Displaying items by tag: market
Holcim acquires Minerales y Agregados
15 June 2023Guatemala: Switzerland-based Holcim has acquired mortars and adhesives producer Minerales y Agregados, Reuters has reported. Holcim described Guatemala as a 'high-growth market.'
Cemento Inka to build batching plant in Trujillo
12 June 2023Peru: Cemento Inka says that it plans to build a new ready-mix concrete batching plant in Trujillo, La Libertad Department. Nate's Crest News has reported that the plant will have a capacity of 87,700t/yr and cost US$150,000 to build. Commissioning is scheduled to follow eight weeks after the start of construction. The company, which holds a 4% share in the Peruvian cement market, recorded a 22% year-on-year fall in its concrete, paving and mortar sales during the first quarter of 2023. Over the same comparison period, domestic cement demand dropped by 15%.
Cemento Inka currently produces ready-mix concrete in the south of Peru at Cajamarquilla, Lima Province, while competitor Cementos Pacasmayo serves La Libertad and neighbouring markets in the north.
Cemex to acquire Atlantic Minerals Limited
12 May 2023Canada: Mexico-based Cemex has concluded a deal to acquire aggregates producer Atlantic Minerals Limited. Atlantic Minerals Limited operates an aggregate quarry and port facilities in Newfoundland. Cemex described the business as 'well-positioned' to supply aggregates to its customers in Florida, where it expects 'sustained' growth in demand, as well as elsewhere in the Eastern US. After the acquisition is complete, Atlantic Minerals Limited will continue to operate as Cemex Materials Newfoundland.
Cemex USA president Jaime Muguiro said “This acquisition significantly strengthens our existing network and enables us to serve new markets. I look forward to building on the success of this business as we meet increased demand from the private and public sectors, including critical investments in federal and state infrastructure.”
US: Holcim US has announced the launch of its ECOPact reduced-CO2 concrete in the Fargo, North Dakota, and Twin Cities, Minnesota, metropolitan areas. ECOPact products offer up to 80% reduced CO2 emissions compared with ordinary Portland cement (OPC)-based concretes, and can also integrate construction and demolition waste. Holcim US has sold the ECOPact range in Boston, Massachusetts, and Washington DC since 2020.
Holcim US' North Central regional senior vice president Randy Gaworski said "With countless developments already in the pipeline, and so much on the horizon, engineers, architects and developers are driving demand to integrate sustainable building practices throughout the region. This is an exciting opportunity to offer our customers high-quality, low-carbon products for meeting our shared commitments to sustainability and net-zero construction."
Australia: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has called for public comment on Switzerland-based Sika's proposed acquisition of Germany-based fellow construction chemicals producer MBCC Group. The commission has raised 'preliminary concerns' over the possible competition impacts of Sika obtaining an 80% Australian market share as a result of the deal.
Sika group responded to the ACCC's concerns with an offer of an undertaking to divest MBCC Group's entire Australia and New Zealand business.
Cemex launches bio-based admixtures
13 January 2023World: Cemex has announced the launch of new bio-based admixtures which offer CO2 emissions reductions of up to 70% compared to oil-based admixtures in its Asian, European and Middle Eastern markets. The range includes 10% reduced-CO2 IsoPlast Bio, 20 - 30% reduced-CO2 IsoFlex Bio plasticisers and superplasticisers and 50% reduced-CO2 IsoFlow Bio high-performance superplasticiser technology, as well as CO2-reducing IsoMill Bio grinding aids. The products will subsequently become available in other markets during 2023.
CEO Fernando González said “Innovation is at the core of our efforts to become a carbon neutral company and foster a more circular building materials industry." He added "Innovative admixtures aim to enhance concrete's sustainable attributes for our customers further.”
Holcim Argentina achieves 50% ECOPact concrete deliveries
05 August 2022Argentina: ECOPact reduced-CO2 concrete accounted for 50% of Holcim Argentina’s cement deliveries at the end of the first half of 2022, a higher share than in any other country apart from the UK. Holcim launched ECOPact concrete across its markets in June 2021. Holcim Argentina plans to execute new investments to further increase its distribution of the product.
The company’s head of concrete José Villacreses said “We have set ourselves even more challenging goals. We will be the undisputed ally for sustainable projects throughout Argentina. Whoever wants to measure their carbon footprint to offer sustainable construction will find in Holcim the necessary solution to be able to achieve the certifications that society demands today.”
Colombia: Cementos Argos has shared plans for an 80% increase to its planned aggregates production capacity in Colombia to 4.5Mt/yr by 2024. In 2022, the company predicts that its aggregates business will contribute full-year earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of US$2.8bn.
Colombia's annual aggregates consumption is 130 - 140Mt/yr.
HIL to acquire Fast Build Block
01 August 2022India: CK Birla Group’s fibre cement roofing subsidiary HIL has agreed to acquire Fast Build Blocks for US$8.22m in a ‘slump sale.’ Fast Build Blocks produces autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks in Cuttack, Odisha. Press Trust of India News has reported that HIL is using the acquisition to establish a leadership position in the Eastern Indian market.
Holcim to acquire Ol-Trans
19 July 2022Poland: Switzerland-based Holcim has concluded an agreement to acquire ready-mix concrete producer Ol-Trans. Ol-Trans operates five batching plants and is the market leader in Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot. Holcim says that its new customers in the region will benefit from access to its CO2-saving products, including Agila Fibro self-compacting concrete, which can reduce steel reinforcement usage in construction by up to 50%.
Holcim’s Europe, Middle East and Africa regional head Miljan Gutovic said “With this acquisition we will further expand the footprint of ECOPact green concrete, the first and most comprehensive sustainable concrete range in Poland.”