Global Cement News

Egypt: Misr Cement Group has announced an increase in its financial performance for 2024, reporting a net profit of US$5.4m. This represents a 136% increase year-on-year compared to 2023, when it made just US$2.3m. The company said that its growth underscored its successful cost optimisation, operational efficiency and market expansion policies, despite economic challenges.

Hassan Gabry, managing director and CEO of Misr Cement Group, said “The significant profit increase is a testament to the strength of our strategies and the efficiency of our management. We remain committed to expanding both locally and internationally while reinforcing our leadership in the cement industry across the region.”

Australia/Europe: The European Commission (EC) has approved a deal that will see Heidelberg Materials and Holcim acquire joint control of Australian business BGC Cementitious via their joint venture Cement Australia. BGC Cementitious, the cementitious division of the Buckeridge Group of Companies, is active in the cement, concrete, quarrying, asphalt and transportation sectors. The EC concluded that the planned deal would not hurt competition given the limited impact on the European Economic Area. The transaction includes, among others, the Kwinana Cement plant in Western Australia. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Spain: Cement consumption grew by 8.6% year-on-year across Spain in February 2025 to reach 1.27Mt, around 0.1Mt more than in February 2024, according to the latest data published by the national cement association Oficemen. In the cumulative figures for the first two months of 2025, consumption was 2.4Mt, 0.2Mt (9.4%) higher than the equivalent figures for 2024. Rolling year-on-year data - covering March 2024 to February 2025 - showed consumption of 15.1Mt, a 4.4% increase compared to the year earlier period.

Aniceto Zaragoza, CEO of Oficemen, said “Although it is still early to make assessments, it is significant to note that February 2025 was the highest cement consumption month since 2011. This confirms a certain continuity in the positive trend we experienced at the end of 2024 and which we expected to continue in 2025.”

Cement exports from Spain fell by 15.3% in February 2025 to 0.31Mt, 55,627t less than in February 2024. In rolling year figures, exports fell by 5.1% over the 12-month period, to reach 4.8Mt.

Burkina Faso: Ibrahim Traoré, the President of Burkina Faso, inaugurated the Sino-Burkinabè Industrial Cement Company (CISINOB) in Laongo, Ziniaré on 20 March 2025. The grinding plant has a capacity of 0.75Mt/yr and cost US$43m. The unit will be expanded in a second later stage to reach a capacity of 1.2Mt/yr.

Vietnam: Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has given in-principle approval for a port project at Long Son My Xuan in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. The US$102m plan includes a 2.3Mt/yr cement grinding plant, according to the Saigon Times Daily newspaper. A 270m-long berth for ships up to 30,000dwt and four 530m berths for vessels up to 7500dwt will also be added.

The People’s Committee of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province has been assigned to allocate land to the investor in accordance with the approved land use planning, land use plan, and port development master plan, ensuring compliance with land regulations.