Bangladesh: The modernisation of the only state-owned cement producer in the country, Chhatak Cement, remains unfinished 11 years after the project began, according to the Daily Times of Bangladesh. The government is now reportedly seeking another 1.5 year extension.

The project was launched in 2016, and its cost has more than doubled from US$54m to US$115m. Production has been suspended for more than six years due to shortages of limestone and gas, yet the company has been forced to borrow money to pay its employees every month. The factory has around 200 employees, with a monthly salary bill of US$89,000–US$97,000, according to project authorities.

Project director and plant manager Abdur Rahman, said that production cannot resume before June 2027. Any further delay would mean continued borrowing to pay employees.

An estimated US$6.9m-US$7.6m has reportedly already been spent on salaries over the past 6.5 years while the plant has remained idle. Employees have been assigned essential duties, including the security and maintenance of plant facilities and machinery, as well as ensuring water and electricity supplies. A ‘significant number’ of employees have been working in shifts, particularly to maintain the plant’s security.

The project was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council in March 2016, with completion scheduled for December 2019. The deadline was extended three times, eventually to June 2026, and is now proposed to be extended by another one and a half years. Physical progress stands at 92%, while financial progress is 77%. A section of the limestone transport ropeway in India has not been built, while the required gas pipeline in Bangladesh is also yet to be installed. The ropeway is about 17km long, with 11km in Bangladesh and 6km in India. Work on the Bangladesh section is under way, but construction of the Indian section has yet to begin.

Armenia: Businessman Narek Nalbandyan has acquired the Hrazdan cement plant, which has been idle for years, according to PanArmenian news.

“A new stage of development is beginning for the plant. A large-scale investment programme is planned to be launched as soon as possible. Under the program, the plant's equipment will be modernised, its production capacity will be restored and new jobs will be created,” Nalbandyan said.

The plant is considered one of Armenia's two major cement plants. It has changed owners several times over the past 20 years, according to local press. Most recently, in late 2017, it was acquired by Hrazdan Cement, but bankruptcy proceedings involving the company began in 2022.

Oman: Raysut Cement Group has reported a net profit after tax of US$7m for the first half of 2026, compared to losses of US$7.4m during the same period of 2025. This turnaround was reportedly supported by higher sales volumes and increased operational efficiency.

The group has a regional distribution and export network with a production capacity of approximately 3.47Mt/yr of clinker and 5.70Mt/yr of cement.

Salim Abdul Qader, CEO of Raysut Cement, said that the company succeeded in returning to profitability during the first half of 2026 for the first time in six years.

Malaysia: The disruption to cement supplies currently affecting the market in Sabah is expected to be fully resolved by mid-September 2026. The shortage was reportedly caused by repair and maintenance works at the Cement Industries Sabah (CIS) cement plant in Teluk Sepangar, according to local press. CIS General Manager Sumardi Mohd Yusuf said that market recovery is progressing smoothly after all technical works at the facility had been fully completed on 4 September 2026. He added that ‘unforeseen logistical issues’ had also contributed to the supply disruption.

“The delayed arrival of vessels carrying clinker and bulk cement also contributed to the current disruption in market supply. The delays are caused by unfavourable weather conditions at the port of the plant supplying the materials,” the company said in a statement.

Sumardi said that proactive measures are being taken to increase production in the near term to meet domestic demand and that CIS has also drawn up short-term strategies to ensure the shortage did not persist and affect development projects, such as increasing the volume of clinker sourced from external suppliers to build up larger stockpiles.