FLSmidth has signed a contract with Lafarge North America in excess of US$$150m (approximately DKK780m) for the modernisation of its Joppa, Illinois cement plant in the United States. In addition, two other contracts were signed each with an approximate value of US$$25m (approx. DKK130m) for cement grinding systems. The new 7,200tpd line at Joppa will use the most modern processes and enable Lafarge to maintain highly competitive positions in terms of safety, product quality, low environmental emissions and production costs.

FLSmidth’s US project centre, based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is responsible for these projects. In addition to engineering services, project management, and commissioning, all major machines and auxiliary equipment are included. The pyro-processing system for the Joppa plant consists of the latest generation Multi-Movable Cross-Bar cooler, a rotary kiln, and an ILC 5-stage preheater with low NOx and CO calciner.
 
The new grinding technologies to be installed at the Joppa plant include an FRM raw mill, and an OK mill for cement grinding. The OK mill has been chosen for its demonstrated ability to grind the cement clinker to the extremely fine quality required for the North American market. As a result, all three contracts includes one of the largest OK mills supplied to date; the OK-42. One will be used in Joppa, and the other two will replace and supplement existing cement grinding equipment at two other Lafarge facilities in North America.