US: Bruks Siwertell is targeting its port-mobile unloader at the cement, alumina, and soya meal sectors after initially launching it to serve grain handling. It says the product has shown numerous advantages for use in cement handling and due to its enclosed design the unloader offers “no spillage and close-to-zero dust emissions.” It is available in 400t/hr or 600t/hr models and comes with a +/-30° articulating conveyor arm.

Director of mobile unloaders Jörgen Ojeda said, “For operators looking for a port-based system retaining similar flexibility during operation, but needing to discharge much larger vessels at a higher capacity, then our new port-mobile unloaders are a fantastic, extremely cost-effective option.” He added that screw-conveyor unloaders have the benefit over pneumatic discharge systems that they produce no fines, thanks to their “steady conveying velocity, with no particle collisions or crushing forces.”

Thailand: SCG’s revenue from its cement-building materials business fell by 6% year-on-year to US$4.33bn in the first nine months of 2020. The group attributed this to poor demand resulting from coronavirus-related lockdowns. However, its earnings before interest, taxation, deprecation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the division rose by 9% to US$590m due to cost savings and lower energy prices. Overall, the group reported a similar picture with sales down but earnings up. National cement sales volumes rose slightly in the third quarter of 2020.

Italy: Buzzi Unicem’s net sales fell slightly to Euro2.41bn in the first nine months of 2020 from Euro2.42bn in the same period in 2019. Its cement sales volumes declined by 1.8% to 21.7Mt from 22.1Mt. The group said that sales volumes recovered during the third quarter of 2020 due to a rebound of demand in Italy, stability in Germany and a ‘trend reversal’ in Russia. Net sales also increased in the US during the third quarter.

Turkey: Çimsa’s net sales grew by 27% year-on-year to Euro175m in the first nine months of 2020. Its operating profit more than doubled to Euro37.1m. Local sales grew faster than export sales in the reporting period but export revenue remains greater than domestic revenue. Chief executive officer (CEO) Umut Zenar reflected this when he praised the company’s strong export performance despite the challenges posed by coronavirus.