10 October 2025

India: The government has notified the Greenhouse Gases Emission Intensity Target Rules, 2025, establishing legally binding reduction targets for 282 industrial units in cement and other heavy industries. The notification was issued by the Ministry of Environment on 8 October 2025 after considering all suggestions and objections received on the draft rules, which were published on 16 April 2025. Facilities must reduce greenhouse gas emissions per tonne of output from 2023–24 baseline levels during the 2025–26 to 2026–27 compliance period.

The rules implement the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022, which supports the creation of a domestic carbon market. Plants emitting below the target will earn tradable credits; those exceeding limits must buy credits or pay a penalty equal to twice the average credit price. The average price will be determined by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will impose and oversee recovery of penalties, which must be paid within 90 days. Major cement producers including UltraTech, Dalmia, JK Cement, Shree Cement and ACC are included, with reduction targets of up to 3.4% over two years. The framework supports India’s Paris Agreement commitments and prepares exporters for mechanisms such as the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

Switzerland: Cement deliveries rose by 7% in the third quarter of 2025 to 0.98Mt, compared with the same period in 2024, according to data released by Cemsuisse. For the first nine months of the year, total deliveries are expected to reach 2.7Mt, up by 4% year-on-year.

The favourable interest rate environment and recovery in construction activity have reportedly supported demand. “After the slight decline last year, the trend is encouraging,” said Stefan Vannoni, director of Cemsuisse. “Despite some uncertainties in the civil engineering sector, we can currently expect supply volumes to stabilise in 2025.”

Cemsuisse added that the figures highlight the resilience of local cement production, which relies on domestic raw materials and reduces Switzerland’s dependence on foreign suppliers.

Between January and September 2025, 34% of deliveries were made by rail and 66% by road. “The Confederation’s climate policy goals should also be reflected in SBB’s actions: it is therefore urgent to improve planning reliability in rail freight transport,” Vannoni said.

Côte d’Ivoire: Dangote Cement Côte d’Ivoire has officially inaugurated its new 3Mt/yr cement plant in Attingué PK24, around 30km from Abidjan. The US$176m investment is reportedly expected to generate over 1000 direct jobs. The 50-hectare facility is located strategically to reduce logistics costs, and will serve major urban areas more efficiently, helping to stabilise cement prices and improve availability, according to La Nouvelle Tribune.

Construction began 10 years ago, and Dangote Cement now plans a gradual production ramp-up.

US: Silvi Cement, a division of Silvi Materials, has announced a significant expansion of its cementitious materials distribution network, with new facilities in North Carolina and Ohio.

The company has opened a temporary cement rail load-out facility at the deep-water port of Morehead City, North Carolina, now fully operational for pickup and delivery. Construction is also underway on a major cement import terminal at the same site, scheduled to open in 2027. The upcoming terminal will feature two 100,000t domes for Type I/II low-alkali cement and Grade 120 slag, with round-the-clock truck loading and direct rail loadout capabilities.

Silvi is simultaneously developing a large-scale, rail-served cement distribution terminal in Central Ohio, expected to open in spring 2026. Designed to handle over 250,000t/yr, the facility will distribute Type I/II low-alkali cement and Grade 120 slag to meet rising demand across the Midwest. Until the Morehead City domes are completed, both terminals will be supplied by rail from Silvi’s flagship cement terminal in Bristol, Pennsylvania, which houses three domes with a combined storage capacity of 165,000t.