13 February 2025

India: Shree Cement has signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Karnataka to invest nearly US$1bn in cement manufacturing facilities over the next five years. The producer will build a cement plant in the city of Kalaburagi, with 3.5Mt/yr of clinker capacity and 3Mt/yr of cement capacity, for US$288m. The plant will create 300 jobs and start production in 2025.

Shree Cement will build a second plant nearby, in the Kalaburagi district. The plant will have a clinker capacity of 3.5Mt/yr and an eventual cement capacity of 6Mt/yr, to be commissioned in two phases. It will create 750 jobs and cost US$575m. Commissioning is scheduled for 2030.

The last project planned is for a clinker grinding plant in the district of Bangalore Rural, with a capacity of 3Mt/yr and a cost of US$98m. The facility will create 250 jobs and begin production in 2028.

Shree Cement has stated that it is ‘committed to sustainable development’ and will ‘incorporate advanced technologies to ensure environmentally friendly operations.’

Oman: Raysut Cement has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (Be'ah) and Germany-based MVW Lechtenberg and Partner to explore the feasibility of producing refuse-derived fuel. The project aims to promote alternative fuel use in heavy industries, reduce waste and support Oman's environmental sustainability goals.

CEO of Raysut Cement, Hilal bin Saif al Dhamri, said "This project underscores the partnership between Be'ah and Raysut Cement in advancing the circular economy and supporting Oman's efforts to achieve carbon neutrality."

Cuba: Cement production fell to 258,000t in 2024, representing only 10% of the country’s installed capacity, according to the OSDE Group of Business Construction Materials. President Reynolds Ramírez Vigaud attributed the decline to energy shortages amid national financial challenges.

The sector's problems date back to 2017, according to CiberCuba, when capacity utilisation was 58%. Despite initiatives such as the first ‘eco-friendly’ cement production in 2018 and the reopening of the Sancti Spíritus cement plant in 2022, the industry has faced logistical issues and plant shutdowns. This has a knock-on effect on the government’s annual housing plan and the inability to meet domestic demand for cement. The government is also prioritising the export of cement to obtain foreign currency, worsening shortages and increasing prices.

New cement plants at Nuevitas and Santiago de Cuba will begin production in 2025.

India: Titan Cement Group has entered the South Asian market through a joint venture with India-based supplementary cementitious materials producer JAYCEE. The producer will hold a majority stake in the new company Atlas EcoSolutions. The venture will source, process, market and distribute supplementary cementitious materials globally in order to help its customers build sustainable construction projects using alternatives to clinker-based cement.

Head of supply chain and energy development Jean-Philippe Benard said "This joint venture aligns perfectly with our strategy to remain at the forefront of low-carbon building materials and highlights our unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation. Entering the South Asian market positions us in a region with vast potential, both in market demand and sustainability impact. Securing long-term access to SCMs provides Titan Group a key alternative for strategically diversifying its portfolio with new low-carbon cements."

Egypt: Arabian Cement Company (ACC) has signed a €25m loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The loan will be used to assist the company’s decarbonisation efforts. It will finance the company’s alternative fuel capacity expansion and automation of its facilities. The company will also acquire and install a hydrogen injection system at its Ain Sokhna cement plant. This will reduce CO₂ emissions by 130,000t/yr.

CEO of Arabian Cement, Sergio Alcantarilla, said "This agreement with EBRD is a key milestone in ACC's sustainability journey, supporting our transition to cleaner technologies. The integration of the hydrogen injection at our Ain Sokhna plant will enhance operational efficiency and significantly reduce our carbon footprint."