Global Cement News

Spain: Cementos Molins has appointed Marcos Cela as its CEO. He will succeed Julio Rodríguez, who has spent nine years in the post, at the end of June 2024 after the shareholders annual general meeting,

Cela holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Barcelona, a master in business administration qualification from the ESADE Business School and a senior management programme qualification from the IESE Business School. He started his career in 1995 in the finances division of Decathlon Spain. Four years later, he assumed the role of Credit and Treasury Director at BIC Graphic Europe, before joining Cementos Molins in 2004 as chief financial officer, a position he held until early 2015. Since then, Cela has been a member of the executive committee, working as the Executive VP for Asia, Africa, and South America regions.

Mexico: The National Cement Chamber (CANACEM) has appointed José María Barroso as its CEO. He will follow on from Jaime Hill Tinoco, the head of Holcim México, in the role, according to the El Financiero newspaper. Barroso’s tenure will cover the 2024 – 2025 period.

Barroso is a graduate of the Instituto Tecnologico de Merida in Yucatan and he also holds a master’s degree in international trade form the same institution. He holds over 40 years of experience in the cement sector working both nationally and internationally for Cemex. He joined Cementos Moctezuma in 2010 as its Sales Director before becoming its Director General in 2018.

Greece: Titan’s full-year 2023 report shows a 12% year-on-year rise in its sales to €2.55bn in 2023. Over 90% of sales derived from Europe and the US. Group earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 63% to €540m, with ‘double-digit’ profitability growth across all markets. Titan’s cement volumes rose by 2% to 17.5Mt in Greece, with 'double digit' growth in Western Europe, 'historically high' volumes in Southeastern Europe and increased demand and export volumes in the Eastern Mediterranean. For 2024, its outlook is positive, due to its increased volumes and prices in the US and Europe, buoyed by scheduled completion of growth projects. In particular, the group noted the strength of the US economy and high anticipated infrastructure spending, population growth and pent-up housing demand there. It expanded two US cement terminals, in Florida and Virginia, in 2023.

Chair Marcel Cobuz said “This year’s remarkable performance showcases our relentless focus on executing our strategy, delivering above-market results while positioning for further growth. In 2023, we have strengthened our presence in our core growth markets, delivered efficiency improvements and broadened our solutions, serving the increased and evolving needs of our customers. As we celebrate these achievements, we continue our digitalisation and decarbonisation journey, building on our Green Growth Strategic Directions and delivering long-term sustainable value to all our stakeholders.”

Brazil: Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN), Votorantim Cimentos and China-based Huaxin Cement have all submitted ‘virtually’ identical bids for InterCement's assets in Brazil. Valor International News has reported that Huaxin Cement may be the bidder that best 'pleases' InterCement. As a would-be market newcomer, its acquisition of the business would not require investigation by the Administrative Council for Economic Defence (CADE).

For rival bidder CSN, growth in Brazil would shape its planned initial public offering of its local cement subsidiary CSN Cimentos later in 2024. The group reportedly plans to appoint current CFO Marcelo Ribeiro as CEO of CSN Cimentos.

France: Heidelberg Materials France plans to install a 1Mt/yr carbon capture system at its Airvault cement plant in the New Aquitaine. The Airvault cement plant is undergoing an upgrade, including the replacement of two pre-existing semi-dry lines with a new dry line and pre-calciner. This will reduce the plant’s CO₂ emissions by 30% per tonne, reduce its energy consumption by 10% per tonne, reduce its clinker factor and raise its alternative fuel substitution rate to 90%. CO₂ capture is set to commence in 2030. The project is one of several, under the GOCO₂ carbon capture, storage and utilisation (CCUS) cluster, which also includes installations at Holcim France’s Saint-Pierre-La-Cour plant and Lhoist France’s Réty lime plant.

Chair Dominik von Achten said “We started an ambitious modernisation programme for our sites in France several years ago, with a planned investment of more than €400m. With the integration of AirvaultGOCO₂, we are now adding a cutting-edge project in the field of carbon capture to our previous efforts, which will enable a further, massive reduction of Heidelberg Materials’ carbon footprint in France.”

Chief sustainability officer Nicola Kimm added “Our approach in Airvault is a perfect example of Heidelberg Materials’ strategy to implement dedicated carbon reduction roadmaps. We are taking every possible step to reduce CO₂ emissions: Phasing out fossil fuels, reducing the clinker content of our cements, and improving energy efficiency. To mitigate the remaining residual emissions, we rely on CCUS – as part of an integrated scheme and with our strong partners in GOCO₂.”