China: Huaxin Cement has announced that it burned 2.7t of seized opiates in its fuel mix at its Diwei cement plant in Chongqing. Representatives of the Chongqing Anti-Drug Committee, Public Service Bureau, Eco-Environmental Bureau and Procuratorate were in attendance. Huaxin Cement reports that the dangerous substances have been “safely disposed of.” The producer said that this is the largest single volume of drugs to have been combusted in a cement kiln. The plant previously burnt 1.22Mt of illicit substances in 2018.

Colombia: Cementos Argos Colombia has reported on its situation and shared its business outlook as it returns to full operations post-coronavirus lockdown. The company says that 1700 people are currently active in operations, with 910 working from home and 660 on furlough. In May 2020 it served 5300 customers, down by 74% year-on-year from 7210 in May 2019. Cement volumes fell by 41% and concrete volumes by 43%. 44 of Cementos Argos Colombia’s 58 concrete plants were operational, and 73 of its 92 work centres.

During the lockdown period the company completed over 100 new infrastructure project supply contracts. Cementos Argos Colombia regional vice president Tomás Restrepo said, “We are confident in a positive future, in our resilience, in the ability to face challenges and that we have extraordinary talent who are aware of the importance of self-care and who work every day on good ideas to continue to be the best allies of our client.”

Germany: Haver & Boecker and BillerudKorsnäs have published ten Sack Packaging Norms to provide a “common language” to correct “repeated, unnecessary errors which to lead to waste and loss of product performance.” BillerudKorsnäs Technical Service Director Mikael Peterson said, “If producers and users of paper bag packaging follow the recommendations and guidelines, and implement these norms in their supply chain - efficient and effective packaging manufacturing, filling, handling, storage and transport of the finished goods will be secured. As an industry we will reduce waste significantly, making a major contribution to saving our planet.”

Tunisia: Carthage Cement has announced the successful shipment of 4100t of cement from its 2Mt/yr integrated Jebel Ressas plant in Ben Arous Governorate. The shipment was postponed from March 2020 due to the coronavirus lockdown in Italy and Tunisia and is to be the first of a number of shipments of a total of 250,000t of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), in accordance with Carthage Cement’s contract with a local construction firm.