Germany: Cool Planet Technologies and Hereon have signed a memorandum of understanding with Holcim Deutschland to provide carbon capture systems for carbon capture and storage (CCS) trials at the producer Höver cement plant in Lower Saxony. Cool Planet Technologies will install their system, which is based on Hereon's PolyActive membrane technology. The collection capacity of the system is 5600 tons/year, and the operating time is from early 2022 to early 2023. If successful, the subsequent two expansions will increase the system's production capacity to 170,000 tons/year, and start operations in 2024, 1.3 tons/year, and start in 2026.
Suppliers stated that their membrane-based capture system can reduce energy intensity and eliminate the need for other chemical inputs in CCS.
India: Dalmia Cement plans to reduce carbon 100% of its cement by 2031. The company has a US$405 million carbon capture and utilization (CCU) investment program to help it achieve its goals. It will also take carbon offset measures.
Business Line News reported that the company plans to spend US$1.35 billion to increase its cement installed capacity by 52% to 50 metric tons per year from 33 metric tons per year before FY 2024.
Australia: James Hardie’s consolidated sales in the first half of fiscal year 2022 were US$1.75 billion, an increase of 28% from the US$1.36 billion in the first half of fiscal 2021. Its earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) more than doubled from US$197 million to US$398 million. Fibre cement board sales in North America increased by 17%, from 395 square meters to 463 square meters, and sales in the Asia-Pacific region more than doubled from 47.3 square meters to 96.5 square meters.
In fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024, the group plans to complete the expansion of the Prattville cement board plant in Alabama, USA and the European cement board plant, and establish a new cement board plant in Victoria, Australia. It also plans to purchase land in the United States for the establishment of a new cement board plant there in the future.
CEO Jack Truong said: "Our mission is to become a high-performance global company that consistently provides above-market organic growth and strong returns. Ten consecutive quarters of growth above the market and strong returns, This has resulted in an acceleration in operating cash flow, which is enabling us to expand our global manufacturing capabilities, accelerate our growth plans, restore common dividends, reduce our debt position, and increase cash contributions to the Asbestos Injury Compensation Fund (AICF)."
India: UltraTech Cement has committed to the Global Cement and Concrete Association’s 2050 net-zero concrete roadmap. It stated that while fulfilling its promises, it hopes to contribute to the building of a sustainable world for tomorrow. The roadmap also includes a sectoral commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by another 25% by 2030.
Colombia: Cemex Colombia was fined $16.8 million by the Colombian National Tax and Customs Administration (DIAN) for violation of its 2012 income tax payment. According to reports, the company improperly estimated its balance for the year. Cemex Colombia said it will take the matter to court. The lawsuit must be filed before March 2022.
© 2021 Pro Global Media Ltd. all rights reserved.