Global Cement News

China: Tangshan Jidong Cement’s operating income fell by 14% year-on-year to US$1.99bn in the first half of 2023 from US$2.31bn in the same period in 2022. Its sales volumes of cement and clinker grew by 14% to 44Mt. However, it reported a loss of US$50.7m compared to a profit of US$157m previously. Its operating income fell in all regions domestically except the North-east of the country. The company noted that low cement prices had led to a decline in the profits of the cement sector.

Peru: Switzerland-based Maerz has received an order from UNACEM (Unión Andina de Cementos) to supply a 600t/day PFR lime kiln. The kiln will be built and operated jointly at Tarma by UNACEM and Mexico-based lime producer Calidra Group. UNACEM already runs its integrated Condorcocha cement plant in Tarma. The supplier says that the kiln will be ready to install future CO₂ capture technologies due to airtight sealed charging and discharging systems. It will also save up to 20% of electrical energy compared to conventional rotary piston blowers by using high-pressure fans to provide the process air.

Planning is underway for the project and is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. Maerz’ scope of supply will include the petroleum coke firing system, skip winch, charging and discharging systems, high-pressure fans, hydraulic unit and control system. According to the schedule, commissioning should take place in the first half of 2025.

Canada: Heidelberg Materials says that its integrated Delta cement plant in British Columbia has switched to exclusively producing its EcoCem Portland limestone cement (PLC). EcoCem PLC is a Portland limestone cement that contains up to 15% limestone and generates approximately 10% less CO₂ compared to other Portland cements. It has equivalent performance to ASTM and CSA standards for Type I/II Portland cement in strength and durability, and can be used in any application where Portland cement Type I is normally used.

Prior to the full transition to PLC production, the plant had already taken steps to reduce its CO2 emissions by using alternative fuels. The Delta cement plant has been in operation since the 1970s.

Indonesia: Sweden-based Bruks Siwertell has received an order for two 10 000 S road-mobile ship unloaders for use in cement handling in Sumatra. The new road-mobile units are scheduled for delivery later in 2023 and will support a cement handling capacity of 300t/hr, discharging vessels up to 10,000dwt. Jörgen Ojeda, Bruks Siwertell’s Sales Director Mobile Unloaders, said that the two road-mobile models would add to a range of Siwertell screw-type dry bulk handling systems already delivered to the region including four large-scale Siwertell ship unloaders and one ship loader.

Japan: Sumitomo Osaka Cement has prepared a corporate human rights policy that recognises that respect for human rights is the foundation of competent management and a key part of the company’s awareness of social norms and corporate ethics. The policy acknowledges that the group’s business activities might have a direct or indirect negative impact on human rights through its business activities, and aims to reduce this. It aligns with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the International Bill of Human Rights and the International Labor Organization Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. The company will distribute the policy internally and share it with its business partners.