Global Cement News

Switzerland: Holcim has announced its support of Beton, the first Swiss exhibition dedicated to the history of concrete, at the Swiss Architecture Museum in Basel. The exhibition will run until 24 April 2022 and feature talks by an industry expert on the future of concrete.

Holcim chief executive officer Jan Jenisch said “I congratulate our partners at the Swiss Architecture Museum for creating this first-of-its-kind exhibition showcasing the essential role of concrete in our world. This exploration is a great inspiration for all of us at Holcim as we shape the future of concrete, making it green, circular and technology-driven. Throughout its history, concrete has been part of building progress in our world. Today we are reinventing it to make it work for people and the planet.”

Switzerland: Holcim has launched its Strategy 2025 – Accelerating Green Growth plan to become a global innovative and sustainable building solutions leader. Under the plan, the group will expand its solutions and products sales to account for 30% of consolidated sales by 2025. During the three-year period, it aims to deliver continuous group sales growth of 3 – 5% and over-proportional recurring earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBIT) growth on a like-for-like basis. It is also targeting a 10% return on invested capital (ROIC), cash conversion of 45% and leverage below 1.5x.

As part of the new strategy, the group will aim to recycle 75Mt of materials, including 10Mt of construction waste, in its products in 2022 – 2024. It aims to invest Euro476m in green capital expenditure (CAPEX) and link 40% of its financing agreements to its sustainable performance.

Chief executive officer Jan Jenisch said “We delivered what we promised with our Strategy 2022 one year in advance, setting strong foundations for our next era of growth. With our new level of performance, we have the firepower to invest in solutions and products to make it 30% of our company, while leading the way in green building solutions from ECOPact green concrete to energy-efficient roofing.” He added “With our Accelerating Green Growth strategy, we are ready to seize the opportunities ahead on our way to becoming the global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions.”

Canada: St Mary’s Cement plans to apply for a licence to substitute alternative fuel (AF) for a part of its coal, gas and petcoke fuel mix. The plant previously held a two-week AF substitution trial in May 2011. CBC News has reported that the subsidiary of Votorantim Cimentos will present its plan at an evening meeting for the general public on 18 November 2021. The company says that it plans to implement similar AF arrangements to those at its Bowmanville plant, where it uses 90,000t/yr of biomass, wood from construction and demolition and non-recyclable paper and plastics.

Environmental manager Ruben Plaza said "Lower CO₂ emissions is the first consideration and, equally as important, the material has to be approved and available in sufficient quantities with a reliable and sustainable long-term supply."

Colombia: Cementos Argos says that it uses simulation software for logistics at six of its port operations. The company explained that simulation helps to avoid delays in the rotation of resources and to optimise ships’ capacity.

International commercial advisor Alfonso Andrés Ibarra said “The simulator facilitates the decision-making process when delivering our material, since it allows us to evaluate different scenarios in advance to define the best alternative for loading the shipments. This way, time and costs are reduced, and our supply chain is optimised.”

Spain: Spain’s 10-month cement consumption was 12.5Mt in 2021, up by 12% year-on-year from 10-month 2020 levels. Interempresas News has reported that consumption grew by 10% year-on-year in October 2021 to 1.3Mt from 1.18Mt. During the month, exports fell by 14% year-on-year to 581,000t from 485,000t.