Cement News tagged under: Holcim

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Belgium: appeal court overturns competition watchdog fines

06 July 2016, Published under Cement News

Holcim, CBR, CCB and Febelcem, the Belgian cement association, have seen the competition watchdog’s judgment to pay a EUR14.7m fine overturned by the Belgian Court of Appeal. The competition authority fined the cement majors and the association for the alleged formation of a cartel to reduce competition in the domestic market, but the Court of Appeal found that such illegal practices did not occur.

New Zealand: Cape Foulwind closure

29 June 2016, Published under Cement News

Holcim has ceased operations at its Cape Foulwind cement plant in New Zealand following a three-year closure process. The company chose to start importing cement rather than manufacturing locally. National Director of Industries, Ged O’Connell said the plant closure is a worrying development for the West Coast, where many have lost jobs due to economic conditions. “In recent years we've seen energy, construction and manufacturing jobs disappearing from the community at an alarming rat...

Holcim gets approval for extension Eclépens quarry

15 June 2016, Published under Cement News

Holcim has received approval to extend the quarry at the Eclépens cement works in Switzerland. The company exploits the La Birette quarry in the Mormont hills, Vaud canton. The extension will allow the cement maker to increase its production capacity and enable production to continue until 2029.

Holcim Westport land for sale

07 June 2016, Published under Cement News

Following the closure of Holcim's Cape Foulwind cement plant in Westport, New Zealand, the plant site and its 400ha of land are for sale. The 60-year old Holcim plant is due to close 30 June 2016 as the company plans to import cement to two new terminals at Auckland and Timaru. The assets available as part of the sale include a quarry, packing plant site, water treatment plant, farm land, staff housing area and ground lease and wharf silos at the Westport harbour. Potential buyers are abl...

New Zealand: Holcim Westport works close

26 May 2016, Published under Cement News

The closure of Holcim’s Westport cement works next month will result in a loss of jobs and profits for Westport Harbour Ltd (WHL). Holcim is Westport’s main customer, with its cement shipping generating over 80 per cent of WHL's revenue. WHL is a subsidiary of Buller Holdings Ltd (BHL). BHL chief executive Stephen Lowe said seven people would lose their jobs, including five dredge crew and to engineers. They will ensure the dredge and tug remains operational so that it can be used immediat...

Holcim Madagascar successfully tests HFO

23 March 2016, Published under Cement News

Holcim Madagascar has successfully concluded a first test of Tsimiroro heavy fuel oil (HFO). The oil will be used for drying of raw materials before grinding. “The first HFO test was positive and technically satisfactory. But the process will not be limited to a single test. A further test will be carried out after the rainy season,” said Pascal Naud, CEO of Holcim Madagascar. The second test will consider the impact of HFO in terms of production costs in view a falling cement prices in th...

Cement Australia stake up for sale?

21 March 2016, Published under Cement News

One of the two main shareholders of Cement Australia is reported to consider a potential sale of its 50 per cent stake, according to market sources. The value of Cement Australia is being discussed at US$800m, according to reports in Business Spectator. One theory suggests that Holcim could carry out the divestment ahead of plans to sell of its US$3bn Australia and New Zealand division to Adelaide Brighton in light of its merger with Lafarge. However, the deal would be subject to appr...

Buzzi Unicem strengthens US distribution network

22 February 2016, Published under Cement News

Buzzi Unicem has added three new terminals to its distribution network, acquired after the merger between Lafarge and Holcim. Located in Rock Island (IL), Grandville (MI) and Elmira (MI), the terminals will serve new markets for Buzzi.  Rock Island terminal has a cement distribution capacity of around 70,000tpa. Cement is delivered to the terminal from Buzzi's Selma (MO) plant by barge along the Mississipi river, or by rail from the Greencastle (IN), Cape Girardeau (MO) and Selma plants. ...

Mexico: Holcim launches new cement

10 February 2016, Published under Cement News

Holcim México has launched a new cement, Holcim Fuerte, on the local market. The product is targeted at the self-construction and housing sector. The new product offers a 30 per cent improvement in terms of mixing and placing, a 10 per cent higher performance and 50 per cent less cracking, according to the company. Holcim has invested around MXN133m in developing the latest addition its product range, with two years of laboratory research and field trials.

Holcim to close five Belgian concrete plants

14 December 2015, Published under Cement News

Holcim Belgique announced the closure of five concrete plants in Belgium to union representatives. The step will affect around 60 employees in Brugge, Herentals, Izegem, Oostende and Veurne. “The concrete market in Belgium is stagnating and there exists overcapacity in the sector, which has increasingly deteriorated from year to year,” said the company. “As a result, the activity of Holcim Belgique in the sector has been challenged by overcapacity in view of demand. This has affected ...