Global Cement News

Australia: Cockburn Cement has awarded US$1.65m-worth of increased work scope to construction company SIMPEC on an existing contract with the producer. Business News Australia has reported that SIMPEC is carrying out work on Cockburn Cement's Kwinana grinding plant upgrade. The cement company is in the process of consolidating its Western Australian cement production at an expanded 1.5Mt/yr facility at the site, at a cost of US$152m. A new US$35.1m clinker terminal at Kwinana Bulk Terminal will receive up to 40,000t/yr of clinker for use at the plant and in fellow cement producer BGC's local operations.

France/Switzerland: Holcim plans to delist all shares from the Euronext Paris exchange. Shares in the Switzerland-based group will continue to trade on the SIX Swiss Exchange. The cement producer explained its decision in terms of its need to simplify its trading structure. It expects thereby to further reduce its administrative costs and requirements.

US: The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) has ordered Holcim US to pay a US$100,000 fine for alleged fugitive dust emissions from its Theodore cement plant in Mobile. Between February and August 2022, witnesses reported multiple dust plumes sighted above the plant, which is situated on the Theodore canal. AL.Com News has reported that, while neither admitting or denying the contentions, Holcim US said that it has taken actions affecting its raw materials unloading processes to ensure compliance.

Plant manager Clay Copeland said “We have worked closely with the ADEM to address concerns raised earlier this year."

US: Lehigh Hanson has announced the upcoming permanent closure of its Glens Falls cement plant in northeastern New York. Times Union News has reported that the producer has extended an offer of financial and job-hunting support to the plant's 85 employees. A phased closure will commence in 2023. The company said that 'changes to the competitive landscape within the context of a global cement industry' partly informed its decision, in addition to the 'small, aging and inefficient' condition of operations at the plant. Lehigh Hanson's Mitchell, Indiana, cement plant will cover the plant's market in future.

Lehigh Hanson Northeast regional president Alex Car said "We are committed to continuing to supply our customers in the New England region. We have the available capacity to meet the current and future needs of our customers, even after the Glens Falls plant halts production." Car added "We are thankful for the dedication and efforts of our Glens Falls workforce over the years and we will work to minimise the impacts to our employees and the community as much as possible."

Colombia: Grupo Argos announced its purchase of US$2.49m-worth of shares in Cementos Argos. The purchase accounts for 0.3% of the subsidiary's share capital. At the start of 2022, Grupo Argos held a 59% majority stake in the cement producer. The next biggest single shareholders were investment services company AFP y Cesantías Protección, with 8%, and pension fund management company SAFP Porvenir, with 6.3%.