US: Solidia Technologies has partnered with Xpansic CBL Holding Group (XCHG) to develop data technology products for precise measurement of CO₂ emissions and water usage in cement production. “Digital Feedstock enables industrial consumers to seamlessly connect sustainability ambitions with procurement decisions, wholly disrupting the way the cement industry meets consumer demand for accountability,” said Solidia Technologies CEO Tom Schuler.

Solidia Technologies produces reduced-CO₂ concrete with lower-energy cement and water-free CO₂ curing.

Argentina: Holcim Argentina has developed the Ultraseries range of 11 concretes for various applications to be produced at its Malagueño plant in Cordoba. José Villacreses, Holcim Argentina general manager of concretes, said “We aim to facilitate a leap in productivity, aesthetics and costs, with comprehensive solutions,” according to La Voz.

The company has announced that its upgraded 3.1Mt/yr Malagueño cement plant will be inaugurated in February 2020.

Japan: Sumitomo Osaka Cement has recorded sales of US$1.10bn in the six months to 30 September 2019, down by 0.9% from US$1.11bn in the corresponding period of 2018. In spite of this, as well as high fuel costs and an upgrade to its Shimizu cement terminal during the period, it increased its six-month profit by 7.5% to US$57.8m in the six months to 30 September 2019 from US$53.8m in the corresponding period of 2018.

India: JK Cement is awaiting environmental clearance to commence construction of a 2.0Mt/yr grinding plant at Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh. The project has been valued at US$37.5m. Domex has reported that FLSmidth is in the process supplying machinery to the facility, for which civil work has been completed. Its 2.0Mt/yr Ordinary Portland and Portland Pozzolana Cement production capacity will bring JK Cement’s installed capacity to 12.9Mt/yr. It already grinds 3.0Mt/yr of clinker at its Mudhol grinding plant near Bagalkot in Karnataka.