India: Cement manufacturers in India are likely to witness a sharp decline in profitability in the current 2027 financial year (FY2027), as elevated energy costs weigh on margins, according to a report by Crisil Intelligence. The report estimates that operating margins of companies in the sector will contract by 150-200 basis points (bps) year-on-year to 16-18% in FY2027, reversing the 260-280 bps increase seen in the previous year.

The decline is primarily attributed to a surge in energy prices triggered by geopolitical tensions in West Asia, which have significantly increased power and fuel expenses, a key cost component accounting for 26-28% of the sector’s costs. Crisil noted that power and fuel costs are expected to rise by 10-12% year-on-year, driven by higher prices of crude oil, petcoke, and thermal coal.

Brent crude prices surged sharply in recent months and are projected to remain elevated and volatile, averaging US$82-87/barrel over the course of FY2027. Additionally, industrial diesel prices rose by around 25% month-on-month in March 2026, adding further pressure through higher logistics and raw material procurement costs.

"Geopolitical disruptions will intensify cost pressures for cement makers in the first half of FY2027. A surge in energy prices, along with moderate increases in raw material and freight costs, will push total costs up by 4-6%," said Sehul Bhatt, Director, Crisil Intelligence.

France: Low-carbon cement producer Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies has announced that it has strengthened its partnership with Groupe Angevin through a new agreement with its subsidiary Angevin Île-de-France. The collaboration, focused on structural works in the Île-de-France region, will build on an initial partnership launched in September 2025 with other Angevin subsidiaries in western France. The agreement includes multi-year volume commitments and expands the application of the companies’ collaboration in structural construction.

Groupe Angevin, a family-owned construction group founded in 1936 that has operated for nearly 90 years, is active across western France and the Île-de-France region, delivering projects across industrial, civil engineering, housing and renewable energy segments. The group operates through an integrated network of subsidiaries enabling end-to-end project execution.

Bolivia: Congressman Juan Cruz has requested reports on the operations of the Public Production Company Cementos de Bolivia (Ecebol) due to a cement shortage in Oruro, where the company operates a cement plant. In an interview, Cruz asked “Why is there a shortage, and why isn’t there cement for Oruro? Cement is only arriving from other departments and even from another country. The public is asking: what has happened to the cement plant? I’m going to request that information and I’d also like to visit the Ecebol plant again.”

Regarding a recently presented list of state-owned companies operating at a loss, which includes Ecebol, the congressman suggested that the government could be making Ecebol appear unprofitable in order to sell it ‘for a song.’ From his perspective, this should not happen; rather, the company should be revitalised and continue to be monitored to ensure its proper operation.

India: Ambuja Cements has completed its amalgamation of Penna Cement Industries, effective 10 April 2026. The Globe and Mail newspaper has reported that Penna Cement Industries stands dissolved without being wound up, with equity shareholders to receive a cash consideration.