Global Cement News

US: Prometheus Materials has been awarded ASTM C129 certification for non-loadbearing concrete masonry units (CMU) and ASTM C90 for loadbearing CMUs for its bio-cement product. The company is commercialising a process to produce cement and concrete using microalgae.

Loren Burnett, the chief executive officer of Prometheus Materials, said “We are thrilled to have achieved these two foundational certifications as we proceed in full-force with our goal of decarbonising construction.” He added, “Prometheus Materials’ product is poised to change the future of construction, converting one of the most carbon-polluting industries to a low-carbon – and one day net-zero carbon – reality.”

Find out more about Prometheus Materials in the October 2022 issue of Global Cement MagazinePrometheus Materials in the October 2022 issue of Global Cement Magazine

Germany: Beumer Group is preparing to exhibit at the Solids Dortmund trade fair on 29 – 30 March 2023. The supplier will be showcasing its equipment for conveying, loading, palletising and packaging various bulk materials for the cement, building materials and chemical industries. Solids Dortmund covers equipment for granules, powder and bulk solids technologies.

India: Nuvoco Vistas recorded consolidated sales of US$315m during the third quarter of its 2023 financial year. This corresponds to a rise of 20% year-on-year from US$262m during the third quarter of the 2022 financial year. The producer's earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 13% year-on-year to US$33m from US$29.2m. As a result, the company was able to overcome increased costs to reduce its net loss by 12% to US$9.1m.

India: UltraTech Cement has commissioned a new 1.5Mt/yr grinding unit at its Jharsuguda grinding plant in Odisha. The unit more than doubles the plant's capacity to 2.5Mt/yr. The Hindu BusinessLine News has reported that UltraTech Cement now has a production capacity of 4.1Mt/yr in Odisha. The Eastern Indian state thus hosts 3.3% of the producer's total capacity of 123Mt/yr.

US: Holcim has signed an agreement with Duro-Last to acquire the roofing systems producer for US$1.29bn. Reuters has reported that the acquisition will be Holcim's largest for all of 2022 and 2023 so far. Once the parties complete the transaction, Duro-Last's business will join Holcim's products and systems division. Holcim expects the deal to yield synergies of US$60m/yr, primarily through a reduction in the cost of materials.

Holcim expects its products and systems division to contribute a majority of its profit in North America once increased investment under the US government's Inflation Reduction Act begins to take effect. In 2022, the division accounted for 40% of regional profit. The group is committed to a global target of 30% of sales being attributable to the products and systems division by 2025, compared to 19% of sales in 2022.