Peru: Unacem Perú plans to 'significantly increase' its cement production capacity 'in the medium-term future.' Prior to that, the producer will invest US$130m in capital expenditure during 2023, double what it invested in 2022. The investments will go towards slightly expanding the producer's capacity from 8.3Mt/yr and increasing alternative raw materials use in its cement production, including pozzolan and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS). Additionally, it will open its new Manchay limestone quarry in Pachacámac in early 2023.

Unacem said that it increased its cement sales 'unexpectedly' during 2022. It operated at 85 - 90% capacity utilisation, and continued to export clinker.

Germany: The former HeidelbergCement Trading has announced its rebranding as Heidelberg Materials Trading. The trading and shipping arm of Heidelberg Materials said that the new name better reflects its products and services offering.

Senegal: Germany-based Gebr. Pfeiffer has received an order for an MVR 5000 R-4 vertical roller mill from Morocco-based Ciments de l'Afrique (CIMAF). CIMAF plans to install the mill at its Keur Moussa cement plant in Senegal. The mill has a capacity of 470t/hr, and will be equipped with an SLS 4000 VR classifier.

CIMAF hopes to reduce Senegal's reliance on imported cement from the time of the mill's commissioning, scheduled for early 2024.

Uruguay: Cementos Artigas has successfully commissioned its upgraded Minas integrated cement plant. The new plant consolidates the operations of the former 350,000t/yr Minas clinker plant and the 500,000t/yr Sayago grinding plant. Crónica Global News has reported that the project consisted of the construction of a new vertical roller mill and storage facilities at the Minas site. The work lasted 18 months and cost US$40m.

Cementos Artigas says that the Minas integrated cement plant will increase the efficiency and reduce the electricity and transport costs of its operations.