China: Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim has announced the formation of green building solutions partnership with Southeast University (SEU) in Nanjing for research into concretes and mortars for use in 3D printing in construction. The company says that the partnership is a step towards achieving its aim of becoming a “full 3D printing solutions provider.”

Head of research and development Edelio Bermejosaid, “Our global network of academic partners is critical in helping us think outside the box. We need the brightest minds to help us lead the next frontier of building solutions.”

Greece: Titan Cement recorded earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of Euro229m in the first nine months of 2020, up by 10% year-on-year from Euro208m in the first nine months of 2019. Its sales fell slightly to Euro1.20bn from Euro1.21bn. The group noted “resilient sales volumes across most of our markets, ” including “strong domestic and export growth in Turkey and improving demand in Brazil.”

Dimitri Papalexopoulos, chair of the group executive committee said, “We are successfully addressing several challenges at the same time: taking care of our people and those around us, delivering improved operating results and accelerating progress against our sustainability ambitions. Despite the uncertain context, we remain confident in the solidity of our business model, based on the nature of construction activity, our track record in facing the pandemic and the resilience and dedication of our people.’’

Italy: Caltagirone Group company Cementir Holding sold 7.7Mt of grey cement, white cement and clinker in the first nine months of 2020, up by 11% year-on-year from 6.9Mt in the first nine months of 2019. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) declined by 2% over the period, to Euro178m from Euro182m, while sales also declined, by 1% to Euro897m from Euro906m.

One notable region where the trend was reversed was Egypt, where, in spite of a 2.5% fall in cement and clinker volumes, EBITDA rose by 40% to Euro6.81m from Euro4.86m and sales rose by 16% to Euro31.3m from Euro27.1m. EBITDA also rose in the Nordic and Baltic, Turkey, China and Asia-Pacific regions.

Chief executive officer (CEO) and chair Francesco Caltagirone said, “Results significantly improved in the third quarter, with cement up by 19% and EBITDA up by 12% compared to the third quarter of 2019.”

Colombia: Grupo Argos subsidiary Cementos Argos has reported a 13% year-on-year fall in cement sales volumes to 10.7Mt in the first nine months of 2020 from 12.3Mt in the first nine months of 2019. As a result, revenues fell by 5% to US$1.85bn from US$1.94bn, “partially netted by the price improvements in Colombia and in the US, together with the Colombian peso devaluation.” Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell by 3% to US$342m from US$353m. The company said that, “Volumes were affected by the hurricanes and intense rains in the US, together with the gradual recovery of the Colombian operations that still remain affected by the lockdowns.”

Chief executive officer (CEO) Juan Esteban Calle said, “We are proud of our company and our more than 7500 employees for their commitment and resilience navigating all the challenges generated by the Covid-19 crisis. We have been able to continue operating in a bio-safe way while significantly mitigating the impact of extended shutdowns in most of our operations and at the same time we have been taking advantage of all the opportunities that are arising from the improving market dynamics, contributing to the recovery of the economies and employment in most of our markets.”