EU: Cement Europe has published updated environmental product declarations (EPDs) for CEM I, CEM II and CEM III under the amended European standard EN 15804+A2. The new EPDs replace the 2020 versions and cover the ‘cradle-to-gate’ life stages of cement production. Cement Europe first published a European EPD for CEM I in 2008, which was updated in 2015 and expanded in 2020 to include CEM II and CEM III. The latest update aligns with European standards and policy objectives for a more sustainable built environment.

CEO Koen Coppenholle said “The EU cement industry remains fully supportive of CEN/TC 350’s Environmental Product Declaration framework, which provides quantified and transparent environmental data for life cycle analysis at building level. Reliable and harmonised data are essential to enable sustainable procurement, material neutrality and the transition to low-carbon construction.”

Australia: The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has completed its review into whether additional policies are needed to address the issue of carbon leakage in Australia, including the feasibility of a carbon border adjustment mechanism for industries such as cement and steel.

The review was commissioned in November 2023 to evaluate policy options and assess the nature and scale of carbon leakage. It examined 75 trade-exposed commodities under the Safeguard Mechanism, grouped into 42 categories, with a particular focus on steel and cement given their high emissions intensity. It concluded that while the Safeguard Mechanism is effective in the short to medium term, additional targeted measures will likely be required as leakage risks from imports evolve. The report identified a border carbon adjustment as the preferred policy for certain ‘high-risk’ commodities to ensure a level playing field for producers subject to domestic carbon constraints. It said that any mechanism should mirror the Safeguard Mechanism’s scope, avoid export rebates, remove Trade Exposed Baseline Adjustment provisions for covered commodities and be staged, starting with cement and clinker before expanding to ammonia and derivatives, glass, lime and steel. The government will evaluate the recommendations as part of the 2026-27 review of the safeguard mechanism.

US/Ireland: For the fourth quarter of 2025, ending 31 December 2025, CRH reported total revenues of US$9.4bn, up by 6% year-on-year. Net income was US$1.0bn during the period, which represents a significant 46% year-on-year increase from the previous corresponding quarter. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were US$2.0bn, up by 14% year-on-year.

In the full 2025 financial year, CRH reported total revenues of US$37.4bn, up by 5% from US$35.6bn in 2024, reportedly driven by favourable demand and acquisitions. Net income was US$3.8bn, up by 8% from US$3.5bn in 2024. Adjusted EBITDA was US$7.7bn, up by 11% from US$6.9bn in 2024.

CEO Jim Mintern said “2025 proved to be a year of significant progress for CRH, with double-digit adjusted EBITDA growth, delivering another record performance and reinforcing our position as the leading compounder of capital in our industry. We enter 2026 with confidence and expect favourable end-market dynamics as well as the continued execution of our superior strategy to underpin another year of growth and value creation for our shareholders.”

Pakistan: Fauji Cement (FCCL) and Kot Addu Power (KAPCO) will launch a public offer to acquire up to 7.97% of ordinary shares in Attock Cement (ACPL) at US$1.18 per share, following their agreement on 30 January 2026 to purchase an 84.06% stake in ACPL from parent company Pharaon Investment Group Holding. The public offer will run from 6-12 April 2026, with total potential investment reaching US$12.9m, assuming full acceptance. AKD Securities Limited said the acquisition will be financed through cash, with the companies’ total investment, including the public offer, reaching approximately US$74.7m. FCCL and KAPCO hold cash reserves of US$68m and US$135m respectively.