Special reports

Andre Vos and Ingmar Holst, Claudius Peters, introduce a new development in clinker cooler technology that utilises standard parts to optimise production processes and minimise CO2 emissions.

Lisa Hartig and Sebastian Maibaum, IKN GmbH, outline the steps taken during the commissioning phase of a new pyro line at a German cement plant.

Florian Laux, REFKO Feuerfest GmbH, revisits the performance of a lining technology that has been used to repair cement kilns in a number of different plants.

Imran Akram, IA Cement, considers the state of the global cement market and outlines the prospects for what may be a difficult year ahead.

Zachary Shadoan and Connor Shelton, IGS, discuss the importance of quality when it comes to air cannon nozzles.

Carl Swisher, 4B Components, introduces a new material used in the design of elevator buckets that offers a lightweight, durable, and non-stick alternative to carbon steel.

Carina Scheer & Nathan Schindler, Evonik, explain how oxygen enrichment can help enhance production capacity while also driving energy consumption down.

Mary Beth Kramer, CemAI, explains how artificial intelligence and machine learning are now essential tools for cement producers to stay competitive in an industry embracing process optimisation and automation.

Jose Lopez, FLSmidth, relays how Cemento PANAM has achieved success and reduced its carbon footprint and fossil fuel bill by implementing a 350 m waste heat bypass system.

Marco Rovetta, CTP Team, offers an analysis of how much heat can be recovered from a cement line and the impact that waste heat recovery (WHR) can have on the sustainability of the cement industry.

Neville Roberts, N+P Group, explains how energy costs, government policy, and supply chain stresses have combined to create the ‘perfect storm’ for alternative fuels, driving widespread adoption in the cement sector and elsewhere.

Paul Fletcher, CEMEX, outlines how the ‘Future In Action’ ESG strategy is working hard to reduce packaging waste across the supply chain.

Three more companies from around the world have become members of leading industry body, the Global Cement and Concrete Association, demonstrating their commitment to reaching net zero by 2050, in line with the GCCA Industry Roadmap for Net Zero Concrete.

David Perkins, Lehigh Hanson, provides a case study exploring the processes behind the construction of a modern cement plant in Mitchell, Indiana.

When comparing imported conveyor belts with those manufactured by major European brands the price discrepancy is large, yet conveyor specialist Leslie David explains why this may be justified when considering the ‘whole life’ cost.