Egypt: Suez Cement subsidiary Ready Mix Beton says that it has secured a contract for the supply of concrete for the construction of two new monorail lines projects. Due to begin in late-2020, the contract covers the construction of a monorail line between Cairo and the New Administrative Capital and another between 6 October City and Giza. The company says that it will use Suez Cement’s CEM III/A ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) cement to produce concrete for the 96km monorail network.

Suez Cement said, “CEM III/A cement is highly recommended when building thick concrete supports and massive structures because its hydration temperature of less than 210kJ/kg reduces cracking compared with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) when the applied concrete is subjected to dual exposure to sulphates and chloride ions, as happens in coastal areas.”

India: GM Iron & Steel Company Limited has published plans for the construction of a 0.4Mt/yr slag cement grinding plant in Dhenkanal, Odisha. United News of India has reported that the plant is part of an upcoming construction materials complex, including a 46MW captive power plant, that will cost US$82.7m, according to the company.

Germany: GMI Global’s Slag & Ash Trade Europe 2020 slag and ash conference will take place on 1- 2 October 2020 in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia. Keynote speaker Ana Heitor will give a speech entitled “The Use of Granular Waste Materials for Transport Infrastructure Applications,” reflecting on the construction applications of materials including granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS).

UK: Harsco has published its environmental report for 2019 - 20, a year in which it divested its industrial division, selling three subsidiaries, and acquired US-based hazardous and contaminated waste processing specialists Clean Earth and Stericycle Environmental Solutions, “creating a leading national hazardous waste management platform.” Globally, Harsco derived 80% of revenue over the twelve-month period that ended 30 June 2020 from environmental services, compared to 60% over the twelve months ending 30 June 2017. Chair and chief executive officer (CEO) Nicholas Grasberger said, “Advancing sustainability and being a more purpose-driven company will play an essential role in Harsco’s future.”