Kazakhstan: Steppe Cement’s cement sales volumes rose by 25% year-on-year, to 344,000t, in the first quarter of 2026. This generated US$19.5m in sales revenues, up by 54% year-on-year, following a 21% rise in the price-per-tonne of its cement, to US$57/t.
Steppe Cement’s domestic market share rose to 16%, compared to 13.5% in the first quarter of 2025. Alliance News has reported that the company forecast full-year cement consumption in Kazakhstan of 14.5Mt in 2026, in line with 2025 levels.
US: Taiheiyo Cement subsidiary CalPortland laid off 53 employees at its Redding cement plant in California on 10 April 2026, effective 15 June 2026. It described the measure as a ‘temporary reduction of staff’ amidst declining local cement demand. Nonetheless, the plant will continue to operate at full capacity for the time being.
CalPortland president Bill Mullen said "This was a difficult decision and we recognise the impact it has on our employees and their families. We are committed to supporting our affected employees during this period and will provide resources to assist them through the transition."
India: Adani Group announced a new upcoming US$225m cement plant near Cuttack, Odisha, on 7 April 2026. One India News has reported that the move is part of US$3.53bn-worth of new Adani Group investments in Odisha, which also include a US$3.23bn thermal power plant.
US: US Representative for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District Ryan Mackenzie has written to President Donald Trump to request an executive order to designate cement as a Critical National Security Material. This would prioritise domestically produced cement in federal procurement and require agencies to review regulations hindering domestic production, including restrictions on alternative fuel (AF) use.
Mackenzie’s district includes the cement-producing Lehigh Valley metropolitan region, where Amrize, Heidelberg Materials and Titan all operate plants. Meanwhile, supplier Fuller Technologies is also headquartered there, following a June 2025 acquisition by Pacific Avenue Capital. Local press has reported that producers face a ‘drag’ on residential and commercial construction due to high interest rates, partly offset by data centres and warehouse construction activity.
Heidelberg Materials North America senior vice president for sustainability and public affairs David Perkins said "Over the last several years, it has become increasingly difficult to expand and to add additional production capacity in the US. Permitting has been a significant inhibitor for additional capacity investment.” Perkins added “We are looking at this year with some caution, but there are some glimmers of optimism. There's so much volatility on the political front that it's very difficult to see what that's going to look like."
