Austria: Cement producer Kirchdorfer Group and Scheuch GmbH have both welcomed the planned lifting of the ban on CO₂ storage in Austria. According to the partners, the defined volume limits will allow for the implementation of initial carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects in the country for the first time, provided that the approval processes move forward quickly.

The partners have explicitly welcomed the proposed new legal framework for the geological storage of CO₂. Following a de-facto ban in place since 2011, the partners say that this creates the legal foundation necessary to implement CCS in Austria. According to them, the initial national upper storage limits proposed offer ‘more than enough scope’ for the pilot phase of CCS, demonstrating that legislators are considering the entire trajectory, from the first facility to large-scale expansion, rather than imposing a static cap on how much CO₂ can be stored.

Success will now depend on implementation; whether CCS gains momentum in Austria or becomes mired in administrative bottlenecks will hinge on the permitting procedures, according to the partners. They are hopeful that the classification of such projects as being of ‘overriding public interest’ will provide the necessary momentum.

Joao Paulo Pereira da Silva, CEO of Kirchdorfer Group, said "As a cement manufacturer, CO₂ storage is not an optional extra but a matter of survival, as there is a portion of our emissions that we simply cannot avoid through technical means." Thomas Rainer of Scheuch added "We have the technology, we have the know-how, and now we finally have the legal framework for CCS as well. This allows Austria to become a pioneer rather than just a bystander. It is crucial that the permitting processes for the initial facilities are streamlined and efficient."

India: The India Cements has entered into an energy supply and share subscription agreement to acquire 3.6% of equity shares of Zenataris Renewable Energy, a company engaged in generation and transmission of renewable energy. The price is an equity investment of approximately US$2.1m and the agreement will complete within 120 days of its execution.

Zenataris is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) established for the development and operation of the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) hybrid renewable energy project at Kudligi, Vijayanagara District, Karnataka. The SPV will supply 11MW of captive renewable energy to The India Cements’ cement plants locally.

Egypt: Heidelberg Materials Egypt has acquired a minority stake in ZeroCarbon, a leading Egyptian decarbonisation company that specialises in waste management and the production of alternative fuels (AF). The producer says that, as one of Egypt’s leading cement companies, the deal will strengthen its access to a ‘reliable and sustainable’ source of AF, while reducing reliance on fossil-derived energy. The investment reinforces Heidelberg Materials Egypt’s commitment to low-carbon building solutions and advances its ambition to increase the share of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) beyond 30% of its total AF consumption.

“Decarbonisation is not only about reducing emissions: it is about transforming the way resources are used across our industry,” said Heidelberg Materials Egypt CEO Mohamed Hegazy.

US: Ozinga celebrated the opening of its new slag-based low-carbon cement mill in East Chicago, Indiana, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on 13 October 2026. It said that the mill would strengthen the domestic supply chain for building materials, promoting Midwestern construction and advancing innovation in US infrastructure. The plant will produce 1Mt/yr of ASTM C989-compliant slag cement, as well as proprietary blends under Ozinga's CarbonSense brand, reportedly delivering up to 80% reductions in embodied carbon over traditional Portland cement mixes. Once fully operational, the plant is projected to offset more than 0.7Mt/yr of CO₂ emissions.

"We built this mill in the heart of the Midwest because we believe it is central to producing high-performing, American-made materials that will be the foundation of US infrastructure for years to come," said CEO Marty Ozinga. "We are taking the cement-to-concrete process from start to finish - with American ownership at every step of the domestic supply chain, with homegrown scientific innovation and with American workers all the way. Our message to the market is clear: We have new domestic capacity to meet your needs for reliable, sustainable and cost-effective materials.”

Ozinga's private investment in the project was supported by state, federal and local public officials, including the East Chicago City Council.  On-site water access and rail transportation will be key factors that will help to lower the total embodied carbon impact of the product. At full operation, the plant will create approximately 50 permanent union jobs between the mill and Ozinga's Burns Harbour operation at the site of the Cleveland Cliffs steel mill, where the slag is initially processed.