Sweden: Yara is simplifying its operating model to three segments from the start of 2019. The change follows its decision to focus its strategy on the crop nutrition market.

Its Sales & Marketing segment will comprise all of Yara's existing Crop Nutrition business units. Former industry segment divisions Base Chemicals, Industry Reagents and Animal Nutrition (excluding South Africa) will also be transferred to it. Its New Business segment will include businesses to establish commercial innovation within decarbonisation and the circular economy, a business for autonomous logistics operations including the Yara Birkeland autonomous electric ship project and a portfolio of businesses to cover Environmental Solutions, Mining Applications, Animal Nutrition South Africa and Industrial Nitrates.

"Earlier this year, we set out our strategy as the crop nutrition company for the future, and we are now adapting and simplifying our operating model accordingly. Following a period of substantial investments, our main focus going forward will be on operational excellence, innovation and growing scalable crop nutrition solutions," said Svein Tore Holsether, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Yara International.

Yara's offerings to the cement industry include NO_x emissions control products.

India: The board of ACC has approved plans to build a new cement plant at Ametha, District Katnl in Madhya Pradesh. The unit will have a clinker production capacity of 3Mt/yr and a cement production capacity of 1Mt/yr. The subsidiary of Switzerland’s LafargeHolcim plans to expand a 1.6Mt/yr grinding plant at Tikaria, Uttar Pradesh and a 2.2Mt/yr grinding plant also in Uttar Pradesh. The board also agreed to build a 1.1Mt/yr grinding plant at an existing unit at Sindri in Jharkhand. The projects are expected to cost around US$417m.

UK: The British Lime Association (BLA) has published its 2018 Sustainable Development Report. The UK lime sector has responded to improved conditions in the domestic market, and the increased demand from the iron and steel sector in 2017. Exports of lime by BLA Members have increased by 30% since 2006 and made up 26% of sales in 2017. Following the launch of the MPA Charter in 2017, the BLA Sustainable Development Report is now set out to align with the seven MPA strategic priorities.

Kazakhstan: Gezhouba Shieli Cement has launched its 1Mt/yr oil well cement plant in the Kyzylorda region. 260 jobs have been created at the site and 48 of the local staff were trained in China. The project is a joint venture majority owned by Chinese investors with a minority stake from a local cement company. China Triumph International Engineering built the plant.