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Cemex France reduces transport emissions from concrete and aggregates by 10% between 2021 and 2023
23 August 2024France: Cemex France reduced the total emissions of CO2 from its concrete and aggregates logistics operations by 10% in the two years between 2021 and 2023. The company achieved this through various initiatives, including equipment upgrades, route optimisation and the substitution of alternative fuels, including hydrogenated vegetable oil in pusher vessels, and biogas where possible. The producer says that the reduction aligns with its FRET21 transport sustainability initiative, as well as its Future in Action 2050 net zero roadmap.
Cemex France is currently preparing to renew or expand its commitment to the FRET21 initiative for another three years.
Sika raises first-half 2024 sales
30 July 2024Switzerland: Chemicals producer Sika reported sales of €6.08bn in the first half of 2024, up by 9% year-on-year. The company’s earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 24% to €920m. During the reporting period, the company successfully integrated Germany-based MBCC. It also acquired US-based Kwik Bond and opened new production facilities in Peru and China. The company confirmed its Strategy 2028 targets for sustainable, profitable growth.
Sika CEO Thomas Hasler said "With our good operating result in the first half of 2024, we have shown that we are in an excellent position to gain market share even in challenging markets. Furthermore, our emissions reduction targets, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050, have been validated by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). This important achievement underscores Sika's commitment to sustainability and its proactive role in decarbonising the construction and automotive industries."
For the full year 2024, Sika forecast 6 – 9% sales growth in local currencies and an over-proportional increase in EBITDA.
Pan-United launches electric concrete mixer truck
19 July 2024Singapore: Pan-United Corporation has introduced a Sany electric-powered concrete mixer truck into its fleet. The truck has a 350kWh battery with a peak power of 360kW and a two-hour charging time. The move will reduce the CO2 emissions per journey by 45%, in line with Pan-United Corporation’s goal of net zero ready-mix concrete production and distribution by 2050.
Pan-United Corporation CEO Ken Loh said "Pan-United is excited to welcome electric vehicles into Singapore’s built environment industry. We hope to eventually operate a substantial fleet of electric concrete mixer trucks for our day-to-day operations. This step marks an exciting new venture in exploring alternative fuel technology and a deepening commitment to accomplish Pan-United’s aim of being a carbon-neutral ready-mix concrete company by 2050."
US: Cemex USA has entered into a joint venture for the production and distribution of aggregates in the Mid-South region with Couch Aggregates and Premier Holdings. Cemex USA has a pre-existing strategic partnership with Couch Aggregates. The group says that the vertical integration of this, along with Premier Holdings’ Gulf Coast marine terminals, will accelerate its regional growth. Cemex aims to raise the total US contribution to its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) from 29% to 40% in the ‘medium-term’ future.
President Jaime Muguiro said "This joint venture will create significant opportunities for both parties by utilising vertical integration and leveraging each other's capabilities for growth. We remain committed to increasing our capacity to serve the US market with more sustainable and innovative solutions."
Cemex USA’s Mid-South region covers 27 ready-mix concrete plants in Alabama, 24 in Georgia, 11 in Tennessee and one in Virginia, and aggregates sites in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.
Pan-United Corporation secures solar energy supply
05 February 2024Malaysia/Singapore: Pan-United Corporation has signed a new contract with renewable power provider Cleantech Solar. With the support of Keppel, Keppel Asia Infrastructure Fund and Shell Singapore, the partners will install 900 solar panels at Pan-United Corporation sites, including its Johor slag grinding plant in Malaysia. The building materials producer is executing the project as part of an existing three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Shell Singapore for the decarbonisation in the built environment. Commissioning of Pan-United Corporation’s new solar power capacity is scheduled later in 2024.
Pan-United Corporation CEO May Ng said “We are delighted that our partnership with Shell has advanced our efforts to adopt renewable energy solutions, which are crucial in reducing our operational carbon emissions. Industry partnerships to leverage collective strengths is a sure way to decarbonisation. Solar deployment in collaboration with Cleantech Solar supports our efforts in contributing to the sustainability goals under the ‘Energy Reset’ pillar of the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and brings us closer to our sustainability target of becoming a carbon-neutral ready-mix concrete company by 2050.”
Neustark announces upcoming rapid expansion in Europe
19 January 2024Switzerland: Carbon capture and storage (CCS) equipment developer and supplier Neustark says it plans to more than double the number of its CO2 storage sites in Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland and the UK to 34 from 14. Neustark’s process turns mineralised captured CO2 and existing mineral waste streams into useful limestone. Building materials producers lease Neustark’s storage sites to produce reduced-CO2 alternatives such as recycled concrete. The sites currently have a total storage capacity of 5000t. Existing customers include Holcim.
Neustark CEO Johannes Tiefenthaler said “Neustark is scaling up rapidly, and we’re well on track to achieve our aim of permanently removing 1Mt of CO₂ by 2030. Our global goal is a series of reliable, region-specific CCS facilities that can be replicated anywhere, offering immediate sustainability benefits to local supply chains.”
Regenera commissions 500,000t/yr Tel Aviv construction, demolition and excavation waste recycling plant
15 September 2023Israel: Cemex’s circular construction subsidiary Regenera has commissioned a construction, demolition and excavation waste recycling plant in Tel Aviv. Cemex said that the plant has the capacity to recycle 500,000t/yr of construction, demolition and excavation waste. Cemex acquired the site following its acquisition of a 51% stake in construction, demolition and excavation waste recycling company SHTANG Recycle, which it integrated into Regenera in early 2023.
Cemex’s Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia regional president Sergio Menéndez said “This new facility in Tel Aviv marks a significant milestone in Cemex's commitment to circularity, which is of such importance to our global ambition of reaching net zero by 2050. We are proud to play a vital role in the growth of our Regenera business, turning building waste into recycled materials for a more sustainable future. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting our Israeli operation and opening the plant, and was inspired by the passion of my local colleagues for innovation and collaboration in pursuit of a better future.”
Finland: Betolar has signed a cooperation agreement with concrete producer Consolis Parma to develop reduced-CO2 hollow concrete slabs. The development process will implement Betolar's Geoprime binder into Consolis Parma's concrete production. Consolis Parma is committed to halving its CO2 emissions between 2021 and 2035.
Consolis Parma's Technology Director Juha Rämö said “The use of alternative new binder combinations and additives that ensure the efficiency of the manufacturing process are key factors in achieving our climate goals. We are actively seeking new channels to address these challenges. The cooperation with Betolar is an important new partnership for us."
Fletcher Building’s concrete division joins GCCA
09 December 2022New Zealand: The Global Cement and Concrete Association has welcomed Fletcher Building’s concrete division as its first member from Oceania. Scoop News has reported that the concrete’s division’s business spans the entire concrete value chain, including 26 limestone and aggregates quarries and 80 ready-mix concrete batching plants. Its cement subsidiary Golden Bay Cement operates the 0.9Mt/yr Portland cement plant in Whangārei, New Zealand.
Fletcher Building concrete division CEO Nick Traber said "Fletcher Building firmly believes we can play a significant part in a carbon zero and circular future. Our Golden Bay EcoSure cement is one of the lowest-carbon cements in the world already, with 13 - 22% less embodied carbon than imported products. We believe having access to the global research and knowledge from the GCCA will help us improve this further and continue to lead Australasia in best practice decarbonisation of the built environment."
Europe: Cemex has reported its success in a trial of zero-CO2 emissions concrete mixer trucks across its operations in France, Germany and Poland. The trial implemented Germany-based Putzmeister’s IONTRON E-Mixer prototype trucks and mobile charging stations. Cemex was able to recharge the vehicles from 20% battery in eight hours. This will enable it to maintain its supply of concrete to construction sites during their operating hours.
Cemex Europe’s mobile equipment fleet and category manager Craig Hooper said “Transport is one of the key areas where Cemex is striving to reduce carbon emissions. Our company is constantly looking for new, more environmentally-friendly transport solutions, hence the decision to conduct extensive pilot studies to verify the possibilities offered by electric concrete mixers. The positive results of the trials in Europe now allow us to think positively about the potential implementation of these vehicles, which will bring Cemex closer to achieving its climate goals.”