Tunisia: Les Ciments de Bizerte recorded a full-year consolidated turnover of US$40.1m in 2022, corresponding to a drop of 5.4% year-on-year from 2021 levels. The producer's clinker production fell by 24% year-on-year to 538,000t. African Manager News has reported that the company faced a forced stoppage during the year due to a disruption to its raw materials supply. Meanwhile, its costs increased amid rises in the price of petcoke, electricity, diesel and packaging materials.
China Resources Cement inaugurates innovation centre
China: China Resources Cement (CRC) has inaugurated its Cement International Innovation Centre. The producer says that the centre will contribute to the sustainable growth of its operations across three platforms, namely: cutting-edge research and development, international technologies exchange and international talent introductions.
CRC chair Ji Youhong said that the start of operations at the Cement International Innovation Centre constituted a 'major achievement' under the government's 14th Five Year Plan.
Cembureau welcomes EU Green Deal
Europe: The European cement association, Cembureau, has 'welcomed the objectives' of the European Commission's new Green Deal industrial plan. The Green Deal attempts to create a predictable and simplified regulatory environment in which to scale up the production and implementation of net-zero CO2 technologies.
Cembureau also issued its advise for a successful Green Deal implementation. The association said that the framework must match the US Inflation Reduction Act in its provision of tax rebates and other incentives. It said that the plan must establish stable renewable energy prices and rapid permit procedures, with a focus on deployment of renewables at industrial sites. It also called for funding under the plan to finance the development of infrastructure for CO2 transport and storage.
Hallett Group's Port Adelaide cement terminal storage dome deflates days after construction
Australia: Hallett Group said that a 42m-high storage dome at its upcoming Port Adelaide cement terminal deflated amid on-going construction work at the site on 2 February 2023. ABC News has reported that Hallett Group plans to rebuild the structure at the facility in South Australia. It said that the supplier of the dome's outer skin has sent representatives from Canada to supervise in the reconstruction.
When commissioned, the Port Adelaide cement terminal will distribute cement from Hallett Group's Port Augusta slag cement grinding plant in the north of the state.
