The CW Group's CemWeek 2010 India Business Sentiment Survey offers a comprehensive evaluation of market trends and themes that have characterized the Indian cement sector over the past six months as well as beyond. the survey captures — in quantitative data and qualitative observations — the experiences of individuals who are “on the front lines” of the Indian cement sector.

Since the early 90’s Secil, the Portuguese cement group, and the Cachapuz Bilanciai Group have maintained a strong partnership. The relationship started with the implementation of the SLV Cement solution to improve the dispatching operations at Secil's cement plants in Portugal.

In this second part of two, CemWeek continues the interview with Mr. Jouni Salo, CEO of KHD Wedag, about the evolution of the industry, strategy and some personal reflections.

Following KHD Wedag's recent reorganization, CemWeek spoke to the company's CEO, Mr. Jouni Salo, about the changes, the industry and strategy. We also touched upon the Colonge-based industry major's success in Asia and in particular India and discussed what has brought this success.

Holcim recently did what may be a first in the US cement sector – install solar panels as a part of the energy supply for the Penrose plant in Colorado, US. CemWeek spoke to John Todd, Plant Manager, and Ryan Trujillo, Contract Specialist, to find out more about the project and the different factors that influenced the alternative fuel plan and about Holcim’s continuing drive to build a sustainable energy program.

The Turkish facility has deployed passive EPC Gen tags and readers to automate the filling of trucks, thus lowering costs and improving the facility's capacity by up to 20 percent. Cimko's factory in southern Turkey has deployed an RFID-based system to speed the weighing and loading of hundreds of trucks per day.

CemWeek recently had an in-depth discussion with Ratan K. Shah, the Chief Manufacturing Officer for the Aditya Birla Group - one of India’s largest cement producers and its biggest exporter of clinker and cement. He talked about trends in the fast expanding Indian cement market, including the firm’s production philosophy, environmental safety policies, and international expansion plans.

CemWeek and Prescon recently had a chat with Mr. Roland Hunziker from the WBCSD about the some of the trade-offs facing African cement manufacturers as they consider sustainable development initiatives. Much is happening on the continent and a host of new projects may lead to Africa having one of the most sustainable industries – but clearly there is work ahead.

So where’s the opportunity with all of these new building materials that are poised to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry while helping to clean up its less-than-stellar environmental record?

We recently caught up with Eurogypsum’s Jean Pierre Clavel to discuss current trends affecting the gypsum sector in Europe. In particular, the interview highlighted the state of gypsum recycling and what companies, equipment vendors and governments can do to advance the cause. Mr. Clavel is the President of the European gypsum industry association Eurogypsum.