Colombia: Cementos Argos is celebrating its inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the eighth consecutive year. The company said that the listing acknowledges its “good practices in economic, environmental and social matters.” Its owner Grupo Argos came second in the materials sector, which accounted for 4.3% of the total index weight, while the company itself came third. The index also highlighted it within the Latin American Integrated Market (MILA)-Pacific Alliance.

The company said, “One of the main advantages of this index is that it is a lever to promote cutting-edge business practices that seek to improve the impact of companies on society and the environment and, increasingly, to strengthen their relationship with different interest groups, whether they are communities, investors, suppliers, employees or authorities, among others.”

Bolivia: A court has annulled a decision ordering Mexico-based Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua (GCC) to pay damages to Compania de Inversiones Mercantiles (CIMSA) for its alleged unlawful failure to grant it a right of preference before selling its 47% stake in Sociedad Boliviana de Cemento (SOBOCE). Global Newswire has reported that the company has announced that it will now take action in the US courts against an unfavourable ruling in October 2020.

Uruguay: Spain-based Cementos Molins and Brazil-based Votorantim Cimentos subsidiary Cementos Artigas plans to invest US$40m in upgrading its integrated Minas clinker plant with the addition of a vertical roller mill and new cement silos in order to consolidate its clinker production and grinding capacity at the site. The El Periodico newspaper has reported that, as a result, the producer will shut its Sayago grinding plant, leading to a net reduction in production costs of 40%.

Work will begin by early 2021 and the company will commission the new integrated production line in 2022. Cementos Molins chief executive officer (CEO) Julio Rodriguez said, “With this new investment we continue to develop our strategy, in which sustainability and respect for the environment are the first priority. At the same time, it is also a clear sign of our long-term commitment to the Uruguayan market where we have been present since 1991.”

Spain: Cementos Portland Valderrivas has made a donation worth Euro3000 of nappies and baby food to the Alcala de Guadaira Social Services Centre. The Association of Children's Resources Ropero del Socorro de la Hermandad de Jesus, Cáritas and the Red Cross will be responsible for distribution.

The company said that it was “aware of the severity of the crisis that Covid-19 is generating, so decided to contact the Alcalá de Guadaíra City Council to make itself available to them and find out in which area the greatest needs were located.” It said, “As a result of this coordination, it was agreed to donate basic children's products, such as food and nappies.”