Pakistan: Lucky Cement has won an award for use of modern technology to control fire accidents and save lives at the Fire and Safety Awards 2020, organised by the National Forum of Environment and Health. The Frontier Post newspaper has reported that the company is an ISO-9001, ISO-45001 and ISO-14001 certified health and safety leader. The cement producer’s chief operating officer (COO) Amin Ganny said, “At Lucky Cement, we ensure a safe and secure environment for all of our employees and stakeholders associated with our business operations directly or indirectly.”

Senegal: Ciments du Sahel has begun work to increase the cement production capacity of its Kirene cement plant to 6Mt/yr. Agence de Presse Sénégalaise has reported that the installation of a third line at the company’s 3.0Mt/yr plant will double the unit’s capacity when opened before the end of 2023.

Chief executive officer (CEO) Latfallah Layousse said, "We are now at a production capacity of 3Mt/yr of cement. Currently, we are starting our third line with a doubling of our production capacity in the next three years. The doubling of our production capacity will allow us, in the long term, to rise to a higher level and become one of the largest cement factories in the region."

Colombia: Mexico-based Cemex has increased its stake in subsidiary Cemex Latam Holdings to 93% from 73%. Citigroup Global Markets acted as advisor and Corredores Davivienda acted as intermediary broker for the offer.

The group said, “Through the offer, Cemex is simplifying and strengthening its overall capital structure by further consolidating its indirect interest in CLH.

Malawi: LafargeHolcim and UK-based development financier CDC Group have printed two buildings in Lilongwe. The partnership, called 14 Trees, built a demo building and a school over a period of two days. It used 3D printing specialist COBOD’s BOD2 3D printer. The supplier also provided training to construction workers on how to operate the equipment.

LafargeHolcim Middle East Africa regional head Miljan Gutovic said, “I am very excited about the work of our joint venture 14Trees, innovating in 3D printing technology to accelerate affordable and sustainable building, from homes to schools. This is a great example of our commitment to build for people and the planet. Starting in Malawi, we will deploy this technology across the broader region with projects already in the pipeline in Kenya and Zimbabwe.”