Global Cement News

Mexico: Cemex has reported its successful completion of laboratory tests aimed at converting CO₂ emitted by cement kilns into carbon nanomaterials. The producer said that it was able to turn 50% of available carbon in a flue gas stream into nanomaterials. Possible industrial uses for carbon nanomaterials include in building materials, biomedicines, electronics and agriculture. Cemex says that its next step will be to scale the technology for a cement plant pilot study.

CEO Fernando Gonzalez said “This breakthrough technology is significant for Cemex, not only because it offers the potential to commercialise carbon emissions, but because it demonstrates the value of our Smart Innovation platform. The path to carbon neutrality will be built with innovation, and we remain committed to being at the forefront in developing new circular technologies and processes.”

Cameroon: The government has enacted a ban on the export of cement, along with other commodities including oil and grain, from East Region. The Journal du Cameroun newspaper has reported that the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine have exacerbated a difficult supply situation of the basic commodities in the region, dating to the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak in the country in March 2020.

The East Region borders the Central African Republic and Congo. It has no cement plants of its own.

India: The Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) has named Ambuja Cements’ Rabriyawas cement plant as winner of its National Safety Award (Mines). Its winning initiatives include its Behaviour Based Safety training programme and Reward & Recognition employee engagement programme. Ambuja Cements said that the award confirms that Ambuja's Zero Harm policy has borne fruit.

India: An explosion at a cement plant in Gujarat’s Rajkot district has killed three workers. The Times of India newspaper has reported that police have detained two engineers on suspicion of criminal negligence.

Zimbabwe: UK-based Associated International Cement Limited (ACIL) has reportedly rejected an offer for its 76% stake in Lafarge Zimbabwe. Lafarge Zimbabwe company secretary Faithful Sithole said that the parent company is still assessing offers received for the stake. The NewZimbabwe newspaper has reported that the declined offer may have come from China-based Huaxin Cement.