Aumund is developing an electrical clay calcination system in a joint development with Holcim at its test centre in Rheinberg, Germany (photo: demo-unit). Clay activation is achieved by a combination of electrical heating and materials circulation in an enclosed pan conveyor system, which is known from high temperature applications. The innovative thermal process minimises the energy requirement for the process and the heat loss. The new eLCC-technology (electrical linear clay calcination) allows for scale-up to industrial production facilities.  In 2025, the construction of a first pilot-plant will be started.

In the first 9 months of 2024, Peru's cement production declined by -3.0% to 9.199 Mt, after 9.487 Mt in the same period last year and 10.996 Mt in the year before.

In the first 9 months of 2024, Panama's cement production declined by -9,6% to 0,968 Mt, after 1.070 Mt in the same period last year and 1.038 Mt in the year before.

US’s Summit Materials, Inc. announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Quikrete Holdings, Inc. for US$ 52.50 per share in cash, for a total enterprise value of approximately US$11.5 billion, including debt. The transaction combines Summit's leading aggregates, cement and ready-mix concrete businesses with Quikrete's leading concrete and cement-based products business (photo: cement terminal) to create a vertically integrated, North American, construction materials solutions provider with strong customer relationships and iconic products. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025. Upon completion of the transaction, Summit will become a privately held subsidiary of Quikrete .

In the first 9 months of 2024, Mexico's cement production of the integrated plants inceased by +3.7% to 32.195 Mt, after 31.061 Mt in the same period last year and 30.375 Mt in the year before.

In the first 9 months of 2024, Chile's cement dispatch declined by -5.4% to 3.680 Mt, after 3.891 Mt in the same period last year and 4.414 Mt in the year before.

Cemex announced an initial industrial scale hydrogen project at its Rugby cement plant in the UK. Hydrogen has emerged as a low-carbon energy source within the construction industry’s decarbonization roadmap. The technology will be provided by HiiROC, the pioneering British hydrogen company that produces affordable and clean hydrogen. The company developed a proprietary Thermal Plasma Electrolysis (TPE) process, which requires just 20% of the electrical energy used in water electrolysis, avoiding CO2 emissions, which will become a game-changer for the industry.