Global Cement News

Belgium: Australia’s Calix says the Low Emissions Intensity Lime And Cement (LEILAC) consortium has successfully demonstrated CO₂ separation with more than 95% purity at its pilot unit at HeidelbergCement’s cement plant in Lixhe. Technology provider Calix said that preliminary test runs have been completed on the pilot. The technology concept has been shown to work on both lime and cement meal, with calcination near to target levels and high purity CO₂ successfully separated at the top of the reactor although not yet at full design capacity.

It added that it was still working on fixing commissioning issues. Testing will run until the end of 2020 to assess the risk of potential longer-term issues such as tube health and process robustness. In parallel, planning has commenced on the next scale-up of the technology, including conceptual design and engaging funding consortia.

Panama: Ramón Martínez, the Minister of Trade and Industry, has signed two resolutions intended to improve the requirements and standards of cement quality both domestically and for imports. DGNTI-COPANIT 5-2019 sets out the chemical, physical and performance requirements of general and specialised cements, as well as the packaging, transportation, storage and use requirements, according to La Estrella newspaper. DGNTI-COPANIT-90-2019 specifies the procedure for verifying and monitoring the quality of hydraulic cements produced, imported and marketed in the country.

Spain: FYM-HeidelbergCement has launches a new clinker conveyor at the Port of Malaga. The new Euro2.5m project started by loading 4800t of clinker onto a ship bound for Ireland. The conveyor will continue to be tested in August 2019 with 30,000DWT and 40,000DWT vessels. The enclosed conveyor has a load capacity of 650t/hr. the project also included setting up two storage areas in the Pescadería area of the city.

Taiwan: Asia Cement has appealed a ruling by the High Administrative Court in Taipei to revoke an extension of its mining rights at a quarry in Xincheng Township. Its right to operate the quarry was blocked in early July 2019 despite a 20-year extension granted in 2017, according to the Taipei Times newspaper. The cement producer also said it had received signatures from local residents will support continued mining at the site. The quarry supports an integrated plant at Huanlien.

UAE: Germany’s Schmersal Group has set up a new subsidiary ‘Schmersal Middle East-FZE’ to focus on business in the Middle East. The new company has opened an office in Dubai to support its development in the region. Uwe Seeger, Director of Asia Pacific Middle East at Schmersal Group said that he expected ‘great potential’ from the area.

Schmersal Group builds switchgears for the protection of machines and plants in industrial automation and lift industry. It is represented with its own corporations and distribution partners in over 60 countries.