Rwanda: Milbridge Group subsidiary Prime Cement has said that its upcoming 0.6Mt/yr Prime Cement grinding plant in Musanze, Northern Province will enter production in August 2020. KT Press News has reported that the US$66.6m plant will create 600 jobs. Plant manager Eric Rutabana said, “We hope that with our coming to the market, the cement prices will be reviewed downward. Sincerely speaking, the existing price is beyond purchasing power on the local market.”

Brazil: Norway-based Norsk Hydro and the Federal University of Para (UFPA) have announced their collaboration on the development of a low-carbon cement from bauxite residue from Norsk Hydro subsidiary Alunorte’s bauxite mining and alumina refining operations in the state of Pará. Electronic News has reported that the research partnership hopes to develop a new cement for commercial production and sale by 2030. This will use an estimated 500,000t/yr of waste bauxite residue.

Norsk Hydro bauxite and alumina research and development senior manager Erik Araujo said, “Hydro seeks to be a benchmark in sustainability in the aluminium industry. The research is an opportunity to promote intersectional advances in our environmental management, with a reduction in carbon emissions for the cement industry.

UK: Mexico-based Cemex has confirmed its decision to mothball the 0.8Mt/yr integrated South Ferriby, Lincolnshire cement plant following a consultation period with employee and union representatives. The company estimates that the majority of redundancies of the plant’s 110 staff will happen in July 2020.

It said, “Cemex customers will be supplied from the company’s existing cement network. Cemex’s supply chain plan and commercial management will ensure that customer service will be maintained at all times. Cemex remains committed to the UK and will continue to have a strong national presence.”

Germany: HeidelbergCement has reported the successful resurfacing of a section of Federal Motorway 5 (BAB 5) between Karlsruhe and Frankfurt using a concrete made from low-alkali cement produced at its 1.4Mt/yr-capacity Schelklingen, Baden-Württemberg integrated cement plant. The company used over 3600t of cement to produce the 12,000m³ of concrete required for the 3.2km stretch of road. Traffic infrastructure product manager Klaus Felsch said, “The cement’s low alkali content significantly reduces the risk of an alkali-silica reaction and maximizes the durability of the concrete.”