Bruks Siwertell technologies help keep pace with growing cement demand

Infrastructure investments, storm protection and rising sea levels drive up cement demand. Enclosed Siwertell ship-unloading and loading technology is assisting with the growing global demand for cement; eliminating spillage and minimizing dust is essential to meeting volumes in a sustainable way.

 

Two years ago, the USA introduced its Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated US$110 billion for repairing and upgrading roads and bridges, several billions on building and upgrading rail lines, as well as US$50 billion in ‘weatherization’, driving up US demand for cement.

 

The US is not alone. Global population increases, the risks posed by rising sea levels, and the requirement for greater protection against storms and flooding are also causing a substantial boost in cement trade volumes.

 

However, bulk cement imports are known to be challenging work, both environmentally and operationally. Cement is specially formulated to react with water and even minimal exposure to moisture can pose a problem.

 

“For a powdery dry bulk material, cement can be relatively sensitive to the way in which it is handled during loading, ocean transit, unloading and onwards for downstream transport,” says Bertil Anderson, Sales Manager, Bruks Siwertell.

 

“Shipment losses though spillage, spoilage or dust emissions, are both environmentally and financially unacceptable,” Anderson continues. “Therefore, it is extremely important to Bruks Siwertell that we meet this rising demand for cement in the most sustainable way possible.

 

This is why our systems are enclosed, eliminating spillage, and reducing dust emissions to a minimum. It also means that they are able to overcome the many challenges inherent to its handling and transportation.”

 

 

 

Bruks Siwertell is witnessing this uptick in demand in a number of ways, with recent inquiries and orders for cement handling systems at an all-time high. Siwertell screw-type conveyor technology has a worldwide reputation for high-capacity, environment-friendly cement handling, something that extends to both its large scale systems and road-mobile technology.

 

Most recently, the company has secured an order for a next-generation Siwertell road-mobile ship-unloader, destined to deliver extremely efficient, environment-friendly cement handling in East Africa.

 

The high capacity and reliability of the Siwertell 15 000 S, the largest road-mobile unloading system available on the market today, were the main reasons why the operator opted for this particular Siwertell unit.

 

The Siwertell 15 000 S trailer-based unloader offers a rated cement handling capacity of 500tph (tonnes per hour), discharging vessels of up to 15,000dwt. It is planned for delivery in spring 2024 and will also feature the latest programmable logic controller (PLC), which ensures peak operational performance and delivers advanced troubleshooting as well; an invaluable asset when working in remote locations.

 

“Many African ports are undergoing a series of modernizations and our road-mobile systems are ideal for these programmes. In addition to delivering environmental benefits, they offer flexibility, high material handling capacities, accommodate a range of vessel sizes and deliver continuously efficient ship-unloading,” notes Jörgen Ojeda, Director, Mobile Unloaders, Bruks Siwertell.

 

“Dry bulk markets, including the cement sector, can be quite unpredictable, with demand arising in regions that simply have not yet been developed. Road-mobile systems can literally drive to these locations, set up within an hour, and discharge vessels the moment that they have been unfolded,” he adds.

 

 

 US SETTING THE PACE

Road-mobile cement unloader orders are also continuing at a pace in the US. Earlier this year, a next-generation Siwertell road-mobile ship-unloader was ordered by new customer, Kosmos Cement Company. The American-owned cement producer will deploy the system at its Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania facility. It offers a rated cement handling capacity of up to 300tph, discharging vessels up to 5,000dwt.

 

A new Siwertell road-mobile ship-unloader has recently been delivered for cement handling operations in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, USA, for returning customer, Cemex. The 10 000 S next-generation unit adds to a portfolio of Siwertell technology used by the Mexico-based multinational building materials company.

 

As the only company able to offer a mobile ship-unloader around this size, this was a significant driver for the contract, along with the ability to deliver the unit within a short timeframe. The road-mobile system also offers a great deal of flexibility, enabling the operator to easily transport ship-unloading capabilities between sites.

 

Beyond the US and including larger-scale systems, at the end of 2022, Bruks Siwertell received an order from Hallet Capital Pty Ltd for a cement handling Siwertell ship-unloader for the south Australian port of Adelaide.

 

The gantry-mounted Siwertell 490 F-type unit was ordered along with a jetty screw conveyor system to feed a dome silo and individual screw conveyors for installation inside the dome. It is planned for delivery this year and will discharge bulkers up to 40,000dwt at a rated cement handling capacity of 500tph.

 

The port does not allow any fixed installations, so the ship-unloader will be fitted with a rubber-tyre wheelbase ensuring in-port mobility. Part of the operator’s decision to choose Siwertell technology was based on Bruks Siwertell’s extensive experience with other cement import terminals.

 

Siwertell shiploading technology is also in demand, with a screw-type HST 1000 1B shiploader on order for cement handling operations in Tuban, on the Indonesian island of Java.

 

Ordered by engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor, PT Hutama Karya (Persero), the new shiploader will secure material transfers for the state-run operator, PT Solusi Bangun Indonesia.

 

The HST 1000 1B-type shiploader will be delivered this year. It will offer a continuous cement handling capacity of 1,000tph, loading either open-hatched or conventional bulk carriers up to 50,000dwt.

 

“All these operators are looking for systems that meet demand in the most efficient and profitable way. What we offer meets this brief, but ambitiously steps beyond that and meets the strictest environmental regulations of any port, whilst still delivering market-leading through-ship efficiencies and returns on investment,” Anderson concludes.