India: Birla Corporation’s consolidated revenue fell by 1.6% year-on-year to US$936m in its 2021 financial year that ended on 31 March 2021 from US$951m in its 2020 financial year. Its cement sales volumes decreased by 1.8% to 13.4Mt from 13.6Mt. However, its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 1.2% to US$195m from US$193m. It blamed falling sales on the coronavarus pandemic but it said it was able to increase earnings and profits by ‘aggressively’ rationalising costs.

"In the light of the massive disruptions faced at the beginning of the financial year, the 2021 financial year wasn't disappointing from the standpoint of profitability. Our performance reflected the resilience we have built over the years to external shocks. We also benefited from the stimulus provided by the government. But in the wake of the second wave of the pandemic, the year ahead looks more challenging. To my mind, India's ability to contain the pandemic through rapid inoculation and other means holds the key to economic revival," said Harsh Vardhan Lodha, chairman of Birla Corporation.

The cement producer also said that work on its new 3.9Mt/yr integrated cement plant in Mukutban, Maharashtra had been delayed due to a shortage of workers related to the ongoing health crisis. The plant is currently scheduled for commissioning by the end of the 2021 calendar year.

UK: Tarmac has renewed its partnership with the Peak District National Park until 2026. Under the partnership, the company organises volunteering and funds an engagement conservation job role at the national park in Derbyshire. Since 2016, volunteers from Tarmac’s Tunstead quarry have built dry stone walls, restored a footbridge and helped to manage ancient hay meadows. In several areas of the park, volunteers have also replaced benches.

Tunstead quarry stone and powders director Pete Butterworth said that he was ‘delighted’ about the renewal. He added, “By sponsoring the engagement role, we also enable many people to get involved in practical projects which make a significant contribution to the maintenance and improvement of this beautiful area.”

Jamaica: Caribbean Cement has announced plans to invest US$11.5m in total in capacity-expanding upgrades and modernisation of its cement production over the next three years to 2024. The Jamaica Information Service has reported that the company reached its current installed cement production capacity of 1.3Mt/yr after US$82.4m-worth of investments between 2016 and 2020. The subsidiary of Mexico-based Cemex operates an integrated cement plant at Rockford in Kingstown.

Burkina Faso: Germany-based Gebr Pfeiffer is supplying a MVR 6000 C-6 type vertical roller mill for Cim Metal Group’s upgrade to its Cimasso cement grinding plant in Bobo Dioulasso. The mill, with an installed gear power of 6800kW, will be used on the plant’s second production line. The vertical mill can be used for different cement types between 4000cm²/g and 5000cm²/g according to Blaine and produces more than 400t/hr with its six active grinding rollers. The mill will be equipped with a SLS VC type classifier. The order also includes the delivery of a replacement gearbox. The upgrade project is being managed by Germany-based Intercem Engineering with Gebr Pfeiffer supplying the mill and the process design. The supplier says that this will be the first MVR mill to be installed in the country.