Global Cement News

Canada: Progressive Planet Solutions has launched a new supplementary cementitious material (SCM) called Gladiator SCM. The company developed Gladiator SCM using its PozGlass recycled glass-based SCM with other more abundant materials. The company says that it has supplied a sample to a global cement producer for evaluation.

Asia: South East Asia's regional cement association, the ASEAN Federation of Cement Manufacturers (AFCM), has launched its AFCM 2035 Roadmap at its 46th Council Meeting at the Rizqun International Hotel in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. Under the roadmap, AFCM members will achieve a cumulative 38Mt reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2035. Efforts will unfold under four priority areas: promoting low-carbon cement, advancing the energy transition, maximising supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and adopting deep decarbonisation technologies. The council meeting served the members to help align their strategies, including through the proposed establishment of a unified emissions reporting system.

India: Ambuja Cements has placed a US$100m order for seven 19,000dwt bulk carriers from China-based Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding. The Economic Times newspaper has reported that the vessels will serve logistics operations at the company’s 6.1Mt/yr Sanghi Cement plant in Gujarat.

US: Researchers at Princeton University have developed cementitious composites with 17-times greater toughness and 19-times greater ductility than ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The materials are laser-processed into a grooved structure and laminated with elastomeric polyvinyl siloxane interlayers. The design is inspired by the nacre inner lining of seashells, also known as mother-of-pearl. This results in the toughening mechanisms of interlayer deformation, tortuous crack propagation and crack bridging. The composites have fracture toughness of 73.7MPa.mm^1/2, without any reduction in strength compared to OPC.

Switzerland: Measurements specialist ABB has published a new study about industrial downtime. The company, together with Sapio Research, surveyed 3600 senior decision-makers across various industries, including cement. The study showed that 44% of leaders experience equipment-related interruptions at least monthly and 14% at least weekly. Of those experiencing weekly interruptions, just 20% have a proactive modernisation strategy. A majority of respondents estimate the cost of these interruptions at US$10,000 – US$500,000/hr; 7% believe it is higher. 67% have upgraded their motors or drives in the past two years, and 55% plan to do so. Cost remains the top barrier to modernisation for 28% of industrial players.

ABB Motion Services Modernisation Programme Head Oswald Deuchar said "Unplanned downtime is costing industry up to half a million US Dollars per hour – yet one in three businesses hasn't modernised their motor-driven systems in the last two years. That's more than a missed opportunity, it's a silent crisis. Our research shows that those who shift from reactive firefighting to forward-looking life-cycle strategies experience fewer failures and greater resilience. A key challenge, though, remains in justifying the up-front investment.”