Global Cement News

Indonesia: Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa has acquired a 20% stake in Amita Prakarsa Hijau, a company that specialises in the recycling of industrial and municipal refuse and biomass-derived materials into alternative fuel for the cement industry. The deal is valued at US$120,000 and was completed on 8 October 2024.

Switzerland: After an initial increase earlier in 2024, the Swiss cement industry experienced a decline from July - September 2024 with deliveries falling by 8% year-on-year to 914,625t, according to AWP Swiss News. In its latest report, Cemsuisse attributes this decline to a continued reluctance to invest in construction. Despite this, the organisation notes potential signs of recovery, particularly in infrastructure projects.

Kazakhstan: Steppe Cement has published its nine-month trading update for 2024, showing a drop in sales of 2% year-on-year in nine months up to 30 September 2024, to US$63m. Sales volumes remained level year-on-year at 1.34Mt. Regulatory News Service has reported that Steppe Cement attributed medium-term increases in production and the stabilisation of costs to capacity expansions and other capital expenditure investments since 2022. Nine-month domestic cement consumption was 9.1Mt, in line with nine-month 2023 levels. Imports accounted for 319,000t (4%) of total consumption. Meanwhile, exports totalled 720,000t.

Regarding results for the third quarter of 2024, CEO Javier del Ser Perez said "We recovered both volumes and pricing in the third quarter of 2024, following a price adjustment in the second quarter. While competition remains strong, our plant has continued to enhance its capacity and productivity, enabling us to offset the impact of past inflation. We remain focused on driving higher volumes and cash generation.”

Saudi Arabia: Eastern Province Cement Company has secured US$226m through a credit facilities agreement with Saudi National Bank. Arab News Releases has reported that Eastern Province Cement Company will use the funds for an upcoming new 10,000t/day line at its Al Khursaniyah cement plant in Eastern Province.

The on-going construction of the Al Khursaniyah cement plant’s new line has a budget of US$271m and was first announced on 7 January 2024.

US: C-Crete Technologies has poured its granite-based cement-free concrete in its first construction application at the upcoming JPMorgan Chase headquarters at 270 Park Avenue, Manhattan. Ecology, Environment and Conservation News has reported that the concrete generates no net CO₂ emissions by sequestering atmospheric CO₂ in its curing process. The concrete conforms to ASTM International standards, with a compressive strength exceeding 5000psi. Other partners on the project included engineering firm Severud Associates Consulting Engineers and construction management firm AECOM Tishman.

C-Crete Technologies president Rouzbeh Savary said "We are thrilled to introduce our new granite-based concrete at such a prestigious and iconic location. The building at 270 Park Avenue is set to become a landmark not only for its architectural grandeur, but also for its sustainable construction practices."

Severud Associates Consulting Engineers senior associate Fortunato Orlando said "The performance of C-Crete for concrete on metal deck, topping slabs, pavements and landscape work, coupled with its eco-friendly attributes, makes it a revolutionary product for the future of the construction industry."

AECOM Tishman chief operating officer John Kovacs said "Just a few years ago, constructing devoid of Portland cement and CO₂ emissions would have seemed unimaginable. And yet today, we stand as the world's first, setting new thresholds of what's possible in sustainable construction. We thank all of our partners on this project and look forward to the day when CO₂ emission-free construction is not simply an idea or a new innovation, but the industry standard across every build."