Philippines: A recent study from Cebu, Philippines presents a method for reducing greenhouse emissions in the cement industry. The research, supported by the Department of Science & Technology (DOST) of the Philippines, focuses on partially substituting cement with coal fly ash (CFA). According to the University of San Carlos researchers, CFA's efficacy as a cement substitute depends on its source, with variations in quality, performance, and water requirements when used in paste and mortar formulations.

The study evaluated CFA from a Philippine power plant, examining its use as a partial cement substitute. Researchers designed paste and mortar mixtures with different CFA-to-binder ratios and water-to-binder ratios. The study revealed that increasing the amount of CFA in cement up to 20% by weight could enhance compressive strength, ‘outperforming’ pure cement mixtures.

The study concluded that substituting a portion of cement with CFA not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also improves the compressive strength of the resultant material.

Thailand: Chair of the Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA), Dr Chana Poomee, announced the company’s new strategy, called 'TCMA Synergising the Actions toward Net Zero 2050'. This strategy aims to drive the cement industry towards clean energy transition, connect with global green funds and address climate change.

The vision involves four key missions for 2024-2026, including developing low-carbon cement, enhancing resource-efficient mining practices, building an integrated waste-to-value ecosystem, and transitioning to clean energy.

The TCMA also aims to reduce its CO₂ emissions by 6.9Mt/yr by 2030. Collaborations with various partners, including the Thailand Fellowship Cement Manufacturers and the Thai Bankers Association, are planned to leverage innovation and government policy support.

Uzbekistan: Uzbekistan produced 1.35Mt of cement in January and February 2024. This production volume shows a year-on-year increase of 50%. In February 2024, the country produced 724,700t of cement.

France: Heidelberg Materials has announced plans to close two of its plants in France - Beffes and Villiers-au-Bouin - by October 2025. This move is part of the company's restructuring efforts aimed at accelerating its decarbonisation efforts and focusing more on low-carbon products.

The decision comes amid a decline in cement sales in France, attributed to weak demand in the construction sector. 170 employees are affected by the impending closures of these plants, according to the company.

These closures align with Heidelberg Materials' commitment to focus on lower carbon alternatives, enhance energy efficiency, increase the use of alternative fuels, and reduce the clinker content in its cement products in France.

China:  The UK-based Carbon Disclosure Project Carbon Majors database has released its Carbon Majors Database. The database quantifies the historical CO₂ emissions of 122 of the world's major emitters, among them the Chinese cement sector.

Notably, China's cement industry has been a significant contributor to global emissions. In the period up to the end of 2022, China's cement sector has produced 23,161Mt of CO₂, accounting for 1.3% of the global emissions recorded during this period. From 2016 to 2022, the cement industry in China emitted 8.16Bnt of CO₂, accounting for 3.2% of global emissions.

Figures for the cement sector include process emissions from the calcination of limestone, but exclude emissions from fuel and electricity used in production.

Poland: The Association of Polish Cement Producers has expressed increasing concern over quadrupled year-on-year growth in cement imports from Ukraine, to 330,000t in 2023.

Zbigniew Pilch, the head of the association, highlighted the contrasting rise in imports and 12% fall in domestic production, to 16.6Mt. He said “The scale of imports from Ukraine is growing almost every month, reaching nearly 50% of total imports in January 2024. These volumes are deeply concerning.”

A primary issue raised by the association is the difference in environmental regulations faced by Ukrainian and Polish cement producers. The association argues that Ukrainian producers are not subjected to as rigorous climate policies as Polish producers, leading to an uneven playing field. Additionally, the localised nature of the cement market means eastern Polish producers are particularly affected by the ‘influx’ of Ukrainian cement.

US: Holcim US has announced an investment of US$20.5m in its Midwest operations. A key component of the investment is the new 35m-high cement storage dome in Fremont, Nebraska, which will increase its production capacity of ECOPlanet low-carbon cement. The dome has the capacity to store 50,000t of cement. Construction of the dome, which began in 2021, has contributed to local economic development and job creation at the terminal.

In line with the Nebraska Department of Transportation's blended cement requirement, the cement blended and distributed at the terminal incorporates natural pozzolan, a binding agent, to produce a lower carbon product compared to ordinary Portland cement.

Kazakhstan: Steppe Cement sold 175,383t of cement for US$8.5m in the first quarter of 2024, down from 214,832t for US$11m in the first quarter of 2023. This represents a year-on-year decline of 18% in volume and 23% in value. Despite the decrease in sales, its production of clinker grew by 25% year-on-year.

Cement sales in Kazakhstan declined by 12% to 1.69Mt in the first quarter of 2024. Exports fell by 6%, mainly due to reduced exports to Uzbekistan. Imports remained level at 4% of domestic demand, with the majority coming from Russia. Steppe Cement anticipates a total market demand of approximately 11Mt in Kazakhstan for 2024, a 5% year-on-year decrease. Rising transport costs and an increased proportion of shipments to southern Kazakhstan resulted in low margins, according to the company.

China: Tangshan Jidong Cement has reported its earnings for the full year ending 31 December 2023. The company's sales fell to US$3.9bn from US$4.8bn, an 18% year-on-year decrease. It recorded a net loss of US$207m, compared to a net income of US$194m a year earlier.

Although managing to grow its cement sales volumes, the company reported heightened competition in the north and north-east of China where most of its plants are located.

India: Ramco Cements has doubled the production capacity at its Jajpur plant in Odisha to 1.8Mt/yr. The company commissioned its Line II on Monday 1 April 2024 and started commercial production, adding 900,000t/yr to the plant's capacity. Additionally, an 18MW thermal power plant in Kolimigundla will be commissioned soon.