Spain: Spain's cement consumption declined by 0.5%, with 10.9Mt consumed by the end of the third quarter of 2024, 50,760t less than the same period in 2023, according to Oficemen. However, a 7.1% increase in consumption in September 2024 was also observed, with 1.22Mt consumed, 80,515t more than in September 2023.

General manager of Oficemen, Aniceto Zaragoza, said "The latest cement consumption data continues to corroborate our forecasts for the end of 2024, which pointed to a slight improvement from the summer onwards. At the same time, the positive evolution of building permits could indicate that we are witnessing a moderate change in trend, although, as we have indicated on other occasions, we must wait to see if these works are actually carried out in the short term."

Since September 2023, 14.4Mt of cement were consumed, marking a 1.8% decline year-on-year. Despite a 16% increase in cement exports in September 2024, the annual cumulative data for the first nine months still shows a 14.7% decline, equating to a reduction of 617,855t. Since September 2023, exports have fallen by 17%, resulting in a reduction of 955,590t.

India: Dalmia Bharat has reported a 60.5% decline in net profit to US$5.83m for the second quarter ending 30 September 2024, down from US$14.8m in the same period in 2023. Revenue from operations slightly decreased by 2% to US$36.7m, compared to US$37.5m in 2023. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) also fell by 27% to US$5.16m. However, the company recorded an 8.4% year-on-year increase in cement volumes to 6.7Mt.

Managing director and CEO Puneet Dalmia said "I believe that as India grows, the cement sector will continue to flourish. We are actively working to announce our Phase II expansions within the next nine months and achieve our interim milestone of 75Mt/yr by the 2028 financial year."

Peru: National cement dispatch fell by 2% year-on-year to 1.06Mt in September 2024, according to a report by ASOCEM, the cement manufacturers’ association of Peru. Cement production rose slightly by 0.2% year-on-year to 997,000t, while clinker production dropped by 19% to 661,000t. Cement exports declined by 1% year-on-year to 11,500t, and clinker exports decreased by 45% to 37,400t. However, cement imports increased by 0.5% compared to September 2023 to 21,000t, and clinker imports rose by 34% to 84,000t.

Kenya: Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested three suspects in Baruti, Nakuru County, for impersonating employees of a cement company and defrauding unsuspecting customers by offering cement at low prices. During the raid, assorted SIM cards, a desktop computer and six mobile phones were seized, according to The Star newspaper. The DCI confirms that investigations are ongoing and more accomplices may be arrested. The suspects are currently in custody awaiting formal charges.

India: Shree Cement's Ras quality control laboratory in Rajasthan has been recognised by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), affirming its compliance with the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards. Managing Director Neeraj Akhoury said that the accreditation acknowledges the company's commitment to providing premium, sustainable building materials. The laboratory's role in ensuring standardisation across all product testing is important for maintaining production quality at the plant.

India: The environmental public hearing for Meghatop Cement's proposed integrated cement plant in Wahiajer village, Elaka Narpuh, was conducted on 18 October 2024, according to The Shillong Times. The plant is planned to have a 3.3Mt/yr clinker capacity and 16MW waste heat recovery system, and has faced a mixed reaction from several community members. Franky Laloo from the Meghalaya Pollution Control Board led the hearing, attended by district officials, villagers and company representatives. Supporters emphasised the potential community benefits of the plant, but the Jaintia Women Council expressed some concerns, saying that “We intended to voice our opposition at the hearing, but were prevented by village volunteers and police. A hearing that only accommodates supporters is unacceptable.”

China: Asia Cement (China)’s nine-month profit of US$16.3m in 2023 turned to a loss of US$64.6m in 2024, Dow Jones Institutional News has reported. The group attributed the reversal to a drop in its selling prices.

Switzerland/US: Holcim may list its upcoming market-separated North American business both in the US and Switzerland, Bloomberg has reported. The possibility arose due to Swiss and European restrictions on foreign shareholdings for locally-based funds, which may result in sales of Holcim stocks, with negative price impacts. On the other hand, a dual listing could potentially reduce the liquidity of any future US-listed shares.

SeeNews has reported that Holcim North America will be headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, for tax ‘advantages,’ while operating out of Chicago, US.

Pakistan: DG Khan Cement recorded a 22% year-on-year rise in earnings in the first quarter of the 2025 financial year, to US$2.88m. This came despite a 7% drop in sales, to US$54.9m, and a 12% drop in cement sales volumes, to 1.18Mt.

India: Kaushalya Logistics has commenced operations at its new depot in Amritsar, Punjab, Reuters has reported. The facility will serve JK Cement’s regional distribution operations.