Global Cement News

Mexico: Cemex subsidiary Cemex Ventures has invested in excavation materials marketplace Soil Connect. The online platform says that it connects the supply and demand algorithmically based on the users' proximity and needs. It is mainly used for aggregates. In digitising the marketplace it reduces landfill while lowering transportation distances, according to the investor. It says that this results in tremendous cost savings for construction professionals. This also promotes circular economy within the sector.

Cemex Ventures’ investment head Cristina Aparicio said, "For any relevant actor with a view to the future of our ecosystem, it is a priority to offer a solution to the millions of tonnes of materials that are generated annually in demolition projects, since much of the construction materials of tomorrow come from the projects to be demolished. We are very excited about this agreement with the Soil Connect team, which has created a business that adds value, both to those who generate the waste and to those who need construction material, prioritising this tool that provides agility."

Brazil: The National Cement Industry Association (SNIC) has predicted cement sales in 2020 to rise by 10% year-on-year to 60Mt. Valor International News has reported that president Paulo Camillo Penna said, “If in 2021 we maintain the 60Mt we expect to reach this year, or have some progress beyond this volume, it will be a very satisfactory result considering the high uncertainties ahead."

France: LafargeHolcim subsidiary Lafarge France has installed a new rotary kiln at its Martres-Tolosane cement plant. The installation is part of a Euro120m project to build a new production line at the site. The work will also increase the plant’s alternative fuels (AF) substitution rate to 80% from 30%.

The company said, “Once completed the work will increase the productivity of the cement plant, while reducing its environmental impact. The plant will be equipped with the latest environmental technologies, thus increasing the share of energy recovery from waste and its use in the production of clinker. The work will reduce energy consumption, reduce the carbon dioxide (CO₂) footprint by 25% - 30% per tonne of cement and create local circular economy loops with partners in the greater South-West.” The on-going upgrade to the plant is on schedule for completion in November 2021.

South Africa: PCC recorded sales of US$332m in the first half of its 2021 financial year, up by 1% from US$328m in the first half of its 2020 financial year. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 15% to US$66m from US$58m. Cement volumes fell in South Africa by 5% and in Botswana by 10% due to 35% slump in total volumes in the first quarter. The company said that this was due to muted cement sales in April 2020 and May 2020 as a result of Covid-19-related trading restrictions in South Africa. Cement sales have since recovered with strong year-on-year growth since June 2020. The increase in volumes is primarily retail led. PPC also said that it is beginning to experience the positive impact of increased infrastructure spending.

Chief executive officer (CEO) Roland van Wijnen said, “I am pleased that we are once again able to serve our customers and play our part in keeping the economy going. My gratitude goes to my colleagues who have been working diligently to keep our operations running while observing stringent health and safety protocols. Our business has benefited from a strong recovery in cement sales in all our markets, post the easing of the lockdown restrictions, and this has resulted in improved financial performance for the group. Our efforts to improve cost competitiveness and reposition PPC on a sound financial footing are yielding encouraging results and we are making good progress on our capital restructuring project, which remains a key priority for the group.”

Mexico: Cemex has launched Vertua, a range of low and net-zero CO₂ concrete products, in Mexico. Vertua uses a geopolymer binder solution created by Cemex’s Research and Development Center in Switzerland. It forms “one of the main components of the ambition to deliver net-zero CO₂ concrete for all products and geographies by 2050,” according to the company.

Ricardo Naya, the president of Cemex Mexico, said, “With Vertua, we are taking a decisive step in addressing climate change in Mexico and the world, by offering a line of concretes with up to 70% lower carbon emissions. In Cemex, we embrace the circular economy concept and put it into action by offering our customers solutions like Vertua to keep them at the forefront of sustainability efforts."