Europe: A forthcoming report by consultancy CemBR has forecast that the European cement industry could potentially face carbon related costs of over Euro1.5bn in 2022 if production continues at 2020 levels or earlier. It looks at the performance of the European cement sector and the impact of the Phase IV of the European Union (EU) Emissions Trading Scheme ( ETS), which started in January 2021. Other key findings include that the sector reduced its carbon emissions per tonne of clinker by a 0.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to the end of Phase III of the scheme.

The commercial market report has analysed the performance of each individual clinker producing plant in the scheme (including the UK) and has compared the end of Phase III with the beginning of Phase IV. It has also detailed the level of free allowances for part one of Phase IV and undertaken several analytical scenarios. Part one, running from 2021 to 2025, of Phase IV allowances for the whole scheme are around 16% lower than the 2020 level. Allowances have remained unchanged for this period but further ‘significant’ reductions are expected for part two of Phase IV. CemBR also reports that not all member countries are in the same position with regard to Phase IV with some countries exposed to more risk. In addition, there is a wide range of vulnerability with regards to carbon among the 201 operational clinker producing plants even within the same market.

The ‘EU ETS & Cement - Enter the Phase IV’ report is due to be published in February 2022.

Austria: W&P cement has launched digital tours of its Peggau, Styria, and Weitersdorf, Carinthia, cement plants using 3D photo technology. Virtual guests can access areas which are closed off during conventional tours, while integrated information points provide them with detailed knowledge. W&P Zement also offers a digital tour of one of its ready-mixed concrete plants in Gratkorn, Styria.

Sales Director Peter Ramskogler said “It was important to us to make our production facilities accessible to everyone. Especially in times of a pandemic, the virtual factory brings even more advantages. In this way, we can at least continue to offer digital tours for schools and universities - regardless of current safety regulations."

The tours may be accessed here.

Switzerland: Holcim has successfully issued two sustainability-linked bonds worth US$355m and US$109m in the Swiss market. The group says that the issuances are another way in which it keeps climate action at the heart of its financing strategy. It brings the total sum raised by Holcim through sustainable financing agreements to US$7.33bn. Investors will be entitled to a higher coupon if the company does not achieve its climate objective.

Chief finance officer (CFO) Géraldine Picaud said “We are proud to be the first company to launch a sustainability-linked bond on the Swiss franc market. The bond attracted new environmental and social governance investors, demonstrating their confidence in Holcim’s financial strength, strategy and ability to deliver our sustainability targets.”

Guyana: The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has confiscated a US$68,300 illegal cannabis shipment from a Panamanian cement carrier ship that was scheduled to depart Port Georgetown on 21 January 2022. CANU says that the value of the substance would have been significantly higher at its destination. It has detained the ship’s captain, engineer and senior officers.