France: Holcim has launched the sector’s first industrial-scale carbon capture test platform in Martres-Tolosane, France, to enable field testing and validation of technologies alongside third-party partners. Developed by Holcim’s research and development teams in Switzerland and France, CaptureLab enables Holcim, as well as manufacturers, startups and researchers, to test breakthrough carbon capture technologies and adapt them to cement manufacturing. The 2500m² platform is capable of analysing and processing CO₂ and other emissions from the cement industry. Its ‘plug-and-play’ architecture accommodates different carbon capture systems that can be connected to Holcim’s Martres-Tolosane plant.

Ram Muthu, Head of Group Operational Excellence, said “With CaptureLab, Holcim has built a unique facility to test and scale the most advanced carbon capture technologies through an agile, open innovation model with our valued partners. Validated technologies will be used at Holcim’s own sites, advancing our industry-shaping decarbonisation roadmap and contributing to the production of ‘near-zero’ cement. CaptureLab will advance our vision to be the leading partner for sustainable construction.”

For CaptureLab’s launch, Holcim is operating the platform while the first pilot project is being conducted by Air Liquide using its Cryocap proprietary technology. CaptureLab will allow Holcim’s partners to test and validate current or next-generation technologies – such as cryogenic treatment, chemical absorption, physical adsorption, membrane separation or biological processes – in real-world conditions and at scale.

Brazil: Cement sales in Brazil fell by 1% year-on-year to 5.7Mt in May 2026, according to the latest statistics from the National Cement Industry Union (SNIC). Accumulated sales in the first five months of 2026 rose by 1% year-on-year. Sales continue to be supported by the labour market and the real estate market, driven by the Minha Casa, Minha Vida housing programme. However, the industry is facing high interest rates, inflation and cost pressures from the instability in the Middle East.

In the real estate market, sales rose by 4% in the first quarter of 2026. Confidence in the construction sector remained stable in May 2026, although the building segment showed more pessimism in the face of labour shortages and cost pressures. 

SNIC president Paulo Camillo Penna said "The sector is experiencing mixed signals. On the one hand, it is undeniable that the strengthening of the labour market and updates to housing programmes are cornerstones for positive results. However, we are dealing with a negative scenario of a smaller drop in the interest rate and high inflation, accentuated by instability in the Middle East. Furthermore, the industry is closely monitoring the vote on the bill that proposes ending the 6x1 work schedule, since this possible labour change has the potential to significantly increase the industry's operating costs."

Spain: Cemex has sold over one million zero waste cement bags in the Balearic Islands, Spain, according to a press release from 9 June 2026. Introduced to local markets in late 2023, the bags are designed to dissolve completely during the mixing process, without generating waste or affecting the technical performance of the cement. The solution has helped prevent over one million bags from being treated or disposed of in landfill so far.

The zero waste bags contain Cemex’s Vertua® Supremo cements, which offer at least a 55% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to conventional cements. The reductions are calculated using CEM I cement manufactured in 2000 as a baseline, with a value of 0.822t of CO₂ per tonne of cement, according to the criteria accepted by the Global Cement & Concrete Association (GCCA).

India: Sagar Cements announced that its subsidiary, Sagar Cements Pvt Ltd, has commissioned an additional cement grinding capacity of 0.5Mt/yr at its plant in Jeerabad, Madhya Pradesh. The unit has commenced commercial operations and SCMPL's total cement grinding capacity now stands at 1.5Mt/yr. Sagar Cements’ total capacity is now 11Mt/yr.