US: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared Cemex USA an Energy Star Partner of the Year, the highest award for energy-efficient production in the US. Cemex USA President Jaime Muguiro said, “Sustainability is embedded in our day-to-day operations and is an integral part of our core business strategy. Energy conservation is part of our vision as we are building a better future and believe it’s our responsibility to vigorously practice energy management through on-going initiatives and the use of alternative fuels.”

Cemex USA has earned more than 50 Energy Stars since 2007.

Sweden: Refractories specialist Höganäs Borgestad opened its new headquarters at Gävle, Gävleborg county on 27 April 2020. The facility will house the Energy and Kiln Engineering, Installation and Management departments.

During the coronavirus lockdown one project of note for Höganäs Borgestad has been refractory maintenance at Germany-based HeidelbergCement subsidiary Norcem’s 1.2Mt/yr Brevik cement plant in Telemark, Norway, for which it supplied 600t of refractories and 45 workers over a three week period.

China: China Resources Cement (CRC)’s profit in the first three months of 2020 was US$144m, down by 25% year-on-year from US$192m in the corresponding period of 2019. Sales were US$722m, down by 26% from US$969m. CRC sold 11.2Mt of cement over the period, down by 27% from 15.2Mt, although prices hadincreased. Cement sales constituted 82% of total revenue at US$589m, down by 22% from US$752m.

Mexico: Cemex has implemented more than 50 new safety protocols to minimise the risk of coronavirus spread in its cement, ready-mix concrete and aggregates operations. Cemex said that it recognised ‘the importance of the construction industry in supporting the maintenance and service of essential infrastructure required to face the pandemic and contribute to the economy,’ and would resume or continue all possible operations in line with the regulations of the countries in which it operates.

“The health and safety of its employees is the company’s number one priority,” said Cemex. “Among the protocols implemented are the company’s Personal Hygiene Protocol, Physical Distancing Protocol, Screening at Workplace Protocol, Cemex Truck Drivers Protocol, Workplace Cleaning Protocol, and Commuting To and From Work Protocol,” all developed in line with advice from national and international bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO).
Cemex has leveraged its Cemex Go digital platform to limit physical contact and ‘protect employees, customers and suppliers.’