Brazil: The Brazilian cement industry recorded sales of 15.6Mt in the first quarter of 2025, up by 6% year-on-year, according to the National Cement Industry Union (SNIC). Sales in March 2025 reached 5.3Mt, up by 5% year-on-year. The result was attributed to the continued growth of the labour market and of the population, in addition to a declining unemployment rate. However, SNIC stated that ‘uncertainties’ stemming from the US are likely to be reflected in global inflation and production costs. It projects growth of 1-1.5% for 2025.

SNIC president Paulo Camillo Penna said “In 2024, the industry recovered the losses of 2022 and 2023, closing the year with 4% growth. Projections for the first half of 2025 remain positive, but economic instability marked by the increase in interest rates, personal debt, high inflation and tax issues should reduce the sector's gains in the second half of 2025.”

Spain: Holcim, IGNIS P2X and Exolum have launched Eco2fly, a project to convert industrial CO₂ emissions into sustainable aviation fuel at Holcim’s Villaluenga de la Sagra plant in Toledo. The facility will capture over 700,000t/yr of CO₂ from the plant’s cement production process and convert it into 100,000t/yr of sustainable aviation fuel using ‘green’ hydrogen. The remaining CO₂ will be stored in geological repositories. Over its first 10 years, the project will reportedly avoid more than 6.5Mt of CO₂ emissions.

UK: Heidelberg Materials UK has secured planning permission to build a carbon capture plant at its Padeswood cement works in north Wales. The facility will capture up to 800,000t/yr of CO₂ for storage via the HyNet North West pipeline under Liverpool Bay.

The project is expected to create around 50 new full-time jobs, and up to 500 additional jobs during construction. Once operational, the Padeswood facility will capture ‘almost all’ of the CO₂ produced at the cement works and enable the production of evoZero cement by 2029.

Sweden: Cemvision and S:t Eriks have entered into a partnership agreement as a result of several pilot projects using Cemvision’s cement in S:t Eriks’ production. The partners have signed a letter of intent to develop and implement sustainable concrete solutions within water and sewage infrastructure. Having already tested Cemvision’s cement in its own production, S:t Eriks will then implement the cement in commercial projects. The product reportedly offers high resistance to sulphate and acid attacks, which contribute to longer service life.

In the coming months, Cemvision and S:t Eriks will continue testing to explore the potential for broader implementation of the cement in water and sewage systems.