Global Cement News

North Korea: Manpho cement plant has increased its production capacity by 20% through ‘technical innovations.’ Korean News Service has reported that the installation of new equipment in the plant’s kiln line also improved clinker quality.

India: ACC and Ambuja Cements have partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) to develop a range of calcined clay cements with 50% lower CO₂ emissions than Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The collaboration will vary clinker, calcined clay and limestone levels in calcined clay cements in order to ascertain their effects on its performance. France-based Holcim Innovation Centre will fund the research.

Holcim India chief executive officer and managing director Neeraj Akhoury said "Through our extensive research and development setup, we consistently strive to develop new low-CO₂ materials for the construction industry. Calcined clay cement is one such avenue to make a significant quantitative difference in the industry and further accelerate our sustainability drive. Our academic partnership with IITD is a big step towards building a greener future and we are excited to collaborate with the best minds in the country."

The producers have previously partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) to study low-CO₂ binders with alternative reinforcements and with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) to develop smart sensing technology for continuous on-site strength evaluation of a concrete structure.

Mexico: A fire at Cruz Azul’s Tula cement plant in Hidalgo has been reported as being started intentionally by sources quoted by the Excélsior newspaper. A fire on a 500m conveyor belt at the unit was reported in the early morning on 28 November 2021. Production at the plant will not be affected. Repair work on the conveyor is expected to take up to 20 days. An official cause for the fire has yet to be disclosed.

US: Cemex USA has sold its headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida for US$13.4m. The South Florida Business Journal newspaper has reported that the company will vacate the property in early 2022. It will relocate to a nearby smaller office. Cemex USA has occupied its current headquarters since 1983. According to sources quoted by the newspaper, it no longer requires the 20,000m² space due to increased rates of remote working by staff.

Nigeria: Finland-based Wärtsilä has secured another contract for the supply of a 70MW dual-fuel gas-fired power plant to BUA Cement, this time for the upcoming Line 3 of its Obu cement plant in Edo state. The Sun newspaper has reported that the line and a new fourth line at Sokoto cement plant will bring the company’s total cement capacity to 17Mt/yr when commissioned in 2022. BUA Cement is scheduled to commission the Sokoto cement plant’s new Line 3 in November 2021.

Chair Abdul Samad Rabiu said “Currently, we have phased out the use of coal across our factories and are now shifting to gas-powered plants. As we ramp up our capacity, there is need to complement it with efficient power supply and Wärtsilä’s technology has been found to be durable and uniquely aligned with our vision for more efficient power generation at all our production locations.”