Dear Readers

Our industry has met up at several events around the globe in recent weeks. As always, ZKG International was there to report for you: the Hanover Trade Fair focussed on “Integrated Industry”, and also showcased a whole range of new products and applications that can be used immediately in everyday production. We highlight a selection of these from Page 24 onward. The IEEE-IAS/PCA Cement Industry Technical Conference held in Toronto at the end of April provided, as a North American industry forum, information on current topics in the world of cement (Page 27 onward). Last but not least, an international audience gathered in early May for the Loesche Seminar in Vienna. Alternative fuels (AF) were an important item on this event’s agenda. Participants were informed on the current status of AF technology - and not only in theoretical technical papers, there was also an opportunity to view the solutions previously examined in actual cement-plant practice and to discuss them with users (from Page 30). A significant conclusion drawn here was that AF logistics will present an ever greater challenge in the future.

Optimum logistics are also a vital factor within the cement plant. Process-control and handling/shipment systems permit not only the optimisation of processes, but also of product and information flows. The management system installed in the cement-grinding plant recently commissioned in Burkina Faso is discussed from Page 34 onward. This system controls and monitors the production facilities, and provides support for in-plant logistical processes.

Other focuses in this issue include state-of-the-art filter technology for cement plants, the repair of two pre-calciner towers in Europe and Asia, and the use of additives in the back-filling of boreholes.

I wish you all much informative reading in this issue!

Yours

Anett Fischer
Editor-in-Chief
ZKG International