Global Cement News

India: Chettinad Cement has ordered a MVR 5600 R-6 type mill for raw meal grinding and a MVR 5300 C-6 type mill for grinding composite cements from Germany-based Gebr. Pfeiffer for a new production line at its integrated Kallur plant in Karnataka. The supplier says that the MVR 5600 R-6 type mill is the first of its kind provided with six rollers. The order was placed in April 2022 and the contract has since been activated with the receipt of down-payment and a letter of credit.

The core components of the MVR mills as well as the 5810 kW gearbox will be supplied by Gebr. Pfeiffer SE from Europe. Foundation parts, housings and other components will be manufactured in India and delivered to the customer under responsibility of its subsidiary Gebr. Pfeiffer (India). The office of Gebr. Pfeiffer (India) in Noida, near New Delhi, will also support the end customer in plant design, procure most of the grinding plant machinery such as filters, fans, hot gas generators, the fly ash handling and conveying aggregates, and will be on site with personnel for quality control of the customer's site fabrication as well as supervision of erection and commissioning.

Egypt: Lafarge Egypt has signed a US$93m solar energy deal with Lumika Renewables Egypt, a subsidiary of AP Moller Egypt, to produce 140GWh/yr. The agreement is scheduled to become effective by the first quarter of 2024, according to Mist News. Under the terms of the deal the two companies will build a new 50MW solar power plant. This will be the first such plant operated by Lumika Renewables Egypt in the country. The subsidiary of Holcim says it aims to secure a renewable energy supply for 50% of its Ain Al-Sokhna cement plant's total daily energy consumption.

UK: Hanson has signed a memorandum of understanding with Shell to work together to explore opportunities that help the construction industry’s transition to net zero emissions.

Under the agreement the companies plan to explore: using hydrogen for transport and industrial processes; using capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) in cement production; looking at lower carbon fuels and electric vehicles; digital innovations in energy production, consumption and efficiency; improving bitumen and asphalt technology; and renewable energy sources such as solar installations and batteries to replace diesel generators. In addition, the companies say they will consider the possibility of collaborating in future business opportunities or new business models, which will create value and scope for further decarbonisation.

Hanson’s chief executive officer Simon Willis said, “We are already working together on several initiatives to decarbonise asphalt with bitumen materials and innovations which promote long life, increased use of recycled materials, low carbon products and the circular economy.” He added that “Hanson and Shell have a long-established working relationship and are committed to sharing knowledge and resources to jointly work on projects that will facilitate our transition to net zero emissions.”

Namibia: The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation has shut down production at the Whale Rock Cement plant near Otjiwarongo due to non-compliance with labour laws on the health and safety of employees. A notice was delivered instructing the factory to close its grinding station, packing machine, cement warehouse and cement workshop, according to the Namibia Press Agency. The plant has been ordered to remain closed until all hazardous areas have been made safe. This is expected to take a week. Affected employees are entitled to full remuneration during this period.

The decision to close the plant followed labour inspections in April and May 2022. During the inspections one employee reportedly lost a finger at the pallet stacking area and another sustained finger injuries when he was unblocking the dust collector. Workers said that they work in a dusty environment with no dust masks. They also alleged that a Chinese supervisor brings a gun to work to intimidate them.

The cement company is a Chinese joint-venture and it also trades under the Cheetah Cement brand name. Around 210 Namibians and 44 Chinese nationals work for the company. In April 2022 eight workers at the plant were deported to China for working without adequate work permits.

Ethiopia: The Ministry of Industry has asked cement plants to sell their products directly and excluded distributors from the market. In a letter sent to 10 cement companies the ministry asked the plants to tell it the names of the agents that had blocked, according to the Ethiopian Reporter newspaper. The government is attempting to minimise the distribution chain for cement and reduce its end price. It also plans to take measures against cement pants that continue to use agents. The ministry has been asking cement plants to provide information about their production and distribution lines over the past nine months to support its market monitoring.