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drymix.info Newsletter 261/2021; ISSN Number 1613-0111; 2. December 2021

1. drymix.info Policy for In-Person Events
2. Articles and Advertorials Welcome: Drymix Mortar Yearbook 2022
3. MEDMA Casual Dinner on 7.12.21 in Dubai, MEDMA Re-Launch on 23. January 2022
4. 6th MORTAR CONVENTION, for ANZPAC, Asia, India and EMEA: 22. to 24. March 2022
5. admmc7, April 2022 in Toronto: Call for Papers Ends 15.12.2021
6. Sika Opens New Subsidiary in West Africa (Ghana)
7. Calucem joins MEDMA as Industrial Partner
8. KaMin Acquires BASF's Kaolin Minerals Business

1. drymix.info Policy for In-Person Events

2021 is almost over and the pandemic is still in full flow (at least in Germany). We had two in-person events in October, one in Munich and one in Cairo. During my recent trip to Singapore and after talking to several industry peers and members of SEADMA there (both in-person and via telephone), we have decided not to stage any in-person event in SEA until at least July 2022. We just can not guarantee free travel and hygienic safety to our members and supporters. Instead, we will stage yet another Live Event Online for Australia, SEA and India/Middle East/Africa/Europe in March 2022 (see below).

But 2022 is coming and we firmly believe that there will be in-person events again: on April 28 in Toronto, on 22. June in Mexico City, on 15. September in Istanbul and on 20. October in São Paulo. We have reviewed available medical recommendations designed to protect corona outbreaks. In order to protect our delegates (and also to support their decision to come), we have decided to announce the following strategy against infections: Delegates and speakers must be fully vaccinated and provide certified proof of such vaccination (the vaccination requirement also applies to delegates that have recovered from CoVid-19). The completed vaccination can only be 6 months old, which means that delegates with older vaccinations must have obtained their booster shot within 6 months before the respective event. Local, state, territorial laws and regulations to vaccination status may apply, we will strictly adhere to those and keep you updated.

Of course all in-person events will remain subject to further notice - we can not predict which turn the pandemic takes.

We hope you, your family and friends had a good year personally, despite the pandemic situation. We extend our deepest condolences to those who have lost a loved one. To all of you, dear partners and friends, we wish good health a nice festive season and a wonderful 2022.

It will never stop getting better.

Gabriele, Leo

2. Articles and Advertorials Welcome: Drymix Mortar Yearbook 2022

drymix.info is currently producing the coming Drymix Mortar Yearbook 2022, which is being published on occasion of The Seventh American Drymix Mortar Conference admmc7, taking place on April 28, 2022 at historic King Edward (Omni) Hotel in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and The Seventh Central and South European Drymix Mortar Conference cedmmc7, Çırağan Palace Kempinski Hotel, Istanbul, Turkey. We would like to encourage all supporters of drymix.info, MEDMA and SEADMA to submit scientific articles or commercial advertorials in the only publication focussed entirely on drymix mortars (publishing fees apply).

3. MEDMA Casual Dinner on 7.12.21 in Dubai, MEDMA Re-Launch on 23. January 2022

The Middle East Drymix Mortar Association, Dubai, UAE is inviting its members to a casual dinner on Tuesday 7. December 2021, 19:00 at Aprons & Hammers (at La Mer Shopping Centre, Jumeirah). In order to be on the safe side, we will dine outside and attendance is by invitation only (one delegate per company). This festive dinner under the stars is sponsored in part by Calucem, thanks a lot.

Also, MEDMA is announcing a workshop for the re-launch of the Dubai Association under Dubai Chamber governance. This meeting will take place on Sunday, 23. January 2022 from 14:00 to 18:00, a dinner will follow (exact location is yet to be determined). We will discuss in groups the strategy for MEDMA to become the key professional industry association for drymix mortars which tackles eminent problems in the Middle East markets for drymix mortars:
a) specifications, standards and their enforcement
b) efficient and low-maintenance construction
c) environmentally conscious buildings
d) long range durability and weather resistance.

With the help of its members, MEDMA acts as neutral and competent advisor of local governments and institutions throughout its region. Active contributions are welcome, also of course sponsoring.

Since this is a workshop, no admission will be charged. However, in the current situation, we must limit the amount of delegates from each company to 2 only (sorry). Please register by e-mail to info@drymix.info.

4. 6th MORTAR CONVENTION, for ANZPAC, Asia, India and EMEA: 22. to 24. March 2022

Considering the fact that it will hardly be possible to stage in-person events in Australia, New Zealand and most of Asia within the next twelve months, drymix.info has decided to stage the 6th MORTAR CONVENTION (6MC) as three Live Events Online to drymix mortar experts in the mentioned regions. For raw material and equipment suppliers as well as distributors, this is an excellent chance to get in touch with their customers and present their companies:
5MC Tier one („ANZPAC Day“): Tuesday 22. March 2022, 13:00 Sydney Time to 17:00 (from 03:00 Munich Time)
5MC Tier two („East Asia and SEA Day“): Wednesday 23. March 2022, 13:00 Singapore Time to 17:00 (from 06:00 Munich Time)
5MC Tier three 24.3.22 („EMEA + India Day”), 13:00 UAE Time (Mumbai 13:30),  to 17:00 UAE Time (from 09:00 Munich Time)

We have analyzed the feedback from our previous Live Events Online and changed the concept and format in many ways, so what's new on 6th MORTAR CONVENTION?
a) Three individual Live Events Online for the respective regions
b) Compact (shorter) program: presentation time is limited to 9 minutes per contribution. Thus, each tier will last max. 4 hours
c) Region specific content: apart from the lecturing program the event will feature live interviews with industry peers on topics relevant for each specific region.
d) Efficient Networking Sessions (less breaks), there will be a Speed Dating Trophy!
e) Larger Industry Showcase (new sponsoring packages, please enquire with us)
f) Cheaper Admission (!)

A Call for Papers is available at drymix.info, it expires on 31. January 2022, we do encourage also drymix mortar manufacturers and institutional scientists to report about their recent developments. Registration of delegates will be available shortly on www.drymix.info.

5. admmc7, April 2022 in Toronto: Call for Papers Ends 15.12.2021

The Seventh American Drymix Mortar Conference and Industry Showcase admmc7 takes place at historic King Edward (Omni) Hotel in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on April 28, 2022. You are encouraged to submit your lecturing proposal to drymix.info by 15. December 2021 (request our Call for Papers). Our Technical Chairman if Prof. Dr. Johann Plank, Technische Universität München (TUM).

Admission to admmc7 is 475 Euro (CDN 680), reduced for drymix.info Partners to 375 Euro (CDN 540), drymix mortar manufacturers pay only 190 Euro (CDN 275). Online registration will be available from 1. January 2022 on www.drymix.info.

6. Sika Opens New Subsidiary in West Africa (Ghana)

Sika AG, Baar, Switzerland has recently established a new subsidiary in Accra, Ghana. The new activity also features a production plant, located in Accra Tema Industrial Zone. In a first step, Sika will produce concrete admixtures and grinding aids there, early in 2022, it is planned to manufacture drymix mortars such as cementitious tile adhesives (CTA) and grouts there. According to Ivo Schädler, responsible for Sika's EMEA region, the company now operates 18 subsidiaries on the African Continent.

7. Calucem joins MEDMA as Industrial Partner

Calucem GmbH of Mannheim, Germany has recently joined The Middle East Drymix Mortar Association MEDMA (a Dubai, UAE Association) as Industrial Partner. Calucem produces high alumina cements for the construction, drymix mortar and refractory industries, from its plant in Pula/Istria, Croatia, Calucem delivers to all continents. Calucem operates a technical center in Mannheim, Germany. The precursor of Calucem was founded in 1925, the company recently celebrated its 95th birthday. Recently, Calucem was acquired by Cementos Molins, Barcelona, Spain (we reported earlier).

We warmly welcome Calucem within MEDMA.

8. KaMin Acquires BASF's Kaolin Minerals Business

KaMin LLC, Macon, Georgia, USA has recently acquired the kaolin minerals business of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. This minerals business was formerly part of BASF'S performance chemicals division. It has 4440 employees worldwide (Europe, Americas, Asia) and had a turnover of 155 mio Euro in 2020. The deal includes the production and mining operations in the US, namely the sites in Daveyville, Toddville, Edgar, Gordon and related mines, reserves and mills in Toomsboro and Sandersville in Georgia. BASF will keep the co-located refinery catalysts operations. Citing Michael W. Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer of KaMin: “(...) by combining BASF’s calcine portfolio with KaMin’s hydrous products, we will be able to provide (...) kaolin-based (...) mineral solutions (...) globally.” Both parties did not disclose any financial details of the deal, which is still subject to the usual approval by the merger control authorities, closing of the transaction is expected in the second half of 2022.


WE KEEP BUILDING


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