Star Cement to set up US$367m plant in Assam
India: Star Cement will build a US$367m integrated cement plant in Assam.
The producer signed a memorandum of understanding with the state government on 26 February 2025, the final day of the Advantage Assam business summit. The summit attracted 164 investment proposals across 15 sectors on its opening day.
India: UltraTech Cement's board has approved the separation of Kesoram Industries' cement business, effective from 1 March 2025. Under this plan, Kesoram Industries cement business will join UltraTech Cement.
The producer will issue one equity share of US$0.11 for every 52 Kesoram Industries shares. The merger will increase UltraTech Cement's production capacity by 7Mt/yr. The companies' boards first approved the merger on 30 November 2023, with the demerger previously scheduled for November 2024.
Holcim México mitigates 1.7Mt of CO₂ emissions in 2024
Mexico: Holcim México has mitigated 1.7Mt of CO₂ emissions in housing and infrastructure projects throughout the country in 2024, according to a press release, through its ECOPact, ECOPlanet and ECOCycle sustainable products.
Holcim’s ECOPact low-carbon concrete reduces CO₂ emissions by at least 30% and represents 15% of its concrete sales, with a target of 27% by 2027. Its ECOPlanet cement range reduces CO₂ emissions by 35-65% relative to traditional blends and accounts for 56% of cement sales, with a target of 77% by 2027. ECOCycle technology incorporates recycled construction and demolition materials into concrete for non-structural applications like pavements.
Lebap cement plant production up by 72% in January 2025
Turkmenistan: Lebap cement plant produced 112,000t of cement in January 2025, up by 72% year-on-year, according to Trend.
The producer said that it has implemented ‘modern technologies’ to ensure a steady supply of cement for construction, and uses local raw materials to decrease prices. It reportedly exported 108,000t of cement to Uzbekistan in 2023.
India: Prism Johnson recorded a 4% year-on-year decline in its nine-month sales, from US$632m in its 2024 financial year to US$607m in its 2025 financial year. Its net loss was US$8.6m, compared to a US$22m profit in the previous financial year.
Dalmia Cement (Bharat) to expand Mylavaram cement plant
India: Dalmia Cement (Bharat) plans to expand its cement plant in Mylavaram, Andhra Pradesh. The producer will invest US$321m to to more than double the plant’s clinker capacity from 4.6Mt/yr to 12.6Mt/yr, its cement grinding capacity from 2.6Mt/yr to 7.6Mt/yr and its waste heat recovery capacity from 12MW to 28MW.
The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board will hold a public hearing on 27 March 2025 over the plans, the New Indian Express newspaper has reported. Local residents have raised allegedly ‘unaddressed’ issues, including disruptions to watercourses, increased dust pollution and possible structural damage from increased blasting.
Cemex reportedly contemplating sale of Colombian business
Colombia: Cemex is ‘exploring’ the possible sale of its business in Colombia, Bloomberg has reported.
Cemex previously delisted Spain-based Cemex Latam Holdings from the Colombian Stock Exchange in 2023.
Adani to invest in Assam and Madhya Pradesh
India: The Adani Group has launched new investment plans in the states of Assam and Madhya Pradesh, including in their cement sectors. Chair Gautam Adani says that the group will invest US$5.73bn in Assam and US$12.6bn in Madhya Pradesh. The Business Standard newspaper has reported that the latter investment will generate over 100,000 new jobs and involve the construction of a new smart city.
JSW Group investigates possible cement investments in Assam
India: JSW Group is actively seeking investment opportunities in Assam’s cement sector. Besides cement production, the group is reportedly investigating power plant opportunities in the state.
The Business Standard newspaper has reported that JSW Group Chair Sajjan Jindal noted the strategic importance of North East India as one half of a ‘dual-engine’ Indian economy.
Ultracem sells some of Honduras assets for US$56m
Honduras: Ultracem has announced that, through its subsidiary Ultracem Centroamérica, it is selling some of its assets in Honduras. The transaction involved the indirect sale of Duracem Honduras shares to Blackriver Overseas for US$56m.
The producer completed the sale on 20 February 2025, after fulfilling the conditions of the purchase agreement. It stated that the sale is “part of Ultracem's corporate strategy to focus its business on cement and concrete production activities in Colombia.”