Libya: Ahmed Abuhisa, the Minister of Industry and Minerals, has met with a delegation of officials from Chinese companies working in the mining and cement industry. The Chinese delegates reportedly expressed their desire to build cement plants in several regions within the country, according to the Libya Herald newspaper. General investment work was also discussed. The minister has referred the companies to the National Mining Corporation to determine investment priorities and follow up on the meeting.
Punjab government instructs cement producers to commence plant building within six months of No Objection Certification
Pakistan: The state government of Punjab has instructed cement producers that they risk losing their No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for planned cement plants if they fail to begin building the plants within six months of receiving the certification. The News International newspaper has reported that for the latest raft of cement plant plans given NOCs, this period will elapse in March 2022. The government has asked the producers to submit timelines for the execution of the projects by 28 September 2021.
Lehigh Hanson launches new bag design for EcoCemPLC product
US: Lehigh Hanson has launched a new bag design for its EcoCemPLC product, a Portland Limestone Cement. Features of the refreshed packaging design for EcoCemPLC include the ‘reduced carbon footprint’ icon, featured prominently in the new bag design to emphasise EcoCemPLC’s carbon-reduction benefit. The newly designed bag will be released to retail and dealers in October 2021.
“The new bag design and transition to EcoCemPLC is about more than aesthetics - it’s about clearly communicating the proven benefits of EcoCemPLC to sustainably minded customers,” said Alex Car, president of Lehigh Hanson’s Northeast Region.
Water recirculation initiative reuses 88 - 100% of cooling water in cement grinding in Panama in 2020
Panama: Panamanian cement producers reused cooling water used in cement grinding at a rate of 88 – 100% nationally in 2020. The development is part of a concerted water conservation effort first launched by Argos Panamá. The La Estrella newspaper has reported that Cementos Panamá’s Quebrancha grinding plant reduced its water consumption by 88% in five years, to 59,600m3 from 477,000m3 in 2015. The plant’s cement now has a water consumption of 100l/t, compared to 537l/t in 2015.
