Pakistan: Cement dispatches in May 2024 reached a nine-month high at 4.3Mt, marking an 8% rise year-on-year and a 45% month-on-month increase from April 2024, driven largely by a surge in exports. Over the first 11 months of the 2024 financial year, total dispatches amounted to 41.7Mt, up 3% from 2023 with exports growing by 66%, according to Pakistan Press International. However, domestic dispatches fell by 4%.
GCCA and UNIDO form global partnership to decarbonise cement industry
Global: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have entered a partnership to accelerate the decarbonisation of the cement and concrete industry, focusing on the global south. This collaboration, formalised through a memorandum of understanding, commits both organisations to advancing sustainability and decarbonisation. Their joint efforts will include developing low-emission technologies, organising international events and promoting industry solutions globally.
GCCA CEO Thomas Guillot said "Through our net zero roadmap and the accelerator programme we have put in place, we are already working with policymakers, governments and industry to overcome procurement and resourcing challenges across the global south. Having this ground-breaking agreement with UNIDO is a natural progression which we hope will fast-track progress in a meaningful way."
Heidelberg Materials and Linde launch first large-scale CCU facility at Lengfurt cement plant
Germany: Heidelberg Materials, in partnership with Linde, is constructing a large-scale carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) facility at its Lengfurt cement plant, set to start operating in 2025. According to the company, it will be the first of its kind. The project is named Capture-to-Use (CAP2U) and will capture 70,000t/yr of CO₂.
Christian Knell, general manager of Heidelberg Materials Germany, said "With the amine scrubbing technology applied here in Lengfurt, we are demonstrating the capture and utilisation of CO₂ on an industrial scale for the first time in the cement industry in Germany.”
Eurazeo backs Materrup’s €26m drive for low-carbon cement plants across Europe
France/Europe: Eurazeo, via its Smart City fund, alongside the EIC Fund and existing investors, is supporting Materrup with a €26m fundraising effort to expand its low-carbon cement technology across France and Europe. This investment will accelerate the deployment of Materrup's circular low-carbon cement plants using its non-calcined clay technology. Already operational with its first scale plant in Landes, Materrup plans to establish an additional 10 plants, in collaboration with European industrial partners.
