Global Cement News

Switzerland/UAE: The COP28 UAE Presidency named École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) among its Energy Transition Changemakers in the Heavy Emitting Sectors category. EPFL won the prize for its LC3 limestone calcined clay cement, which replaces 50% of clinker content with calcined kaolinite clay and limestone. LC3 cement reduces CO₂ emissions by 40% compared to ordinary Portland cement (OPC), and is a readily available solution that can be scaled worldwide. EPFL noted the special importance of LC3 cement for CO₂ reduction efforts in developing countries, and sees it as having the potential to eliminate 500Mt/yr of global CO₂ emissions by 2030. In a post to LinkedIn, the LC3 Project said that nine plants around the world currently produce LC3 cement, with a further 20 planned before 2025.

Malaysia: Hume Cement Industries has issued medium-term notes worth US$21.4m, which it said were fully redeemed on 18 December 2023. InPR News has reported that the issuance is the first part of a US$107m programme.

Azerbaijan: Holcim Azerbaijan plans to build a 2000t-capacity cement terminal in the Araz Valley Economic Zone in Jabrayil. AzerNews has reported that Holcim Azerbaijan will build the terminal in phases, commencing in 2024. The producer’s offering in the local market includes its ECOPlanet Inshaatchi and ECOPlanet Optimal reduced-CO₂ cements. In a later phase, it will install a dry adhesive and ready-mix concrete batching plant at the facility. Planned investments at the site total US$2m.

Commercial director Sergiu Stoicov said "We aim to bring new methods to help the construction industry build sustainably. Through Inshaatchi and Optimal, we are taking a step in the race for CO₂ reduction and the use of alternative raw materials. Holcim Azerbaijan is the first company in the Caucasus to offer green cement.”

Azerbaijan produced 3.42Mt of cement throughout the first 11 months of 2023. This represents a 4.1% year-on-year rise from 11-month 2022 levels. Meanwhile, clinker production rose by 10% year-on-year to 3.51Mt.

UK: The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has welcomed government plans for the implementation of a UK carbon border adjustment mechanism for cement by 2027. The association urged the government to develop policy and business models for carbon capture, use and storage, including supporting a domestic carbon neutral and negative products sector.

MPA executive director for energy and climate change Diana Casey said “We cannot take our supply of cement for granted and neither can we put ourselves at risk of unstable international trading markets. That is why today’s commitment to a UK CBAM is so important. Levelling the carbon cost between domestic production and imports will help the UK attract the investment required to decarbonise and ensure our long-term security of supply. The Government’s commitment to bring in the UK CBAM by 2027 is very welcome, and ideally it should be introduced in 2026 to align with the EU scheme. This is the only way to prevent any detrimental impact of the EU CBAM on UK industry.” She added “As well as a CBAM on cement, the MPA would be interested in exploring a CBAM on lime. However, the challenge for the lime sector is ensuring that lime exports can compete in international markets.”

Australia: Ireland-based CRH and Barro Group have partnered to jointly acquire Adbri outright. The companies currently control 47.6% of Adbri combined – a 4.6% stake under CRH and a 43% stake under Barro Group. Under their offer to shareholders, CRH will raise its stake in the company to 57%. The partners have valued the company at US$1.4bn as part of their proposal. Following the conclusion of any such deal, the companies reportedly plan to delist Adbri from the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).

CRH chief executive officer Albert Manifold said "Adbri is an attractive business with quality assets that complement our core competencies in cement, concrete and aggregates. With its leading market positions in Australia, we are delighted that this opportunity has presented itself to us.” He added “It is the next logical step for CRH to expand our existing presence in Australia, where we have been operating for 15 years. We look forward to working with the Barro family over the coming years to enhance the long-term performance of the business, leveraging our scale, industry knowledge and technical expertise to improve long-term growth and operating performance and drive value to achieve the true potential of the business.”