Global Cement News

India: Adani Group is negotiating the purchase of Heidelberg Materials' cement business in India, potentially valued at US$1.2bn, according to Reuters. Heidelberg Materials has been present in India since 2006, and owns four plants with a total capacity of 12.6Mt/yr. The acquisition discussions come amidst increased consolidation in the Indian cement sector, driven by heightened demand due to government investment in housing and infrastructure.

India: Orient Cement has won an order from Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Co to install a clinker grinding unit at Satpura Thermal Power Station, Sarni. The ‘work order’ was issued by the company to install the grinding unit, along with a 25-year fly ash supply contract. Earlier in August 2024, Orient Cement said that it anticipates a robust demand recovery in the second half of the financial year post-monsoon.

Sweden: SaltX Technology has secured a new grant from the Swedish Energy Agency for its project ‘Demonstration of new electric kiln technology at industrial scale to enable emission-free cement production.’ This funding follows previous support for testing and optimising electric quicklime production at its test and research facility in Hofors, Sweden. The grant aims to adapt and test SaltX's technology specifically for cement production, awarded under the pilot and demonstration program. It constitutes partial funding for the work that is planned to begin in March 2025 at the company's test and research facility.

Acting CEO of SaltX, Lina Jorheden, said "It is very encouraging that the Swedish Energy Agency supports us in our work to commercialise SaltX's electrification technology for the cement industry. The grant is an important component in the upcoming industrialisation phase."

UK: The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has endorsed the UK government's commitment to finance the country’s first carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) sites, which could help make the creation of the nation's first net zero cement plant a reality. One of the projects hoping to receive funding is Heidelberg Materials’ Padeswood Cement Works in Flintshire, part of the HyNet North West cluster of industrial sites poised to implement CCUS. The government's support for CCUS not only progresses the decarbonisation efforts of the UK concrete, cement, and lime sectors, but also reduces the pressure to import cement from overseas, protecting the UK economy by sustaining local industry and jobs.

MPA executive director for energy and climate change Diana Casey, said “It is very positive to see the Government’s commitment to two carbon capture clusters and this news provides an important signal of intent to businesses and the investor community. While we await the specific detail of the package of support, the support announced for the HyNet cluster creates an opportunity to bring forward the UK’s first cement carbon capture plant.”

UK: The government has announced a €26.3bn investment to develop carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects in northern England. The investment will subsidise three projects to capture CO₂ from various sources, including Heidelberg Materials’ Padeswood cement plant, and support infrastructure for transporting and storing CO₂ in Liverpool Bay and the North Sea. The initiative also plans to establish the UK's first large-scale hydrogen production plant. The funding, promised over the next 25 years, aims to establish two carbon capture clusters in Merseyside and Teesside. The investment is expected to create ‘thousands’ of jobs, attract €9.5bn in private investment and advance the UK's climate objectives.

Heidelberg Materials UK CEO Simon Willis said “Today’s announcement from the government to drive ahead with investment in CCS clusters is a major milestone in the decarbonisation of UK industry and sets the construction sector on the path to net zero. As part of the HyNet North West decarbonisation cluster, we are bringing forward our plans for the CCS plant at a UK cement works at Padeswood in North Wales. The government’s backing of this critical technology means that the production of zero carbon cement before the end of this decade has taken a big step forward.”