Cement News tagged under: Technical forum
Electrical heating technologies15 January 2024, Published under Cement NewsAs the electrification of the cement kiln process generates an increasing amount of interest, this month’s Technical Forum looks at the potential technology options that could be deployed in the push towards decarbonisation. Dr Clark asks which electrification technologies could be deployed to electrify the cement kiln process based on Cementa and Vattenfall of Sweden’s “CemZero” prefeasibility study, published in 2018 Electrification of the cement kiln process continues to a... |
Net-zero business models04 December 2023, Published under Cement NewsCemtech Europe 2023, held earlier this year in Istanbul, Turkey, provided a wealth of interesting presentations on a range of topics, including net-zero business models for cement companies. This month Dr Clark takes a closer look at such models and what they mean for the cement industry. At Cemtech Europe 2023, a presentation by Fabian Apel (McKinsey & Co) on cement industry business models for the net-zero transition provided Dr Clark food for thought (© Tradeship Publicati... |
Profit margins under pressure20 November 2023, Published under Cement NewsIn 2022 cement company profit margins came under pressure, particularly when compared with the previous year. Dr Michael Clark takes a closer look at cement company profit margins in 2022 and 2023, the factors that affect them and how to protect profits in a changing world. By Dr Michael Clark, UK. Figure 1: comparison of gross margins in 2021 vs 2022 (©Dr Michael Clark) When compared to cement company profits in 2021, the profits in 2022 came under pressure. Whitehopleman’s... |
Limestone specifications23 November 2021, Published under Cement NewsWhen asked to review the suitability of limestone deposits for cement manufacture, Dr Michael Clark makes a range of important assessments such as what other materials would need to be added to produce a clinker with the required mineral content. The lime content of a limestone deposit is one assessment that needs to be made during an evaluation This author has been asked twice during the pandemic to review data on limestone deposits and their suitability for cement manufacture.... |
Financial ratio analysis23 February 2021, Published under Cement NewsCement producers should use financial ratio analysis to compare their performance with others around the world. However, this must be combined with peer group analysis to account for differing operational circumstances. Figure 1: EBITDA profit margin Financial ratio analysis is used to assess the condition and performance of cement companies based on the performance published in their financial statements, such as their income statement (profit and loss), statement of financial ... |
Determining the cost24 November 2020, Published under Cement NewsIn this month’s Technical Forum, Dr Michael Clark considers how to reduce electricity costs by looking at how much is consumed and ways to lower the price of energy. While this is less of an issue in countries with low electricity costs, the lack of incentive to reduce costs could be a different kind of problem. Figure 1: the electricity cost of cement grinding The cost of something is a function of the price paid and the amount purchased or consumed. It is obvious, but there ar... |
The last iceman in west Africa28 September 2020, Published under Cement NewsDr Michael Clark takes a look at the history of the cement industries in Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Togo, which have each seen an influx of new capacity surplus to demand. Regarding the strategy behind the companies investing in new facilities, it could be a case of defending market share in a hugely competitive environment. HeidelbergCement’s clinker plant in Tabligbo, Togo The inspiration for this month’s Technical Forum came from the CemNet webinar held on Wednesday, 3 ... |
Cement plant and company readiness for the COVID-19 pandemic24 March 2020, Published under Cement NewsThe cement industry must now prepare for the global COVID-19 pandemic As this extraordinary Technical Forum is being written, the world is reeling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Italy, Spain and France are in complete lock-down with citizens required to remain in their homes. The UK and the United States are not far behind needing to impose such drastic restrictions. In the UK sweeping restrictions were introduced on Monday, 23 March. All social gatherings in restauran... |
Evaluating an EPC project30 January 2019, Published under Cement NewsIn this month’s Technical Forum, Dr Michael Clark looks at the essential factors that cement producers must take into account when choosing the right contractor for a potential EPC project. Time to completion is an important factor to consider, as it will impact the net present value At the beginning of each year, ICR provides an update on new cement capacity projects around the world. Capacity development projects are an infrequent and possibly unique event for a cement company... |
Vocational qualifications08 April 2014, Published under Cement NewsDr Clark is caught up in the ‘spring clean’ of his office but finds that in having to throw away some long-unused resources he is reminded of some past involvements that have merit for today’s cement industry. Vocational training is a great way for trainee cement plant professionals to learn their trade In every organisation there is a periodic need for a tidy-up and clear-out of issues and resources that are no longer relevant to the business. It is perhaps not surprising that ... |