Global Cement News

Sri Lanka: Lanwa Sanstha Cement says that it will invest US$60m in expanding its newly commissioned Hambantota grinding plant in order to enable it to serve 60% of local demand.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said "Construction is a key contributor to the local gross domestic product (GDP). Our construction sector has a competitive edge in the global context, given its focus on technology and its emphasis on ethics and sustainability. We are certain this endeavour would serve to boost investor confidence, which is timely."

Germany: Rohrdorfer and Austria-based Andritz Group are in the process of installing a 2t/day CO₂ separation plant on the roof of the former’s Rohrdorf cement plant in Bavaria. The pilot plant will capture CO₂ from the plant’s emissions for use by the regional chemicals industry. The Ingenieur newspaper has reported that it will cost Euro3m and is scheduled for commissioning before June 2022. It is the first installation of its kind at a German cement plant.

Rohrdorfer’s plant and process engineering manager Helmut Leibinger said “We must begin to see CO₂ as a product of value rather than a problem. With CO₂ as a carbon source, Germany can protect the climate and at the same time become less dependent on oil and natural gas. In addition, value creation and jobs will remain in the country.”

Sri Lanka: Lanwa Sanstha Cement has successfully commissioned its 2.8Mt/yr Hambantota grinding plant in the Mirijjawila Export Processing Zone. Daily News (Sri Lanka) has reported that the facility is equipped with two bridge ship unloaders and an automated stacker reclaimer yard. It will produce the company’s full range of cements, including ordinary Portland cement (OPC), Portland composite cement (PPC) and blended hydraulic cement (BHC) catering to the rising local demand from landmark projects including the Port City and the network of expressways.

Trinindad & Tobago: The Caribbean Court of Justice has ruled against Hard Rock Cement in its challenge against Trinidad & Tobago’s 50% tariff on hydraulic cement. Nation News has reported that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)’s Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) granted Trinidad & Tobago’s application to implement the new tariff in 2020. It remained in force for all of 2021. Cement importer Caribbean Cement challenged both the decision and the conduct of the application process.

New Zealand: Golden Bay Cement has obtained two hydrogen-fuelled cement trucks produced by Hyzon. TR Group leased the vehicles to the cement company.

Golden Bay Cement said “These two zero emission green trucks signal the future, and are just another step we take to a smaller carbon footprint across our business.”