Global Cement News

India: Adani Group is planning to build two new cement plants in Andhra Pradesh with a combined production capacity of 10Mt/yr. Karan Adani, the son of the group’s founder Gautam Adani, made the announcement, among a slate of new investments being developed for the state, according to Business Today. At present the group does not have any cement production plants in Andhra Pradesh, although it does operate two ports at Krishnapatnam and Gangavaram respectively. The other projects include renewable power units with a capacity of 15,000MW and data centres.

Senegal: The International Finance Corporation (ICF) has arranged a Euro242m finance package for SOCOCIM Industries to build a new production line at its Rufisque cement plant in Dakar Region. Euro214m of the loans will be used to decarbonise cement production at the site, including a contribution towards a larger Euro260m upgrade project. The new planned production line will have an alternative fuels substitution rate of 70%, increased energy efficiency and will reduce the plant’s CO₂ emissions.

The finance package organised by the IFC comprises a Euro120m loan from the IFC's own account and Euro122m equivalent in local currency parallel loans from Société Générale Sénégal, CBAO Groupe Attijariwafa Bank, Banque Internationale Pour Le Commerce et l'Industrie du Sénégal, and Ecobank Sénégal. Société Générale Sénégal has been appointed as the administrative agent to manage the local currency financing with the other lenders.

SOCOCIM is a subsidiary of France-based Vicat. Fives revealed in early 2022 that it would supply a 6500t/day kiln line for the Rufisque plant.

US: Alamo Cement has completed a new solar power unit that supports its integrated cement plant in San Antonio, Texas. The unit has a capacity of 17,800MWhr and is situated on an 18 hectare site. It is expected to generate up to 15% of the plant’s annual power consumption and reduce electricity costs.

Ireland: CRH is preparing to move its primary listing of shares to a US-based stock exchange. The group said in its financial results for 2022 that it had come to the conclusion that, “a US primary listing would bring increased commercial, operational and acquisition opportunities for CRH, further accelerating our successful integrated solutions strategy and delivering even higher levels of profitability, returns and cash for our shareholders.” It added that the US market represented around 75% of its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA). It expects that the US will be a ‘key’ driver of future growth for the company, with increases in infrastructure funding, a push for on-shoring of manufacturing activity and high levels of under-build in the residential construction market supporting this outlook.

The group plans to tell its shareholders in further details about the move in exchange. CRH plc will remain headquartered, incorporated and tax-resident in Ireland.

US: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that 10 cements plants have received its Energy Star certification in 2022 from a total of 86 manufacturing plants across all industries. The certification is awarded to the top 25% performers in energy efficiency in each sector. The EPA cited examples of how Titan America’s Troutville plant in Virginia and its Medley plant in Florida had converted production to Portland Limestone Cement (PLC), and achieved a 12% reduction in electricity use and an 18% reduction in CO2 emissions, respectively, thanks to improved energy management. It also mentioned Cemex’s Miami plant in Florida, which increased its energy performance in 2022 by modifying a finish mill, optimising the ball charge on the largest mill and identifying and correcting potential energy losses while also increasing the production of PLC.

Cement plants awarded the Energy Star certification in 2022 include: Drake Cement’s Paulden plant and Salt River Materials Group’ Clarkdale plant in Arizona; GCC’s Pueblo plant in Colorado, Cemex’s Miami plant and Titan America’s Medley plant in Florida; Argos USA’s Harleyville plant in South Carolina; GCC’s Rapid City plant in South Dakota; Buzzi Unicem USA’s Chattanooga plant in Tennessee; Titan America’s Troutville plant in Virginia; and Ash Grove Cement’s Seattle plant in Washington.