Global Cement News

Germany: KS-Engineering says that Klaus Schneider died on 14 September 2023, at the age of 71. Schneider had served as managing director of KS-Engineering since 1991. He first launched the business as an ‘engineering office for environmental process engineering.’ Schneider was an internationally recognised luminary in the field of pneumatic conveyor technology, and was well known around the professional world through his seminars, articles and specialist contributions on the topic.

KS-Engineering described Schneider as ‘Creative, with a lot of scientific curiosity, always imaginative and with enormous commitment.’ His family will hold a memorial service and funeral in Rudersdorf cemetery hall at 11AM on 20 September 2023.

Uruguay: The government has declared void its tender for offers for Cementos del Plata, the cement business of state-owned Administración Nacional de Combustibles, Alcohol y Portland (ANCAP). Montevideo Portal News has reported that no bids for the business were forthcoming before the end of the tender period on 12 September 2023. Cementos del Plata has debts of US$33m and made a loss of US$20m in 2022. It expects its losses to increase by 25% to US$25m in 2023. ANCAP president Alejandro Stipanicic said that the outcome marked the close of the latest stage in the efforts to rescue the business, but that “The search for a solution will not cease."

Stipanicic said “Perhaps in Uruguay we overestimated it. Perhaps in Uruguay we wanted to believe that we had something that was worth a lot, but the value of things is not set by those who own them, it is set by those who want something. That price is clearly less than zero." He added "Today is a sad day for ANCAP, because today the anguish of many good people working in the Portland cement business saw the illusion of having a clear and convincing future frustrated."

Ghana: The Ghanaian government has ceased to issue permits for new cement plants anywhere in the country. Ghana News Agency has reported that the government enacted the policy in order to ensure the sustainable and responsible growth of Ghana’s cement industry, according to George Dawson-Ahmoah, CEO of the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana (COCMAG). Dawson-Ahmoah added that COCMAG is collaborating with the Ministry of Trade and Industry to develop optimal environment, safety and cement quality standards, and to combat unfair trade practices where they arise.

Mexico: Cooperativa La Cruz Azul subsidiary CYCNA de Oriente has commissioned a 518,000 bag/day paper bag plant next to its 1.1Mt/yr cement plant in Palmar de Bravo, Puebla.

The Reto Diario newspaper has reported that Cooperativa La Cruz Azul chair Victor Manuel Velázquez said that the paper bag plant will help to maximise the group’s impact in the local community.

India: Nuvoco Vistas has launched Duraguard Microfibre Cement, a fibre reinforced cement. The cement’s clinker is 48-52% tricalcium silicate, with low tricalcium aluminate, and contains electrostatically precipitated dry fly ash. The producer says that it offers enhanced bonding, crack resistance, strength and durability and reduced permeability, as well as a smoother surface finish, compared with ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Nuvoco Vistas first applied for a patent for the product in mid-2018.

Managing director Jayakumar Krishnaswamy said "We prioritise innovation. Our Construction Development and Innovation Centre (CDIC) is dedicated to creating sustainable and innovative products that meet the highest global standards. The awarded patent validates our unwavering commitment to innovation and keeps us in the forefront of pioneering advances in the cement industry, delivering exceptional quality and responsible business practices."