08 September 2025

Nigeria: BUA Group has condemned the killing of eight Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) operatives and a civilian driver in an armed attack near its cement plant in Okpella, Edo State, on 5 September 2025.

According to The Premium Times newspaper, the personnel were escorting five Chinese nationals back to the facility after a routine patrol when gunmen suspected to be kidnappers ambushed the convoy. The assailants opened fire, killing the operatives and driver.

Four of the Chinese nationals were rescued by NSCDC operatives, while one was abducted. Four other NSCDC members were injured and are now reportedly receiving treatment.

“BUA is deeply saddened by the attack of Friday 5 September 2025, in which eight operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and a civilian driver lost their lives near our Okpella facility in Edo State. We note with grave concern the abduction of a foreign expatriate, even as four others were rescued unharmed. We are working closely with security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted and to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice,” the company said in a statement.

India: JK Cement has commenced construction of a US$340m greenfield cement plant in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The new facility, spread across 212 hectares, is scheduled for completion by early 2027. The plant will reportedly ensure long-term raw material security through access to local limestone reserves, while also being close to high-demand markets in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana.

India: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has approved a reduction in GST on cement, lowering the rate from 28% to 18%. The new rate will come into effect from 22 September 2025, a move expected to reduce capital costs for infrastructure projects and improve cash flows for developers. The structural boost is expected to accelerate cement demand growth to 8–9% per year over the next two financial years from 6-8% previously estimated.

Argentina: Cement despatches in August 2025 totalled 0.89Mt, down by 0.4% year-on-year from August 2024, according to the AFCP. Volumes fell by 0.2% month-on-month.

However, cumulative despatches from January to August 2025 reached 6.59Mt, an 8% increase from 6.08Mt in the same period of 2024. Cement imports in August 2025 stood at 298t, taking the year-to-date total to 1597t.

Vietnam: Vinh Long Province has called on national ministries to introduce preferential policies to encourage the use of coal ash and slag from the Duyen Hai thermal power centre as construction materials, reports The Saigon Times. According to the Vietnam Cement Association, coal ash and slag from thermal power plants have been certified by the Institute for Building Materials under the Ministry of Construction as suitable for use as cement additives, which could reportedly help to ease shortages of construction materials while addressing the disposal of industrial waste in landfills.

The provincial People’s Committee has proposed that the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Finance issue mechanisms that prioritise coal ash and slag over natural resources in traffic and civil construction projects. It also called on the Ministry of Science and Technology to work with agencies to review and update technical standards for using thermal power by-products. By the end of 2024, 4.37Mt of coal ash and slag had accumulated at the Duyen Hai thermal power centre in Vinh Long. Nearly 700,000t more has been generated since January 2025.