Angola: Portugal-based IPIAC has won a contract to upgrade the Cimangola plant in Luanda region to use Limestone Calcined Clay (LC3). The project will be the first in the world to convert an existing clinker production line into a clay calciner. Switzerland-based Ecosolutions conducted a study of raw materials and sustainability issues prior to the signing of the contract. The project will be coordinated and supervised by Portugal-based Techbelt. Once completed the plant will produce 0.3Mt/yr of calcined clay, which can be used to manufacture up to 1Mt/yr of LC3 cement.
Buzzi Unicem obtains certification for composite cement products in Italy
Italy: Buzzi Unicem has obtained technical evaluation certification for CEM II/C-M Portland composite cement products to be manufactured at its Trino, Vernasca, Settimello, Guidonia, Barletta and Augusta plants. The new cements will be part of its C-Green product line and the sustainability objectives from its 2030 roadmap. The new products will reduce their clinker factor by using granulated blast furnace slag, fly ash, pozzolan and limestone. They potentially offer up to a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions per tonne compared to CEM I equivalents. They will be available in 32.5 N/R and 42.5 N/R strength classes for a range of applications. The cement producer hopes that the new products will quickly establish themselves in the market and even becoming the “standard cement” in Italy by 2030.
Holcim Belgium joins Fluxys CO2 transport network
Belgium: Holcim Belgium has joined Fluxys open-access CO2 transport network project. It intends to use the Fluxys network to either transport captured CO2 for sequestration in the North Sea or reuse in other industry after it builds a new 6000t/day production line at its Obourg plant by early 2026. As part of this process Holcim Belgium also plans to build a cryogenic CO2 capture and treatment unit at Obourg by early 2028.
Pascal De Buck, the chief executive officer of Fluxys, said "Holcim's interest in our CO2 network project at the Mons industrial cluster confirms the efforts industries are making to find solutions for decarbonising their activities. We're here to meet that need, which is why we offer them an open-access CO2 network they can use to transport their captured CO2 to storage or reuse sites. This kind of network helps achieve climate objectives and contributes to the long-term viability of the economy."
The proposed Fluxys CO2 transport network will see the construction and creation in Belgium of pipelines, intermodal hubs, port terminals and shipping from 2025 onwards. The proposed infrastructure is intended to transport three gases: CO2, hydrogen and methane.
Eurocement to upgrade mill at Lipetskcement
Russia: Eurocement is investing over Euro3m towards upgrading a mill at its integrated Lipetskcement plant. The main work will add a separator to the mill. The addition will allow the unit to produce finer grades of cement and increase output by 20%. Work on the project started in September 2022 and is expected to be completed in early 2023.


