October 2025

Italy: Heidelberg Materials has launched a feasibility study at its Rezzato-Mazzano cement plant to explore a source-to-sink carbon capture and storage (CCS) solution, potentially making it the first in Italy to produce carbon-captured net-zero cement, according to the company’s press release. The aim of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of capturing CO₂ from cement production and transporting it via pipeline to the Ravenna CCS storage hub under the Adriatic Sea. Phase 1 of the Ravenna CCS project will be carried out with the help of a joint venture between Italy-based integrated energy company Eni and energy infrastructure subsidiary Snamprogetti, involving discussions between the three companies for a technical evaluation. The project aims to leverage Eni’s depleted gas fields in the Adriatic Sea, which would be converted for use as permanent CO₂ storage sites. The total storage capacity of these fields is estimated at more than 500Mt. Snam is committed to developing a pipeline network to transport CO₂ from emitters to the Ravenna CCS hub.  

Chair of the managing board of Heidelberg Materials, Dominik von Achten, said "We are excited to explore the economic feasibility of a carbon capture initiative in the Mediterranean. Our ambition at Heidelberg Materials is not only to implement a decarbonisation initiative that is highly efficient in terms of resources and energy, but also to provide an important impetus for the development of a regional CCS cluster."

Member of the managing board of Heidelberg Materials and responsible for Europe, Jon Morrish, said "With an aspired capture rate of more than 95% of our plant’s emissions, this initiative aims to explore options for industrial-scale CCS in Italy. This would enable us to supply locally produced, carbon captured net-zero cement under our evoZero brand to customers in the region."

Ethiopia: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has inaugurated the Lemi National Cement Factory, built by a joint venture between West International Holding, the African arm of West China Cement, and East African Holding Company. With a production capacity of 15,000t/day, this facility is now reportedly the largest in Ethiopia, according to Xinhua news. Located 150km north of the capital city of Addis Ababa in the Lemi Building Materials Industrial Park, the project cost US$600m.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said "The project exemplifies the swift and efficient delivery of crucial infrastructure. Congratulations to all those involved in realising this important project, which now produces 50% of the cement made by plants across the country."

India: Ambuja Cement has proposed the establishment of a cement plant at Ramannapet, eliciting concerns from local residents over potential environmental impacts. The proposed plant is intended to be built on 70 acres initially designated for a dry port, and involves an investment of US$167m, according to the Deccan Chronicle. The River Musi, located 14km from the proposed plant, is expected to be at risk, as well as local residents living near the site. The Pollution Control Board is scheduled for a public hearing on 23 October 2024 regarding this matter.

Rythu Sangam district president Meka Ashok Reddy highlighted the community's concerns, noting that fertile agricultural fields within a 14km radius could be turned into ‘wastelands’, and crop yields along the River Musi might drop by 30% due to water contamination. He said that 10 villages around Ramannapet would be affected by pollution from the proposed plant.

Pakistan: The cement industry in Pakistan is experiencing a significant decline, with local dispatches for September 2024 projected to fall by 22% year-on-year to approximately 2.79Mt. This decline is reportedly due to a slowdown in construction activities, exacerbated by rising costs of construction materials. According to Topline Pakistan Research, local cement sales for the first quarter of the financial year 2025 are also expected to decrease by 21% compared to the same period in 2023.

Despite a slight month-on-month increase in dispatches from 2.75Mt in August 2024, the year-on-year data highlights a continuing slump in construction and a sharp increase in cement prices. However, there cement exports are projected to increase by 27% month-on-month and 36% year-on-year. Total cement sales for September are estimated at 3.56Mt, marking a 14% decline year-on-year but a 6% increase from August 2024. Capacity utilisation in the sector is estimated at 52% for September 2024, an improvement from August 2024’s 47% but still below the 60% recorded in September 2023.

Jamaica: Senator Aubyn Hill, minister of industry and commerce, has reported an 8% month-on-month decline in cement production from January to August 2024, citing scheduled maintenance at Caribbean Cement Company as a partial cause. The maintenance took place from 12 August to 3 September 2024. Alongside the production drop, there was also a decrease in total domestic sales during the same period. Senator Hill has urged cement importers to utilise quotas issued by his Ministry to mitigate the industry shortfall.

Egypt: Cemex has signed an agreement with Assiut Governorate to operate its second Regenera facility in Egypt. This facility processes about 7,000t/month of municipal solid refuse, treating it to generate alternative fuels before compost production, thereby ensuring minimal residual materials go to landfill. The Assiut agreement follows the first Regenera facility in Mahala, which began operations in May 2024. Cemex has invested over US$2.5m in an alternative fuel dryer at the Assiut plant.

US: Colorado-based energy company NovoHydrogen plans to establish a hydrogen production facility at the Ash Grove Cement plant near Durkee, Oregon. Funded by the 2021 federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, the plant aims to start producing hydrogen fuel by 2028, according to CEO and founder Matt McMonagle. The hydrogen produced would be stored at the plant to be used to fuel trucks and other vehicles on-site, as well as potentially being used to power the plant. The construction of the plant will reportedly create 50 jobs.

Phillip Teintze, manager at the Durkee plant, said "The Ash Grove Cement Durkee plant is active in many opportunities to decarbonise our industry. Solutions for low carbon cement manufacturing are significantly challenging in terms of processes and expense. The Durkee plant is excited to see the development of NovoHydrogen’s efforts with the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub. As hydrogen becomes environmentally and economically viable, we believe our facility could act as a distribution site, and potentially utilise hydrogen as a fuel to displace traditional fossil fuels.”

Colombia: Ultracem's general manager, Julián Vásquez, has announced plans to establish a clinker kiln in the municipality of Galapa with an investment of US$100m. This new facility aims to eliminate the need to import clinker, which is currently sourced from Turkey, Vietnam, and Spain. The kiln is expected to be operational within two years.

Vásquez said "This will give us competitive advantages and will involve increasing the workforce from the 1200 direct and indirect jobs we generate today by 20%."

Vietnam: The Philippines, Bangladesh and Taiwan were the leading importers of Vietnamese cement and clinker in the first eight months of 2024, reports the General Department of Vietnam Customs. The Philippines imported 5.35Mt valued at US$214.3m, seeing a decline of 1.8% in volume and 12.97% in value year-on-year. Bangladesh followed, purchasing 4.18Mt worth US$133.9m, up by 5.2% in volume but down 11.4% in value compared to the previous year. Taiwan ranked third, importing 994,735t valued at US$35.5m, with decreases of 17.2% in volume and 24.5% in value year-on-year.

From January to August 2024, Vietnam's total earnings from cement and clinker exports reached US$788.8m from over 20.5Mt, marking a decrease of 3.2% in volume and 14.5% in value year-on-year.

Kyrgyzstan: MP Alisher Kozuyev has called for the removal of the ban on importing Uzbek cement, stating during a parliamentary committee meeting on 24 September 2024 that it would reduce prices and enhance quality for Kyrgyz consumers by increasing market competition. He argued that the current ban supports local monopolies and raises domestic cement prices. The ban was introduced three months ago and is designed to protect local manufacturers, according to officials. Nonetheless, deputy minister of economy and commerce, Choro Seyitov, warned that cheaper Uzbek cement could threaten local industries, especially in the Osh region, and risk jobs and tax revenue. Seyitov also noted that some Uzbek cement does not meet Kyrgyz standards and certification requirements, and accused Uzbek exporters of price dumping.