Germany: The University of Trier is transforming post-consumer materials into ‘ecological’ cement through a new research project that aims to find sustainable alternatives for the construction industry. The project involves using low-CO₂ industrial post-consumer materials as alternative cement binders, such as sludge from gravel and sand mining, as well as dust from quartzite extraction. The research will run for two years and is supported by the German Federal Environment Foundation.

India: UltraTech Cement, a subsidiary of Aditya Birla, has purchased a 33% stake in India Cements for US$472m. UltraTech now controls a 55% stake and plans to make an open offer for a further 20% at US$4.66 per share. The transaction, subject to regulatory approvals, values India Cements at approximately US$1.39bn and could increase UltraTech's holding to 75.49%, according to The Northlines news.

Tunisia: Votorantim Cimentos has signed an agreement to sell its Tunisian assets to China-based Sinoma Cement for US$130m, according to Yicai Global. The deal's completion depends on regulatory approvals from China, Tunisia and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa).

All of Votorantim Cimentos' plants and offices in Tunisia will continue to operate as usual during the regulatory review.

Nigeria: Dangote Cement has reported its financial results for the first half of 2024. The company recorded a net profit of US$117m, marking a 6% year-on-year increase from US$110m in the first half of 2023. Revenue also saw an increase to US$1bn, up by 85% year-on-year from US$587m. During the period, the company’s production volume was 13.8Mt, representing a 4% increase from the 13.2Mt produced during the first half of 2023. The group also reported a year-on-year increase of 50% in earnings before interest, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of US$411m.

Afghanistan: The National Development Corporation has announced that the production capacity of the Ghori Cement plants in Baghlan has increased to 700t/day from 350t/day previously, according to Bakhtar News Agency. This increase is reportedly due to attention from Islamic Emirate’s officials and the efforts of the National Development Corporation under the country’s new government.

Engineer Shafiullah Wahidi, director of Ghori Cement, revealed that 700 technical staff are working in three shifts to maintain production levels. Local residents and traders are urging further production increases to favour domestic products over foreign imports.

UK: A steel and cement co-recycling process developed at the University of Cambridge has received US$2.9m in seed funding. Cambridge Electric Cement is utilising slag produced during the steelmaking process, which uses electric arc furnaces instead of blast furnaces, as clinker for cement. The researchers are conducting a US$8.4m trial called Cement 2 Zero to test the production process, aiming to produce 110t of recycled cement during the two-year program.

Mexico: Cemex has reported its first-half results for 2024. Net income fell by 15% to US$230m, although earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 2% to US$965m. Sales remained flat at US$4.5bn. They rose in Mexico by 13%, to US$2.7bn, and in Central and South America and the Caribbean by 3%, to US$879m. However, they fell in the US by 2%, to US$2.6bn, and in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia by 8%, to US$2.24bn.

Fernando Gonzalez, CEO of Cemex, said "These results demonstrate the effectiveness of our commercial management and growth strategy. The price contribution of our products continues to outpace our input cost inflation."

France: Vicat’s results for the first half of 2024 showed a turnover of €1.94bn, up by 1.3% compared to the same period in 2023. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the period increased by 12% year-on-year. The group expects 3 – 8% growth in full-year EBITDA in 2024. Despite an unfavourable exchange rate effect, mainly due to the depreciation of the Turkish and Egyptian Pounds against the Euro, consolidated net income rose by 5% year-on-year to €115m.

UK: Breedon Group has announced its results for the six-month period ending on 30 June 2024. The company recorded revenues of US$984m, up by 3% year-on-year from US$956m in the same period in 2023. Net income was US$44m, representing a year-on-year decline of 28%. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) stood at US$133m, slightly less than US$134m reported previously.

Breedon Group anticipates growth in ‘all of its markets’ from 2025 as economic and political landscapes stabilise.

Zimbabwe: Khayah Cement plans to invest approximately US$25m in capital expenditure in 2024, focusing on a kiln refurbishment project at its plant in Harare. The investment aims to increase production capacity and sales volumes, NewsDay Business News has reported. Preparatory work has begun, with completion expected by the end of 2025.

Khayah Cement's CEO, Innocent Chikwata, said that the project will address issues with its current equipment and stabilise the company’s operations by ensuring a reliable supply of raw materials. He noted that the plant's current capacity utilisation rate is 60%, with a target of 70% by the end of 2024.