Global Cement News

UK: Holcim subsidiary Aggregate Industries has installed Driver Status Monitoring Systems supplied by Spillard Vehicle Safety Systems in the cabins of its Cauldon cement plant truck fleet. The systems use cameras and AI software to detect signs of tiredness, as well as mobile phone use, lane deviation, not wearing a seatbelt and smoking. In the case of tiredness, this triggers an alarm which continues to sound until the vehicle comes to a stop.

Cement supply chain manager Matt Owen said “Health and safety is a massive priority for us as a company and the industry, so anything that can serve to continuously improve our approach to it is very welcome. Driver fatigue is always a potential issue across any business involved in transport and fleet, so we’re delighted to be utilising the latest technology with our partners to ensure that everyone gets safely home from work.”

Austria: Alpacem inaugurated its new headquarters in Wietersdorf, Carinthia, on 6 October 2023. The project demonstrated the first construction application of the group’s reduced-CO₂ CEM-II/C Portland composite cement.

Managing director Lutz Weber said “With the most modern technologies for decarbonisation and our extensive building materials expertise, we have succeeded in reducing the ecological footprint of our Alpacem headquarters to a minimum.”

Poland: Górażdże Cement has announced an investment of Euro261m in planned sustainability upgrades to its Górażdże cement plant in Opole Voivodeship, the Polish News Bulletin newspaper has reported. The Heidelberg Materials subsidiary plans to build a carbon capture installation, a green energy source and a facility to recycle construction and demolition waste for use in its cement production.

Colombia: Cemento País has commissioned its Aguas Prietas grinding plant in Turbaco, Bolívar. The El Tiempo newspaper has reported that the plant is situated in Turbaco’s Cristalina Free Trade Zone

Cement commercial manager Carlos Espinosa Osorio said that the company opted to install cutting edge equipment. “This ensures that each type of cement meets the most rigorous quality and safety standards. Likewise, it translates into a comprehensive value proposition for clients, generating the necessary confidence in the durability and performance of their projects in the region.”

India: The Hindu newspaper has reported that Adani Cement and UltraTech Cement may submit offers for Heidelberg Materials’ Indian business. This follows the news that parent company Heidelberg Materials has reportedly entered into talks with JSW Cement over the possible sale of the business. It consists of cement plants in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, in addition to a cement terminal and four grinding plants across India.

Global Cement reported on 4 October 2023 that Heidelberg Materials’ Indian subsidiary HeidelbergCement India had said it was ‘unaware’ of any discussions between its parent company and JSW Cement.