Canada: Alberta-based CURA Climate has raised US$10m in financing to support its decarbonised cement pilot plant and path to commercialisation, the company said on 17 September 2026. CURA uses electrochemical technology rather than combustion for calcination, powered by renewable energy, which it says can reduce emissions by up to 85%. The technology produces a concentrated CO₂ stream and a low‑carbon calcium product.

Proceeds from the financing will support the construction of CURA’s 100t/yr pilot plant in Taber, Alberta. The funding will also advance engineering works for CURA’s first 30,000t/yr commercial demonstration facility and support the expansion of its team.

"We've made significant progress proving and scaling CURA's electrochemical technology, and this financing allows us to move into the next phase," co-founder and CEO of CURA, Erin Bobicki, said. "Our focus now is on demonstrating that electrifying the core chemical step in cement production can deliver the performance, scale and economics the industry needs."

In addition to using an electrochemical process, CURA said its method is designed to work with a wide range of calcium-rich feedstocks, including lower purity limestone and industrial waste streams.

Ghana: The Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Minister, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, said that the government will work with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine whether operations at Empire Cement pose health risks to residents in the area. She said a scientific assessment by the EPA would be necessary to establish the extent of any pollution linked to the company’s operations. The Minister made the remarks on Friday 18 September 2026, during a visit to the Empire Cement plant.

The visit came two days after the EPA directed Empire Cement to shut down the plant’s operations with immediate effect. The directive followed investigations launched by the EPA after it received several complaints from residents about alleged air pollution and nuisance associated with the company’s activities. According to the EPA, its investigations found sustained visible particulate and gaseous emissions from the facility into the surrounding environment. The regulator also accused the company of failing to submit its quarterly environmental monitoring returns, contrary to the conditions of its environmental permit. The company was directed to submit its outstanding returns by 1 October 2026, and can only resume operations after installing pollution control systems and obtaining written permission from the EPA.

UAE: Ras Al-Khaimah Cement Co (RAKCC) has awarded China-based Sinoma a contract to build two cement silos and conveyors, each with a capacity of 1500t/day. The value of the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract has not yet been revealed. Sinoma’s scope of work on the contract covers the complete production system, from raw materials handling and clinker preparation to cement grinding, storage and shipping.

In its statement, Sinoma said it had built a waste heat power plant to support RAKCC's cement production line, with the unit operating ‘stably and reliably’ since its commissioning in 2016.

“Over the years, the company has continuously provided the owner (RAKCC) with full-cycle operation and maintenance services, including inspection, maintenance and spare parts, earning the owner's full recognition and high praise for its strong technical capabilities and high-quality service,” Sinoma said.

South Africa: The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) is investigating the alleged dumping of cement from Mozambique and Vietnam after complaints from local cement producers Afrimat, Sephaku Cement and InterCement.

They collectively ‘submitted sufficient evidence and established a prima facie case’ to enable ITAC to reach a conclusion, according to local press. The dumping margin for Mozambique was determined to be 90.51%. ITAC determines the dumping margin by comparing the estimated normal price (in the country) with the export price, with the difference between the two, divided by the export price. The dumping margin for Vietnam was determined to be 37.04%.

Local producer PPC reportedly warned previously that it was ‘extremely concerned’ about the rise in imports from Mozambique. CEO Matias Cardarelli told local press in June 2026 that imports from Mozambique had jumped from 50,000t to 300,000t in 2025, and ‘could grow exponentially’ following the acquisition of AfriSam by West China Cement earlier in 2026.