11 September 2025

France: Axians IAS has successfully implemented its VAS Yard Management software at its 1000th plant. The system is designed to digitise and optimise loading and logistics in the bulk materials industry. It went live across all 14 Heidelberg Materials France cement facilities, including nine production plants and five terminals. The 1000th site is Heidelberg’s Bruneseau terminal in Paris, where the software now manages fully automated truck loading without requiring on-site personnel. In the first week following the rollout, the 14 plants processed more than 3000 delivery notes involving both trucks and full trains.

Jean-Luc Degrange, project manager at Heidelberg Materials France, said “Planning and executing the rollout of this large-scale project across 14 plants was a unique challenge for our team and Axians. Together, we successfully completed this project. We congratulate Axians IAS on its 1000th implementation and wish them continued success with the next 1000 deployments.”

Spain: IKN is progressing with its satellite replacement project at Grupo Cementos Portland Valderrivas’ Fábrica Els Monjos plant. The project includes the replacement of a cooler with an IKN grate cooler, with a new cooler building, burner and a complete vent air dedusting system. On pier two, IKN is fitting a new shell section and replacing the equipment on the pier, including a new base frame, rollers with bearings and CFU.

The company reported two major milestones: the new kiln section, including the tyre, was successfully lifted into place as one piece, shortening installation time; and the pre-assembly and positioning of the cooler, which was moved into its final position.

Brazil: Cement sales in August 2025 fell to 6Mt, a 2.5% decline compared to 6.15Mt in August 2024 and down 2.5% from July 2025, when sales stood at 6.16Mt, according to preliminary figures from the National Cement Industry Union (SNIC). Total sales, including exports, reached 6.01Mt, also down by 2.5% year-on-year. Cumulatively, sales between January and August 2025 rose by 3% to 44.2Mt, compared to 43.0Mt in the same period of 2024.

By region, the Southeast remained the largest market, selling 2.75Mt of cement in August 2025 (down by 2% year-on-year), followed by the Northeast with 1.26Mt (down by 0.6%), the South with 940,000t (down by 7%), the Centre-West with 745,000t (down by 0.7%), and the North with 298,000t (down by 4%).

The slowdown comes despite record levels of formal employment and higher wages, as consumer debt remains high at 49%, close to the all-time peak of 49.9% in July 2022. Consumer confidence declined in August 2025 amid concerns about the economic outlook.

High interest rates, standing at 15%, continue to weigh on housing demand and the construction sector’s confidence index fell to its lowest level since May 2021, while industry confidence also declined to its weakest point since the Covid-19 pandemic. Tight monetary policy, uncertainty and new US tariffs on Brazilian products have further clouded the outlook.

Paulo Camillo Penna, president of SNIC, said “The federal government's goal for the Minha Casa, Minha Vida program to build two million homes between 2023 and 2026 will enable the consumption of 10Mt of cement during that period. Structural masonry and concrete wall construction systems have been advancing throughout the country due to their cost-effectiveness, agility, competitiveness, and the Brazilian cement industry's efforts to engage and train professionals in construction companies.”

Greece: As of 10 September 2025, Heracles Group will permanently discontinue its 50kg cement bag, becoming the first company in the Greek construction sector to fully transition to smaller bag sizes, according to a press release. The company said that the decision ‘responds to market needs,’ while setting new standards for healthy and safety and efficiency on site.

The company said that the move is expected to ‘significantly improve’ daily operations across construction sites, creating better working conditions and boosting productivity. According to the company, key benefits of the new packaging include reduced strain and fewer injuries on site, easier handling and transport, compliance with European occupational health and safety standards and minimised waste.

Myanmar: The Myanmar Cement Manufacturers Association held a coordination meeting at the Ministry of Industry in Nay Pyi Taw on 9 September 2025. Union Minister for Industry Charlie Than said that the Mandalay earthquake had damaged domestic cement plants, pushing up cement prices. However, he said that coordinated efforts between the association and relevant ministries meant that plants had quickly resumed operations and prices were returning to normal.