Cement News tagged under: Switzerland

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Holcim joins Circularity Task Force at COP28

04 December 2023, Published under Cement News

Holcim has become a founding member of the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s (SMI) Circularity Task Force, launched at COP28 in Dubai, to accelerate the world’s shift to a circular economy. The task force aims to close essential material loops to advance climate action, while preserving nature’s resources and planetary boundaries.  This commitment adds to Holcim’s leadership in circular construction, a driver of its decarbonisation journey, which includes the goal of recycling more than...

Swiss team draws on archives to develop low-carbon binders

01 December 2023, Published under Cement News

A team of experts from EPFL (Switzerland), ETH Zurich and a Geneva-based architecture firm has developed a new type of non-reinforced concrete made from stone offcuts. Their method, known as ‘Cyclopean’, draws on ancient technologies uncovered in historical archives to reduce the use of carbon-intensive cement-based binders.  In October this year, the team built six load-bearing walls in Lucery-Villars, Switzerland, using recovered stone-quarry waste and fieldstone. The prototype str...

Aggregate Industries appoints group strategy and commercial growth director

23 November 2023, Published under Cement News

Aggregate Industries , part of Holcim , has appointed Kaziwe Kaulule as its new group strategy and commercial growth director. With a career spanning over 19 years with the Holcim Group, Mr Kaulule brings extensive experience to the role, including operations, digital transformation, business development, and mergers and acquisitions. His most recent role was as chief executive officer (CEO) at Lafarge Industries South Africa . He has also served as CEO at Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe and h...

Holcim US rebrand reaches Atlanta

17 November 2023, Published under Cement News

Holcim US has announced that the expansion of its rebrand has now touched down in Atlanta, Georgia, one of its major cement distribution markets. The transition will see the company refresh its branding and renew its commitment to sustainability as part of the global focus on becoming a net-zero company. With cement terminals in Cartersville, Duluth and Covington, Georgia, the rebranding initiative reinforces Holcim’s dedication to the Metro Atlanta area and Southern region, according ...

Holcim exits Uganda and Tanzania

15 November 2023, Published under Cement News

Holcim has signed agreements to divest its businesses in Uganda and Tanzania. It has agreed to sell Hima Cement Ltd , its local subsidiary in Uganda, to the Sarrai Group, for an enterprise value of US$120m.  Holcim has also agreed to sell its 65 per cent share in Mbeya Cement Co Ltd in Tanzania to Amsons Group for an undisclosed sum. Completion of both transactions is subject to obtaining the respective regulatory clearances. Martin Kriegner, regional head Asia, Middle East and A...

Lafarge Africa reduces CO2 emissions through AF use

10 November 2023, Published under Cement News

Lafarge Africa has reduced is CO 2 emissions from 595kg CO 2 /t  in 2021 to 574kg CO 2 /t in 2022 through the use of alternative fuels and energy-efficient technologies. According to the company’s 2022 Sustainability Report, its global thermal substitution rate in 2022 stood at 13.5 per cent, compared to 9.4 per cent in 2021, reports This Day.  Prince Adebode Adefioye, chairman, Lafarge Africa, said, “I am delighted to present Lafarge Africa Plc’s latest Sustainability Report, highligh...

Holcim sets out European ambitions

08 November 2023, Published under Cement News

Holcim intends to drive profitable growth in Europe, reaching CHF10bn (US$11.1bn) in net sales and CHF1.6bn in EBIT by 2026 with increasing margins. According to the company, its ambition is to achieve annual organic growth of above four per cent in net sales and more than eight per cent in recurring EBIT to 2030 in Europe, while reducing CO 2 per net sales by 60 per cent compared to 2020.  Miljan Gutovic, region head Europe, said, “Europe offers the most advanced regulatory environmen...

Holcim US expands Ste Genevieve plant

30 October 2023, Published under Cement News

In support of its commitment to sustainably supply the nation’s growing construction industry, Holcim US has announced a US$100m investment in its Ste Genevieve cement plant— the largest cement-producing facility in North America and one of the most technologically advanced and environmentally efficient facilities in the world. The expansion will increase the plant's cement production capacity by more than 600,000tpa while reducing net CO 2 emissions, increasing circularity and accele...

Holcim sees 4% organic growth in 3Q23 sales

27 October 2023, Published under Cement News

Holcim reported net sales of CHF7340m (US$8147m) in the third quarter of 2023, down 8.8 per cent in absolute figures but up 4.3 per cent organically when compared with the 3Q22 when net sales reached CHF8045m. Recurring EBIT increased by 3.1 per cent (14.1 per cent organically) to CHF1600m in the 3Q23 from CHF1551m in the 3Q22. Jan Jenisch, Holcim chairman and CEO, said: “Q3 confirms Holcim’s strong earnings profile, with broad-based growth drivers delivering another increase in profita...

Holcim España invests in renewable fuels at Carboneras plant

25 October 2023, Published under Cement News

Holcim España has reinforced its commitment to decarbonisation by investing in facilities for the use of renewable fuels at its Carboneras cement plant in Almería, Spain. The EUR4m project ensures that the plant is now capable of sourcing 70 per cent of its thermal energy requirements from renewable fuels, resulting in a reduction of more than 22,000t of CO 2 emissions linked to energy use. Attending the inauguration of the new facilities, Jorge Paradela, minister of industry, energy ...