China: Tangshan Jidong Cement net loss fell by 82% year-on-year to US$7.93m in the first quarter of 2021, down by 82% year-on-year from US$43.3m in the first quarter of 2020. Its operating income rose by 64% to US$785m from US$478m.

Germany: Holcim Deutschland, part of Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim, has launched its new ECOPlanet Zero carbon neutral cement. The producer says that it will offset the product’s CO₂ emissions through a peatland rewetting service provided by MoorFutures. The cement also has a low clinker factor due to the use of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS)-enriched binders.

Cement and binders sales director Matthias von der Brelje said “Holcim has been reducing the specific CO₂ emissions of binders very effectively for decades by using high-quality GGBFS.” He added, “In the future, we want to work with planners, contracting agencies and users to further advance the use of our CO₂-reduced binders. This helps our customers to realise their vision of sustainable building even better. In terms of product technology, the ECOPlanet series also has outstanding - and in some cases even better - properties than Portland cements, for example good workability, light colour, favourable heat development and high fatigue strength.”

Norway: Norcem, part of Germany-based HeidelbergCement, has awarded a contract to Denmark-based FLSmidth to provide modifications to allow for downstream CO₂ removal at its integrated Brevik cement plant. The supplier will begin work in the unit’s winter 2022 shutdown. Its upcoming carbon capture and storage (CCS) installation is scheduled for commissioning in September 2024.

Norcem project manager Tor Gautestad said, “We are very excited to have FLSmidth on board and to finally begin the construction of the full-size installation.” He added, “FLSmidth’s extensive process knowledge, and air pollution control in particular, will be critical to the success of the project.”

Mexico: Holcim Mexico, part of Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim, has launched the new EcoEtiquetas label. The label designates products conforming to a set of ecological criteria set by the company. These include a certain level of recycled content or a reduced carbon footprint, as specified by the label on each product. The label is now found on Holcim Apasco, Maestro and Supra Cemento cement bags. These products say they offer CO₂ reductions from 30 – 60% compared to Ordinary Portland Cement.

Chief executive officer Jaime Hill Tinoco said, “This is one more step on our way to becoming a Net Zero Company, but also when our clients buy our cements with EcoEtiquetas, they will have the certainty that they are collaborating in the care of the environment by using or distributing products that have been thought not only in terms of quality and performance, but also in ensuring a better world for present and future generations.”