling subsidiary, Geocycle, reported an alternative fuels thermal substitution rate of 37% in 2022.

India: Ambuja Cements has started a strategic partnership with Finland-based Coolbrook to use its RotoDynamic Heater (RDH). The technology uses renewably powered electrical heat to replace or reduce the amount of fossil fuels used for reaching high temperatures in cement kiln pre-calciners. No indication of the price or which cement plants will be upgraded with the equipment has been disclosed. The deal is intended to help Ambuja Cements meet its targets of reaching an alternative fuels thermal substitution rate of 28% and a renewable energy rate of 60% by 2028.

Ajay Kapur, CEO - Cement Business, Adani Group, said, “We continuously seek out innovations which drive efficiency and decarbonisation across our cement manufacturing value chain. Leveraging our Adani Group’s green power generation capabilities, we will be able to reduce fossil fuel dependence, costs, and emissions, ultimately delivering the best value for our stakeholders.”

Vietnam: Thailand-based Siam Cement Group (SCG) says it is expanding the production of its SCG Low Carbon cement product in southern Vietnam. It plans to export up to 8000t/day of the product to the US, Canada, and Australia, as well as supplying local green-procurement projects, according to the Vietnam Business Forum. The company says its low-carbon cement reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 20%, compared to regular products, through the use of alternative fuels, renewable energy sources and installing waste heat recovery (WHR) units at its plants. SCG formally launched SCG Low Carbon Super Cement in the country in July 2024.