Global Cement News

Nigeria: Lafarge Africa, part of Switzerland-based Holcim, has presented its 2020 Sustainability Report. The company’s sustainability strategy consists of four pillars: climate and energy, circular economy, environment and community. In 2020, it co-processed 71,029t of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) and its water intensity was 201/t of cement. It also says it played a leading role in waste management in Nigeria through its partnership with the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), creating 3000 new jobs in recycling. In line with its quarry rehabilitation plan, it restored 933ha of land during the year. 9.6% of its energy consumption derived from renewable sources.

Lafarge Africa doubled the number of beneficiaries of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities within its host communities year-on-year to 250,000 in 2020. Its investments in community development initiatives to counteract the Covid-19 outbreak and its impact totalled US$2.92m.

Chair Prince Adefioye said “By deploying innovation, we are championing how Nigeria builds better. It is holistic and strategically driven to ensure that we are scaling in reach and impact in the economic and environmental spheres. In the social sphere, we are also deliberately implementing initiatives that further prepare us for the future such as leveraging technology and improving our diversity indicators.”

Nepal: Arghakhachi Cement has announced that it will issue general shares in an initial public offering (IPO) in the 2023 financial year. The exact date of the IPO is to be released later, according to the Republica newspaper. Separately, the cement producer has received certification from the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology to produce 43 grade Ordinary Portland Cement.

Switzerland: Holcim has announced a strategy to become ‘nature-positive’ by restoring and preserving biodiversity and water. It will also undertake measures to bring more nature into cities. The strategy is based on transformative rehabilitation plans and measured by a science-based methodology developed in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Holcim aims to replenish freshwater in water-risk areas while lowering water intensity across all its product lines. It will also accelerate the deployment of solutions such as Hydromedia and green roof systems for more liveable urban environments. The group says that its nature-positive strategy places it among the top 1% of the 500 largest global companies with science-driven biodiversity targets.

Chief Sustainability and Innovation Officer Magali Anderson said, “With nature at the heart of everything we do, I am pleased that we are taking significant steps to improve our biodiversity and water stewardship in a measurable and science-driven way. Building on our Net Zero commitment, our nature-based solutions play a vital role in reducing the impact of climate change and increasing our business resilience. Becoming nature-positive plays a critical role in our vision to build progress for people and the planet.”

India: The state government of Tamil Nadu has announced the launch of a new cement, called Valimai, by one of its subsidiary cement producers. The United News of India agency has reported that the government anticipates a drop in cement prices as a result of the launch. It is currently targeting a total cement capacity of 19Mt/yr with the establishment of a planned 10Mt/yr plant.

On mid-June 2021, the state government asked cement producers operating locally to lower their prices.

Argentina: The Association of Portland Cement Manufacturers (AFCP) has agreed with the Argentine Mining Workers Association union to a 48% pay rise for all Argentinean cement workers. The La Voz del Interior newspaper has reported that the union has lifted its nationwide state of alert as a result of the agreement.