Global Cement News

India: Dalmia Bharat subsidiary Dalmia Cement (Bharat) has marked World Environment Day with the ceremonial planting of a tree at the Bokaro cement plant in Jharkhand. In Assam, the company planted 6000 Neem, Royal Poinciana and Yellow Poinciana saplings and 4km of bamboo fence around its Alsthom Industries cement plant in Jagiroad.

Dalmia Cement (Bharat) executive director Indrajit Chatterji said, “We at Dalmia Cement have been firm believers in creating a clean and green ecosystem, especially in this pandemic situation across the world. With this tree plantation drive, we would humbly like to make a contribution towards the nature. I would urge all, to come forward and join hands to do our bit towards enabling a greener environment not only for us, but for the future generations to come. We, as a responsible corporate citizen, will always come forward to do whatever we can for the society at large.”

Lithuania: The Lithuanian Competition Council has permitted Germany-based Schwenk Zement to increase its stake in Akmenes Cement to 97% from 47%. The markets authority also granted permission for Schwenk Zement’s 75% acquisition of limestone and clay producer Kalcitas and 100% acquisitions of building materials suppliers Cemeka and Lanku Bokstai.

Brazil: Votorantim Cimentos has begun distributing its products from its new Rio de Janeiro distribution centre. The producer says that the facility has a capacity of 1000t/day of products, up by 52% from 658t/day at its previous Rio de Janeiro distribution centre. It will serve Grande Rio and Serrana, optimising the company’s logistics in the Southeast region.

Southeast regional logistics manager Luis Dovichi Mendes said, "With the heating up of civil construction and the residential renovation market, we invested in this new distribution centre to improve the urban distribution service in the state of Rio de Janeiro, offering a better logistics and service structure for our customers in the region.”

India: The Maharashtra parliament has formed a four-member committee to review the possible wildlife impacts of Birla Corporation subsidiary Reliance Cement’s planned Yavatmal cement plant in Mukutban, Maharashtra. The Times of India has reported that the plant received Stage II environmental clearance in 2018. In 2019, dry forest due for clearance under the plant plans was found to constitute part of a tiger corridor. As a result, Reliance Cement must apply to the Maharashtra State Board for Wildlife. The parliamentary committee will visit the site and prepare a report for the board.

Greece: Heracles Group, part of Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim, has obtained environmental product declarations (EPDs) for all cements produced at its Volos and Milaki cement plants. The company says that the declarations cover both bagged and bulk products.

Chief executive officer Dimitris Chanis said, “For 110 years, at Heracles Group we have learned to always push the limits of the seemingly possible, pioneer and constantly move forward. Driven by our unwavering priority of sustainable development and our vision regarding the green transformation of the construction sector, we strategically design and develop policies and initiatives that promote a climate neutral and circular economy. EPDs are expected to play a key part in our group's effort to move towards more sustainable construction for a greener and better world for all.”