17 December 2025

US: Amrize has announced the commissioning of a production expansion at its cement plant in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, increasing the plant’s capacity by 600,000t/yr to reach a total of 5.0Mt/yr. The expansion forms part of Amrize’s broader US$700m investment plan for 2025, aimed at strengthening operations and supporting domestic customers.

The company said that the project reinforces its commitment to ‘Made in America’ manufacturing, supporting local jobs and communities while ensuring high-quality cement supply for builders across the country.

Türkiye: Cement exporter Medcem has secured contracts for 5.5Mt of cement and clinker for 2026, up from 4.8Mt in 2025, according to Platts, part of S&P Global Energy. The deals include 4Mt of bulk cement and 1Mt of bagged cement for the US market. Medcem also signed clinker contracts totalling 1.5Mt, including 0.5Mt of low-chromium clinker for Europe and standard clinker for other markets such as West Africa.

“Compared to 2025, our prices and volumes are higher for 2026, unlike other exporting countries who’ve had to maintain their prices or give a discount,” said CEO Murat Sahin. He added that, to support growing demand, Medcem is expanding its grinding capacity by nearly 1Mt/yr by 2027, increasing its total capacity from 7.5Mt/yr to 9Mt/yr.

Taiwan: Taiwan Cement has voiced support for government efforts to reduce the country’s growing reliance on imported cement, warning that the trend could undermine domestic producers and jobs.

The remarks come after locally-owned Universal Cement announced it would stop buying from Taiwan Cement and shift entirely to imported cement and clinker from elsewhere, including Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam, to satisfy its demand of 1Mt/yr. Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming raised concerns over the rising imports, said that the imports raise concerns about carbon footprints and encouraged reducing reliance on imported cement. Taiwan Cement chair Chang An-ping said that the issue was not just environmental. “Taiwan risks becoming a dumping ground for surplus cement from foreign markets,” he said, which could affect domestic workers. He showed customs data that export prices to Taiwan are lower than domestic prices in exporting countries.

Chang criticised the lack of reciprocity in Taiwan’s zero-tariff policy on cement imports and said that the anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese cement introduced in July 2025 had failed to stop prices from falling. He also called for consistent carbon verification standards. While domestic producers follow a strict ‘gross emissions’ approach verified by third parties, Chang said many Southeast Asian exporters use ‘net emissions’ accounting, which subtracts emissions avoided through waste treatment. Minister Peng confirmed plans to align verification of imported cement with local rules.

India: Bengaluru Solid Waste Management (BSWML) has reported improved segregation of waste at source, resulting in a rise in the collection of low-value plastic waste, which can be used as refuse derived fuel (RDF). BSWML has signed a new agreement with Dalmia Cement to supply 200-250t/day of RDF to the company’s cement plant in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh. On the first day of operations, 160t were despatched to the plant. Currently, the city of Bengaluru generates between 350-400t/day of RDF. Under the agreement, Dalmia Cement has committed to accept up to 1000t/day, which officials say will significantly reduce pressure on the city’s landfills.

Pakistan: Fecto Cement has temporarily suspended operations at its 1Mt/yr cement plant in Sangjani, Islamabad. According to the company, the plant is its primary manufacturing facility and serves northern Pakistan and export markets in Afghanistan. The suspension is reportedly due to administrative issues and ‘procedural matters with local authorities.’

The company did not provide an estimate for when it expects production to resume, but said that it ‘does not foresee any long-term adverse impact’ on its financial position.