Yemen: Local authorities in Hadramout have inaugurated the country’s first solar facility at Arabian Yemen Cement’s cement plant, a US$11m project aimed at reducing dependence on fossil fuels and stabilising electricity supply. The facility integrates solar energy into cement production, with a system designed to manage the high loads required by crushers, mills and kilns, enabling uninterrupted operations. Officials described the project as a breakthrough for Yemen, which has struggled with energy shortages and rising fuel prices.

See the December issue of Global Cement magazine for more information on this story.

Bangladesh: The Coast Guard arrested nine suspected smugglers and seized 450 bags of cement during an operation southeast of Cheradia. The cement, valued at around US$2000, was allegedly being transported to Myanmar to evade customs duties and taxes. Coast Guard Siam-ul-Haq intercepted a ‘suspicious’ fishing trawler at around 9:00am local time, according to local press, resulting in the arrests and seizure of the vessel and goods.

Syria: The General Company for the Manufacturing and Marketing of Cement and Building Materials (Omran) has held talks with an investment delegation from China’s BITEC on expanding technical, commercial and investment cooperation in the cement and construction materials sector. The meeting addressed upgrading production lines, improving operational efficiency and supporting national reconstruction.

Omran director general Mahmoud Fadila outlined the cement industry’s current state, future development plans, investment opportunities and sector challenges. The BITEC delegation reportedly expressed interest in expanding its presence in Syria and offering technology and industrial support to increase output.

Indonesia: Cement sales fell by 2.5% year-on-year to 51.9Mt between January and October 2025, amid a reduction in the national IKN capital city construction budget to US$889m. Cement production also saw a decline of 6%, reaching 52.9Mt. The Indonesian Cement Association (ASI) said weakening demand occurred in Kalimantan, where sales dropped by 828,356t to 3.88Mt, and Java, where sales fell by 556,468t to 27.1Mt.

Secretary general Ari Wirawan said “Domestic cement sales from January to October 2025 continue to show a negative trend, affecting nearly all regions with a 2.5% decrease compared to the same period in 2024.”

Sales in Sumatra and Nusa Tenggara rose by 2% and 3% respectively due to toll road and tourism infrastructure projects. Exports rose by over 20% to 1.11Mt, with shipments going to Bangladesh, Taiwan, Australia, Timor Leste and Sri Lanka. Production dropped by 6% to 52.9Mt, with utilisation reaching 53%.

ASI chair Lilik Unggul Raharjo said a proposed increase in the home renovation programme budget to US$2.6bn could lift annual cement consumption by 6.2Mt. He said “A 4Mt increase in demand is admittedly somewhat optimistic. Nevertheless, our fervent hope is that the increased budget for home renovations will indeed come to fruition.”