US: Thyssenkrupp has opened its new Reno, Nevada, service centre to customers. The centre will serve cement customers in the Western US and Canada.

Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions president Mark Terry said “We want to be where our customers need us! Thyssenkrupp already has numerous service centres distributed around the world. With an understanding of our local markets, and clientele, we are able to react, deliver faster and reduce transport time as well as costs. The service centre in Reno is another milestone for us here in North America!”

Mexico: The Mexican Chamber of the Construction Industry (CMIC) has voiced cement price concerns following the introduction of a new environmental tax on mining activity in the state of Nuevo León. Cemex operates a quarry in the state, and has resultingly experienced a rise in the cost of its cement production. The El Norte newspaper has reported that the producer’s Monterrey, Nuevo León, cement plant supplies cement across northeastern Mexico.

CMIC also lobbied the government to begin awarding public works contracts to private investors instead of the Mexican armed forces. It argued that this would help to generate jobs.

China: Nanjing Kisen International Engineering has secured a collaboration agreement with Canada-based Delta CleanTech for the implementation of the latter’s carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems at two China National Building Material (CNBM) cement plants. SCMP News has reported that there is a one-time licencing fee - which is not paid by Nanjing Kisen International Engineering but is traditionally paid by the CO₂ capture plant customer - of 4.5 - 5% of capital costs. Installations cost upward of US$40m, depending on capacity.

There are currently 40 operational or upcoming CCS installations nationally with a total capture capacity of 3Mt/yr, chiefly in the oil, coal chemicals and energy sectors.The Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning has forecast that China’s cement industry CCS demand will reach 200Mt/yr by 2060. Delta CleanTech president Jeff Allison said that current challenges for Chinese cement producers seeking to reduce their CO₂ emissions include difficulties disposing of captured CO₂ and a lack of rewards and penalties around emissions control beyond the basic national efficiency requirements.

Nanjing Kisen International Engineering previously launched its first 155kg/day pilot CCS study in partnership with the Canada-based International CCS Knowledge Centre in July 2021.

Mexico: GCC has signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with ThyssenKrupp Polysius for an upgrade to its integrated Samalayuca plant to increase clinker production capacity, raise the usage of alternative fuels and reduce emissions. The project includes the engineering, supply and modification of the preheater, including cyclones, and an extension to the calciner, with the installation of a Prepol SC-S type system to increase the utilisation of alternative fuels. The work also includes fitting a Polytrack type clinker cooler and the installation of a bypass system. The project will begin in 2022 with operations scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2023.