17 March 2025

UK: Aggregate Industries has rebranded as Holcim UK. The company operates over 200 sites across the UK with 4000 employees. Following 20 years as a UK-based subsidiary of Holcim Group, the new direction sees the business align more closely with its Swiss-based parent company, which operates across 70 countries and employs over 60,000 people worldwide.

Holcim UK CEO Lee Sleight said “Our evolution from Aggregate Industries to Holcim UK is much more than a rebrand. It represents a commitment to leading the sector towards a more sustainable future through a commitment to innovation and collaboration.”

Egypt: Sinai Cement reported a net profit of US$60.7m in 2024, compared to a net loss of US$2.40m in 2023. Net sales rose to US$127m in 2024 from US$84.7m in 2023. Non-consolidated net profit reached US$60.7m, compared to a loss of US$2.32m in 2023.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Heidelberg Materials Cement BiH recorded a net profit of US$28.2m in 2024, up by 37% year-on-year. Total sales rose by 25% to US$99.9m. Domestic sales revenue increased by 30% to US$62.7m, while foreign market sales rose by 36% to US$4.5m, the company said in its annual report.

India: Swachha Andhra Co. chair K Pattabhiram and Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board chair P Krishnaiah said cement manufacturers must use refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in kilns as per the Solid Waste Management rules issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in 2018. The regulation requires a minimum RDF usage of 15% to reduce coal consumption in cement production.

Pattabhiram said 7000t of waste is generated daily from 123 urban local bodies, and stressed the need for daily processing to eliminate dumping yards. He urged cement plants within 400km of municipalities to comply. Krishnaiah added that a joint technical committee would be formed to assist cement producers in implementing the rule.

Kyrgyzstan: Cement imports rose by 330% year-on-year to 38,000t in January 2025, according to the National Statistics Committee. Kazakhstan supplied 24,700t, Uzbekistan 13,100t and Iran 189t. Total cement imports in 2024 increased by 220% to 0.5Mt, while domestic production rose by 4.3% to 3.1Mt.