09 October 2025

Saudi Arabia: Northern Region Cement Company (NRCC) has announced the signing of a contract for the construction of a US$8.7m, 20MW solar power plant in Turaif City. The plant will be supplied by Sinoma Overseas Development. The company says that the contract is in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the company’s strategy to increase the use of renewable energy. Construction will take place over 10 months, with operations expected to begin in late 2026.

Sinoma Overseas Development will carry out the full scope of engineering design, procurement, supply and delivery during the contract duration time, in addition to civil construction, installation and commissioning.

US: ATS Walter USA has announced that it will supply Capitol Aggregates’ San Antonio cement plant with a metering and conveying system for solid alternative fuels (AF), with the aim to improve fuel handling and decrease CO₂ emissions at the plant. The system includes a DoseaFloor moving floor receiving system, chain belt conveyors, separator and screen, Doseahorse dosing equipment, Walt’Air air-supported belt conveyor and injection system. The project, to be completed by the end of 2026, will be ATS Walter USA’s fourth AF project in North America.

Senegal: Aliko Dangote, founder and chair of Africa’s largest cement producer Dangote Cement, met with Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on 8 October 2025 to discuss industrial opportunities in the country. The conversation reportedly aligns with Senegal's 2024 – 2029 National Development Strategy to enhance private sector participation.

During the meeting with President Faye, which was also attended by Okey Oramah, President of Afreximbank, Dangote expressed interest in financing and developing projects across the industrial energy and fertiliser sectors. Dangote Cement already operates a 1.5Mt/yr integrated cement plant in Pout, Thiès Region.

France: Heidelberg Materials has launched a new range of its Socli lime product that contains hemp. The product is available in two binder and two coating formulations that combine natural hydraulic lime and plant fibres. Formulated for hempcrete bio-based concrete applications, on vertical walls or for insulating intermediate floors, its high lime content increases durability, according to the producer.

Heidelberg Materials says that the Socli lime range is especially suited to the restoration of historic buildings, as it guarantees breathable walls and healthy indoor air, and prevents mould, while providing thermal and acoustic insulation. The absence of cement further increases hygrometric regulation and thermal insulation.

India: There was ‘significant’ disruption at a public hearing in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on 8 October 2025 due to local people protesting against the development of a new cement plant by Ambuja Cements. Police deployed but in insufficient numbers to stop protesters from rushing the stage with banners and throwing furniture.

The protesters said that local people already suffer from high pollution levels and that they ‘do not have strength to bear the additional pollution’ emitted by the new plant.