Kenya: At least 99kg of heroin and cocaine worth US$2.3m were destroyed at the Bamburi Cement Mombasa plant, at the request of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Kenya, according to a social media post from the company. Bamburi Cement’s kiln was selected as the most secure method for incinerating the seized narcotics.

“Our kilns co-process waste and convert it into energy, reducing CO₂ emissions and supporting a clean circular economy. We are proud to contribute to this public interest solution that has eliminated a threat posed to our fellow Kenyans,” said Sustainability & Geocycle Director Jane Wangari.

Bamburi Cement has previously collaborated with multi-agency teams to dispose of over 5000t of hazardous waste imported into the country at its Mombasa facility.

Burkina Faso: Freight forwarder Fracht Group has delivered cement plant equipment to a new plant being built in Burkina Faso. It delivered a cement mill shell weighing 76t, which was transported alongside an additional 1024t worth of accessories.

Switzerland: Holcim has announced its 2024 financial results, reporting record performance with full-year net sales of €28.2bn and an operating profit of €4.9bn. The company increased its use of recycled construction demolition materials by 20% to 10.2Mt. The planned listing of its North American business remains on track for completion by the end of the first half of 2025.

Holcim's net sales in the cement sector reached €14bn. In North America, net sales were €6.8bn despite challenging market conditions. Latin America achieved its 18th consecutive quarter of profitable growth, with net sales of €3bn. During the year, there were four acquisitions to enter the new market of Peru and expand operations in Mexico and Guatemala. The Asia, Middle East and Africa region reported net sales of €3.85bn, driven by growth in Australia and North Africa, alongside four divestments completed in 2024. The Solutions and Products sector continued its profitable growth, with net sales of €6.3bn, primarily due to increased sales of its advanced roofing systems. Sustainable building solutions contributed to profitable growth in Europe, with net sales of €7.7bn

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Holcim's net sales were €6.9bn, a 1.6% increase compared to the same period in 2023. The company remains optimistic about 2025, with a strong outlook across all business segments.

Nigeria: Lafarge Africa reported a profit after tax of US$67m for the 2024 financial year, up by 96% from the US$34.3m recorded in 2023. The cement producer saw its sales rise by 72% to US$468m in 2024 from US$272m in the previous year. According to its audited financial statements filed on the Nigeria Exchange, Lafarge Africa's performance was driven by higher sales volume and improved pricing strategies, despite prevailing macroeconomic challenges.

The company's gross profit rose by 68% to US$233m from US$139m in 2023. Its operating profit stood at US$130m, up by 89% from the US$68.6m recorded in 2023.

Libya: The Libya Africa Investment Portfolio (LAIP) reported that its Misrata cement plant project will move forward, following the committee’s eighth meeting, reports the Libya Herald. The project aims to produce 2Mt/yr in the first phase, rising to 4Mt/yr in the second phase in order to satisfy the demands of the local market, according to economic feasibility studies prepared for the project. The meeting confirmed that the quantity of raw materials is sufficient to operate the plant for at least 50 years. The project has been suspended since 2012, with completion at around 32%. China-based Sinoma Yuhan will construct the plant.

Guyana: Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has received complaints about ‘delinquent’ cement suppliers, stating that the government will sanction any errant supplier, reports News Room Guyana.

Contractors engaged in road works along the East Bank of Demerara complained of challenges with cement suppliers. These suppliers were reportedly providing smaller quantities of cement and cement with lower-than-needed compressive strength.

The vice president noted that the Ministry of Public Works has been engaged on the matter and will issue a warning to suppliers soon, stating that, if the claims were true, the suppliers would lose the right to supply cement for government projects.

The situation comes amid the government's major infrastructure plan for the country. The ‘largest ever expansion’ of infrastructure is unfolding in Guyana under the current administration, although there have reportedly been some implementation challenges.

Ireland: CRH recorded a 2% year-on-year increase in sales to US$35.6bn in 2024, with net income rising by 15% to US$3.5bn during the period. The producer's earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 12% year-on-year to US$6.9bn.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the company's sales rose by 2% year-on-year to US$8.9bn, while its net income increased by 24% to US$700m and its EBITDA by 12% to US$1.8bn.

CRH invested US$5bn in mergers and acquisitions during 2024. It maintains a positive outlook for the 2025 financial year, forecasting a net income of US$3.7 – US$4.1bn and an EBITDA of US$7.3 – US$7.7bn.

Spain: Molins has recorded a 22% year-on-year rise in net profit to €184m in 2024, despite market slowdowns and political instability in some regions.

Molins’ revenues grew by 1% year-on-year to €1.37bn in 2024, as price increases offset volume declines and currency effects. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 6% to €356m, with its operations in Europe, South America and North Africa showing growth. Mexico reportedly remains its largest contributor to results. The company increased investments by 31% to €98m, with 70% going to sustainability, digitisation and efficiency improvements.

Bangladesh: Chhatak Cement Factory has ceased production due to severe gas and limestone shortages, despite a modernisation project having reached 91% completion.

The Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) began a US$54.7m project to convert the plant’s production process from wet to dry in 2016, in order to increase capacity to 1500t/day (0.45Mt/yr). The project cost rose to US$116m, with US$68m spent by November 2024. However, the plant remains idle despite the completion of construction works over a year ago, due to the lack of a new gas pipeline and ropeway to import limestone from India. This ropeway was supposed to transport limestone from the Komorrah Limestone Mining Company in Meghalaya.

The project's committee has proposed extending the deadline to June 2026 and allocating an additional US$25m for a 43km gas pipeline from Sylhet to Chhatak. Trial runs are now being conducted every 15 days in order to prevent the plant’s machinery from rusting.

Project director Abdur Rahman Badsha said that the Chinese contractor responsible for the ropeway construction, Nanjing C-Hope Cement Engineering Group, is awaiting a subcontracting agreement with KLMC to begin work in India.

Peru: Cemento Yura has launched a premium white cement, designed to meet the increasing demand for architectural and decorative applications. The producer has a production capacity of 300,000t/yr, ensuring stable supply to domestic and export markets.

Technical manager of research and development Bruno Bertolotti said "This launch is the result of extensive research and innovation. Our goal is to provide our customers with a high-performance product that ensures unparalleled reliability and results."