Switzerland: LafargeHolcim has committed to accelerate the impact across its United Nation (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) activities, and disclose its progress.

Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) Magali Anderson said, “As we celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement, it is more important now than ever for companies and governments to unite around climate action and the SDGs. That’s why we set ourselves the most ambitious 2030 climate targets in our industry, joining the Business Ambition for 1.5°C. Decarbonising business is vital, but it’s not enough. We are accelerating our overall commitment to the SDGs to build a world that works for people and the planet.”

Uzbekistan: Suppliers have completed the delivery of equipment from China for cement production at Fergana Yasin Qurilish Mollari’s Fergana cement plant. Trend News has reported that the Uzbek-Chinese joint venture will complete the second phase of the plant’s construction in July 2021, at a cost of US$120m. As a result its capacity will rise to 2.0Mt/yr.

India: The Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has claimed responsibility for an improvised explosive device (IED) blast which injured one person and damaged a wall and water pipes at Star Cement’s cement plant in the East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. The Press Trust of India has reported that the attack resulted from the producer’s failure to pay protection money as a non-locally-owned business.

Oman: Raysut Cement received a total of seven awards at the Oman Best Employer Brand Awards 2020 and the Gulf Cooperation Council Best Employer Brand Awards 2020. Group chief executive officer (CEO) Joey Ghose won CEO of the Year at both the Oman and GCC awards. In the former, the company also won Best Use of Technology in the Workplace, Promoting Health in the Workplace and Training Provider of the Year. At the regional awards it won the Talent Management and Leaders of Tomorrow awards.

Acting deputy CEO Salim bin Ahmed bin Alawi Al Ibrahim said, “We operate beyond Oman - in the UAE through our subsidiary Pioneer Cement Company, in Yemen through associates and in East Africa through trading offices as well as new investments. We have also invested in Georgia and have recently acquired a terminal in the Maldives too. We will be expanding further and will be present in different parts of the world supporting infrastructure development in various geographies with Omani clinker and cement. Last year RCC acquired Sohar Cement Company and we believe that our success lies in our highly motivated, skilled and trained employees who deliver the best quality we are known for.”