Germany: The FEhS Building Materials Institute has published a report on the Save CO₂ project investigating the suitability of electric hot metal slag (EHMS) from hydrogen-based direct reduction steelmaking for use in cement production. The project aims to establish whether EHMS might replace conventional ground granulated blast furnace slag. Laboratory and large-scale trials showed that EHMS achieves glass contents close to 100% and achieved comparable 91-day compressive strengths to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and other slag cements in a 50% blend. Lifecycle assessments indicated a 35% reduction in CO₂ emissions, subject to renewable energy supply. The German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space funded the research.

FEhS Building Materials Institute says that the next steps will be to secure REACH registration and standardisation, ahead of eventually building a large-scale plant at a Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe site.

Japan: UK-based Silchester International Investors has reduced its stake in Sumitomo Osaka Cement by 1.1%. Reuters has reported that the hedge fund management company previously held 19.4% of shares, and now holds 18.3%.

Turkmenistan: The upcoming state-owned 1Mt/yr Baharden II cement plant in Ahal Region is on track for commissioning later in 2026, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan has reported.

President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov said "I am firmly confident that the industrialists of our independent, neutral fatherland will continue to work selflessly in the future to transform the country into an ever more developed state, uninterruptedly supplying construction sites and the population with high-quality construction products, making a worthy contribution to strengthening the potential of the national economy."

The existing 1Mt/yr Baharden I cement plant doubled its six-month cement production year-on-year in 2026-to-date, to 419,000t.

Armenia: The Prosecutor General's Office has filed a lawsuit in defence of state interests over ‘violations’ during the privatisation of Ararat Cement, Emerging Market Watch News has reported. The plant is owned by Gagik Tsarukyan, president of Multi Group.

Tsarukyan will reportedly take legal action in response.

Global Cement News reported the planned nationalisation of Ararat Cement on 21 May 2026.