India: Oyster Renewable Energy and Dalmia Cement (Bharat) have announced a plan to set up a 31.6MW hybrid renewable energy project in Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh. Costing around US$28m, the project integrates 21.6MW of wind and 10MW of solar capacity, according to a statement. Dalmia Cement said that the project will ensure a more stable and balanced renewable energy profile for the company, with commissioning expected in 2027.

“This 31.6 MW hybrid power project will reduce CO₂ emissions by nearly 70,000t/yr, directly strengthening our plant-level carbon efficiency and sustainability metrics,” said Dharmender Tuteja, Chief Financial Officer of Dalmia Cement (Bharat)’s parent company Dalmia Bharat.

The company added that the project will incorporate local workforce participation and regional supply chain engagement, to ensure that its investment in clean energy infrastructure will also generate lasting economic value for rural communities.

Vietnam: An Giang Province has granted investment policy approvals and investment certificates to 19 ventures with a total investment of U$2.58bn. The event took place as part of a conference to announce An Giang's Master Plan and Investment Promotion, according to Viet Nam News.

Alongside real estate and tourism projects are industrial investments, which include a US$223m cement plant to be built by Ha Tien Kien Giang Cement, part of Tan A Dai Thanh Group, in Ha Tien Kien Giang. Thailand's Siam City Cement has separately been granted permission to develop the Hon Chong cement plant in the town of the same name. This project is reportedly valued at US$420m. Permission was also granted for the development of a US$60m solar power plant by Sao Mai Group.

Ho Van Mung, Chair of the An Giang Province’s People's Committee, said “An Giang considers the success of businesses as the success of the province. The effectiveness of investors is the driving force for local growth. An Giang is committed to supporting and creating the most favourable conditions regarding administrative procedures, land, site clearance, meeting human resource needs, and ensuring absolute security and safety of assets.”

Zimbabwe: PPC has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Sinoma Overseas Development to collaborate on efficiency improvements and expansion of its cement and clinker production capacity in Zimbabwe. The agreement provides for the two companies to work together on initiatives to enhance operational efficiencies at PPC Zimbabwe, while also assessing the feasibility of constructing a new integrated cement plant in the country.

PPC’s CEO Matias Cardarelli said the agreement marked an important milestone in the group’s broader turnaround strategy. “Our ‘Awakening the Giant’ turnaround strategy continues to advance across the group,” said Carderelli. “This includes particularly the Zimbabwean operations, where we believe there are additional and significant opportunities to be unlocked internally, together with exciting potential for future growth.” He added that Zimbabwe remained a strategically important market for PPC due to its growth prospects and strengthening construction sector activity.

PPC said any future investment projects in Zimbabwe, including new integrated cement plants, would be assessed under the group’s capital allocation framework and would remain subject to internal and external investment approval processes.

France: Former Lafarge CEO Bruno Lafont and his deputy Christian Herrault, currently in a Paris prison following their convictions for offences relating to payments to terrorist groups by Lafarge Syria in the 2010s, have appealed for release, pending a retrial. A decision on whether they can be released will be made on 26 May 2026, according to France 24.

Due to their appeals, the detention of Lafont and Herrault now falls under the criteria for pretrial detention, which differ from those for a warrant of committal. Appearing via video conference from La Santé prison, Lafont denied that he was a flight risk, despite his considerable financial assets. His lawyer, Jacqueline Laffont, denounced what she called the ‘particularly shocking, striking and violent’ decision against her client, who reportedly went to prison ‘with nothing, without money, without a toothbrush.’
If they are released, Lafont and Herrault will be banned from speaking to each other.