Indonesia: PT Kobexindo Cement has entered an agreement to construct a new cement plant in South Aceh, despite a national moratorium on such developments. The project, under China-based Hongshi Holding Group subsidiary Zhejiang Hongshi Cement, plans a US$621m investment for a facility with a 6Mt/yr capacity, according to the Jakarta Post.

The Indonesian central government's moratorium, aimed at curbing oversupply in the cement market, prohibits new cement plants except in specified eastern regions. This edict arose as national cement production significantly exceeded demand, according to the Indonesia Cement Association (ASI).

ASI president Lilik Unggul Raharjo said that the move by South Aceh regency not only violated the ban but also threatened the viability of three state-owned cement companies in Sumatra. Raharjo said "These companies are guaranteed to go out of business. The Industry Ministry will conduct a technical verification of foreign direct investment in the cement industry before the permit is issued.”

Jamaica: Caribbean Cement's US$40m expansion project is set to complete by the first quarter of 2025, boosting cement production by 30%. Managing director Jorge Martinez confirmed the progress during a factory tour hosted by the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA), according to RJR News.

Spain: Cement consumption has increased by 11.5% year-on-year in April 2024, reaching 1.3Mt, which is 136,000t more than April 2023, according to the latest statistics published by the Cement Manufacturers Association (Oficemen).

For the first four months of 2024, cement consumption amounted to 4.65Mt, marking a year-on-year decline of 4.5% compared to the same period in 2023. This represents a loss of 218,000t. Over the last 12 months (May 2023 - April 2024), cement consumption also fell by 4.5%, with total consumption standing at 14.3Mt, 672,700t less than the previous period.

Exports fell nearly 24% in April, amounting to 387,500t. For the year to date, from January to April 2024, exports have reached 1.45Mt, a decrease of 25.3% compared to the same period in 2023. Over the last 12 months, exports have dropped below 5Mt, nearly 1Mt less than the previous year.

Oficemen's general manager, Aniceto Zaragoza, said "This is the first positive month after ten months of decline. However, this percentage growth was influenced by the calendar effect, as this April had more working days due to Easter being in March, not April as last year. In fact, the average daily consumption figures, which are more sensitive to the number of working days, show a decline of 8.8%."

Azerbaijan: Norm Sement Company will utilise sludge from drilling wells for powering its cement plant, following an agreement with the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), according to Trend. The plant has a capacity exceeding 2.1Mt/yr of cement and 5300t/day of clinker.

A source said "In collaboration with SOCAR, we tried sludge to power Norm Sement last year. Negotiations on a long-term deal are underway. Cooperation to use industrial waste supports the country's green economy strategy.”

Tanzania: Fortune Cement Co has initiated white cement production at its new plant in Mkuranga District, Coast Region, aiming to meet both domestic and international demand. The plant, which produces 200t/day of white cement, will bolster employment and increase revenue through exports under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Exaud Kigahe, said “The Ministry will collaborate to ensure that the products manufactured in this plant cross national borders and reach even the African free market.” He also noted that the new production capacity will reduce imports and create job opportunities for Tanzanian youth while enhancing foreign exchange earnings. Currently, over 50% of the raw materials for the plant are sourced locally, excluding white clinker, which is imported.

Egypt: Cemex has entered an agreement with the authorities in Egypt's Gharbia province to operate the first facility of its circularity solutions business, Regenera. The company will treat over 800t/day of municipal solid waste at the facility to produce alternative fuels and compost, aiming for minimal residual waste to landfill.

"Through Regenera, Cemex seeks to conserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and benefit communities by promoting sustainable development and reducing the environmental impact of industrial activities," the company said.

India: India's cement sector has launched a pilot programme utilising electric trucks, according to the Times of India. The industry has deployed about 150 electric vehicles, exploring their potential for reducing long-term operating costs, despite challenges like high initial costs and inadequate charging infrastructure, according to the Cement Manufacturers’ Association president and Shree Cement managing director Neeraj Akhoury.

A report called ‘Greening Logistics: Electrification in cement & raw material transport’ was released, stating that the industry is heavily reliant on road transport and internal combustion engine trucks for moving cement, clinker and other raw materials across an average distance of 300km. The report also says that the transition to E-trucks presents an opportunity to slash logistic costs by 25-40%. Vehicles that operate over 8000km per month can achieve profitability considering current energy and infrastructure costs. Additionally, E-trucks powered by renewable energy could cut CO₂ emissions by up to 100% when compared to internal combustion engine trucks, which emit approximately 6kg of CO₂ per tonne of cement transported over a 100km range.

Madhavkrishna Singhania, chairman of Green Cementech 2024 and deputy managing director and CEO of JK Cement said "Despite challenges such as higher cost of ownership, longer payback periods, and limited charging infrastructure, the cement sector has shown leadership by deploying EVs for material handling and dispatch operations, even on lead distance routes exceeding 100km."

Taiwan: Taiwan Cement has changed its English name to TCC Group Holdings, marking a shift in its business strategy and geographical expansion. The renaming, approved at the annual general meeting in Taipei, reflects the company’s evolution beyond raw materials supply into sectors like low-carbon building materials, resource recycling, green energy and electric vehicle batteries.

Nelson An-ping Chang, chairman and CEO, said "TCC is already not just an abbreviation of Taiwan Cement Corp. TCC is also a 'Total Climate Commitment' and a 'Total Care Commitment,' showing concern for mankind."

Croatia: Luka Ploce has acquired Zagreb-based New Concrete Technologies for €3m. The acquisition was formally reported to the Croatian Financial Services Supervision Agency (HANFA). New Concrete Technologies specialises in cement mixing, testing and grading.

The company said “This strategic acquisition aligns with Luka Ploce's goals to consolidate its cement infrastructure and expand into new markets, enhancing its capabilities in cement and technical waterway maintenance sectors.”

France: Holcim has committed €200m over the past three years to decarbonise its French manufacturing sites. This initiative is part of a roadmap signed with the French government in November 2023, aiming to reduce CO₂ emissions by over 50% by 2030 and 95% by 2050 compared to 2015 levels.

At the 7th Choose France summit on 13 May 2024, Holcim announced an additional investment of €64m for developing new technological and industrial platforms across its seven French plants located in Saint-Pierre-la-Cour, Martres-Tolosane, Port-la-Nouvelle, Val d'Azergues, Le Teil, Altkirch and La Malle. These platforms, set to be operational between 2025 and 2026, will focus on CO₂ capture technology (€9m at Martres Tolosane), integration of construction waste in cement processes (€24m across all plants), and the use of biomass waste fuels (€13m at Saint-Pierre-la-Cour, €11m at Martres-Tolosane, and €1m at Port-la-Nouvelle). An additional €6m will be allocated to recycling and transformation platforms for construction waste in five urban areas: Laval, Le Havre, Martres-Tolosane, Orange and Lyon.

These investments are expected to reduce Holcim's CO₂ emissions in France by over 120,000t/yr and create more than 40 jobs.