Global Cement News

India: Holcim subsidiaries ACC and Ambuja Cements, along with Dalmia Cement, Shree Cement, UltraTech Cement and 15 other Indian cement producers, have violated antitrust laws through price collusion and supply restriction, a Competition Commission of India (CCI) investigation has uncovered. Reuters News has reported that regular price rises in the Indian cement market were the outcome of collusion between producers, which set target prices by district and carried out twice weekly inspections of participant companies’ operations. Senior executives from ACC and UltraTech Cement, among other companies, served as state-wide coordinators. They planned and carried out their deception by means including messaging platform WhatsApp.

ACC and UltraTech Cement, along with ACC’s fellow Holcim subsidiary Ambuja Cements, declined to comment, however Holcim said “The Indian companies are managing this matter responsibly and we expect them to continue to do so accordingly."

India: India imported 2.03Mt of coal from Russia in July 2022, making the widely sanctioned nation its third largest source of coal that month. The figure represents a 10% month-on-month increase from 1.85Mt-worth of Russian coal imports in June 2022. The Economic Times newspaper has reported that the single largest importer of thermal coal in July 2022 was UltraTech Cement, with 170,000t.

Argentina: ECOPact reduced-CO₂ concrete accounted for 50% of Holcim Argentina’s cement deliveries at the end of the first half of 2022, a higher share than in any other country apart from the UK. Holcim launched ECOPact concrete across its markets in June 2021. Holcim Argentina plans to execute new investments to further increase its distribution of the product.

The company’s head of concrete José Villacreses said “We have set ourselves even more challenging goals. We will be the undisputed ally for sustainable projects throughout Argentina. Whoever wants to measure their carbon footprint to offer sustainable construction will find in Holcim the necessary solution to be able to achieve the certifications that society demands today.”

US: Mexico-based Cemex Ventures has invested in construction sustainability early-stage venture fund Zacua Ventures. The producer says that other investors include Andres Construction, GS Futures, Progreso X and Sabancı Building Materials Group.

Cemex Ventures head Gonzalo Galindo said
"As pioneers in the construction industry's transformation, we are happy to be part of this investment vehicle to seek innovative solutions that help boost productivity, sustainability and urbanization.” Galindo added “The collaboration and synergy between the involved partners will help further accelerate our efforts.”

US: GCC plans to invest US$750m in an upgrade to its 0.9Mt/yr Odessa cement plant in Texas. The Milenio newspaper has reported that the upgrade will more than double the plant’s capacity to 1.9Mt/yr and lower its CO₂ emissions per tonne of cement by 13%. GCC expects the new capacity to be operational by 2025.

The group said “GCC will carry out the project at the Odessa plant because the US market is developing faster and represents savings in freight compared to the plant located in Chihuahua, Mexico.”