Global Cement News

Austria: W&P Zement has installed a Euro2.5m new raw materials processing plant at its Peggau quarry in Styria. The plant will introduce modern washing and sieving processes to operations at the quarry, with an additional sludge buffer for the processing of clayey material. Project manager and mining manager Jürgen Kolp said that the plant will improve the sustainability of the company’s raw materials extraction operations by increasing the limestone yield from excavated raw material.

Spain: Cementos Molins has secured a renewal of its sustainability-linked loan until December 2026 and increased its limit to Euro300m. The loan is linked to reductions in Cementos Molins’ CO₂ emissions.

Chief financial officer Jorge Bonnin said “This innovation, together with the robust financial position and the strong cash generation, enables the development of the profitable and sustainable growth strategy through markets consolidation and development in new markets.”

India: Police have successfully raided a fake cement mixing and bagging operation in the Patel Nagar district of West Delhi. The Times of India newspaper has reported that the accused perpetrators claim to have recorded a profit of US$2.69/bag by contaminating cement purchased for US$3.36/bag with expired cement from building sites. Two people were processing a 350 bag order at the time of the raid.

Police continue to work to trace all cement dispatches from the factory in the interest of public safety.

Libya: The National Mining Corporation and Abraj Al-Ghad Company have contracted AstroPlan, FLSmidth and Grenzebach for the construction of a five-factory building materials production complex at Bani Walid. The Libya Herald newspaper has reported that the 16,300ha complex will include a new cement plant. The Libyan Ministry of Industry and Materials said that a total of 4000 new jobs will be available at the complex.

Colombia: Dow Jones has named Grupo Argos in its Sustainability Index 2021, the company’s ninth time appearing in the ranking. It achieved its highest ratings in materiality, risk management, environmental reporting, climate change strategy, social reporting and human rights. The group said that the listing constitutes its recognition as the most sustainable cement company in the world. Its sustainable initiatives include offering collection of its used cement bags, supplying all the electricity for its Colombian operations from renewable sources and currently having three credit facilities linked to environmental, social and governance indicators.

Legal and sustainability vice-president Maria Isabel Echeverri said “At Argos, we are greatly satisfied with this result which places us as a world benchmark in sustainability and reassures our commitment to closing gaps and implementing best practices in social, environmental, financial and corporate governance matters. This drives us to continue moving forward in creating social value to build the dreams of housing and infrastructure for millions of people.”