Global Cement News

Tunisia: Carthage University, Ciments de Bizerte, the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the University of Algarve faculty of science and technology have concluded a study into the heavy metal content of CEM-I and CEM-II cement. The study found that both types of cement contain traces of arsenic, barium, boron, cadmium, chromium, copper, manganese, nickel, lead, strontium and zinc in equal measure, according to the Journal of Engineering.

Carthage University said, "Heavy metals in cement can originate from a variety of processes in production, including their initial presence in raw materials and fuel, incorporation into kiln refractory brick, metal erosion from the raw material grinding process and in additives such as gypsum, as well as cement kiln dust."

Kuwait: HeidelbergCement subsidiary Suez Cement has sold its 51% majority stake in Hilal Cement. Decypha News has reported the new owner of the stake as Silver Share Real Estate. Boodai Group retains 44% of the remainder of shares.

Ghana/Nigeria: LafargeHolcim subsidiary Lafarge Africa plans to sell its 35% subsidiary Continental Blue Investment (CBI) Ghana. CBI Ghana runs the Supacem brand from the Tema Free Zone near Accra. It reportedly started building a cement grinding plant at the site in 2017 for a cost of US$55m.

Brazil: Cimento Tupi has filed for so-called preventative bankruptcy to deal with its US$627m total debts, with the majority attributable to bondholders. The Valor Economico newspaper has reported that the cement producer has suffered due to a downturn in the sector since 2014 and currency depreciation.

The producer has an installed capacity of 2.5Mt/yr consisting of one integrated plant at Pedra do Sino in Minas Gerais and a grinding plant in Modi das Cruzes in São Paulo. In 2011 it began modernisation of its cement operations, for which it withdrew bank loans. Lenders launched legal action in April 2019 after the company defaulted on around US$30m of repayments to foreign investors.

India: UltraTech Cement has awarded Germany-based KHD Humboldt Wedag a contract relating to three new kiln lines, one new raw meal grinding plant with two KHD roller presses, and the upgrade of five existing clinker grinding plants with KHD roller presses. KHD said that the engineering and supply of equipment as well as supervisory services related to erection and commissioning, comprised a potential order volume of more than Euro30m. It added that UltraTech Cement and Humboldt Wedag India are currently negotiating with the aim of concluding a corresponding Engineering and Procurement (EP) contract package.