Global Cement News

Senegal: Cement production rose by 5.6% year-on-year to 1.8Mt in the first quarter of 2018 from 1.7Mt in the same period in 2017. The production rise has been driven by an increase in local sales, according to the African Press Agency. Local sales of cement grew by 50.6% to 1.28Mt from 0.85Mt. However, exports have fallen by 37% to 0.56Mt from 0.90Mt.

France: The Carlyle Group has started talks with HGH Infrared Systems to acquire a majority stake in the specialist provider of infrared technology products. The proposed acquisition will be subject to customary employee consultations and regulatory approvals. The deal is expected to be completed by the end of 2018. No value for the deal has been disclosed.

“This potential partnership with Carlyle is excellent news for our customers. It will also help HGH to move to the next level and to build on our strong international growth trajectory,” said Thierry Campos, chief executive officer of HGH Infrared Systems. He added that Carlyle’s international reach and its experience in aerospace and defence, oil and gas and energy markets would further help to develop the company.

HGH was founded in 1982. It develops and sells optoelectronic and infrared systems and software for surveillance applications, test and measurement and industrial thermography in different end-markets. The company operates two research and development and assembly sites in the Optics Valley near Paris, France and in California, US. The company provides solutions to clients across 40 countries through two recognised brands HGH Infrared Systems and Electro Optical Industries (EOI).

Algeria: Italy’s Cimprogetti says it is making progress on a lime plant it is building with Bedeschi for Algerian Qatari Steel. The project is to build a lime plant supporting a steel plant at Bellara in Jijel. It includes the design and supply of the entire lime plant, from the limestone receiving area to quicklime storage, which is directly connected to the Danieli steel mill. The design of power and control systems has been developed by Cimprogetti, including the supply of all electrical panels, medium and low voltage transformers, the diesel generator set and all cables. Cimprogetti is also working with Idom, a Spanish company, on the design and erection phases of the project.

The lime plant will use two Flex Reversy 9 kilns with a daily production of 420t/day each, and will be operated with natural gas. The mechanical erection is almost complete and the electrical installation has recently started. The erection works are being checked by Cimprogetti site engineers in collaboration with the end user.

US: Panamint Valley Limestone (PVL) plans to build a US$45m lime plant at Trona in California. The site and air emissions credits have been acquired, the conditional use permit process has started, and studies and preliminary engineering have been initiated. Lime production is scheduled to start in early 2021.

The PVL Lime plant will be located on a brownfield site northwest of the existing Searles Valley Minerals and ACE Cogeneration industrial facilities. Limestone will be sourced from the company’s quarry in the Panamint Valley. The unit will produce 400t/day of quick lime and hydrated lime products for use in cement, soil conditioning, water treatment and industrial processes.

PVL says that its new plant will be the only producer of lime in California, where currently all lime used is imported from outside of state. The plant is expected to create 30 to 40 new jobs.

Ethiopia: Deep Kamara, the country manager of Dangote Cement Ethiopia, has been shot dead in an attack by unknown assailants. A driver and a secretary were also killed in the incident, according to the Addis Standard newspaper. The attack took place at Inchini, near to the cement producer’s Mugher plant.

A local government source that spoke to the newspaper said that Kamara had recently visited the plant as part of discussions between the company and local residents. Oromio state suffered riots in 2016 and 2017 with damage incurred to Dangote Cement’s plant on several occasions.