US: Cemex USA, part of Mexico-based Cemex, has won a contract to supply 90,700t of cement and 153,000m³ of concrete for the latest phase of construction of the Houston Grand Parkway. The cement and concrete will help build the road’s I-1 and I-2 sections. The ring road around Houston is the longest of its kind in the US. Cemex USA will provide a portable central mix plant for the project.

Texas regional president Scott Ducoff said “Cemex USA is proud to be part of an iconic infrastructure project in our headquarters city of Houston, and one that will help ease traffic and improve local travel for commuters.” He added “Completing the Grand Parkway is a significant endeavour and opportunity for us to continue to innovate how we efficiently and effectively deliver our best-in-class materials to meet the demands of inspiring projects such as this one.”

Qatar: Qatar National Cement Company recorded a profit of US$19.3m in the first quarter of 2021. Reuters has reported that the figure represents a 29% year-on-year rise from US$14.9m from the same period in 2019. The cement producer reported a 6% year-on-year fall in revenue to US$182m and a 13% fall in net profit to US$40.8m in 2020.

Germany: Messe Düsseldorf has announced that the next Interpack processing and packaging fair will take place in Düsseldorf on 4 – 10 May 2023. The organiser said that attendees will be able to attend live web sessions alongside the exhibition.

Bolivia: Empresa Publica Productiva Cementos de Bolivia (ECEBOL) has signed a contract for the supply of 337,000m³/yr of natural gas to its Potosí cement plant. The La Razón newspaper has reported that the supplier will be Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB). The cement producer will use a 8km pipeline to connect to the network. The value of the deal is US$4.06m.

General manager Fátima Pacheco said that the pipeline will realise "the dream of the Potosí people of becoming a benchmark for cement and clinker production in the south of the country."