August 2025

France: NeoCem plans to build a €50m clay calcination plant at Saint-Maximin, Picardy. The company recently raised €23m in investments in its Series A funding round. The Le Journal des Enterprises newspaper has reported that the Saint-Maximin plant will enter operation in 2025, and will subsequently grow to 200,000t/yr in capacity. NeoCem aims to employ 100 people by 2030.

Head of industrial deployment Guillaume Luu said “To be used in concrete, limestone must be heated for several hours at 1400°C. Our clay-based binder generates CO₂ emissions of 120kg/t, compared to almost 1000kg/t of limestone binder, and our technology can transform all types of clays available. The idea is not to open new quarries, but to give a second life to materials already on the surface." He continued “The up-cycling of clays and their transformation into a low-carbon binder addresses several challenges for the construction sector. On the one hand, the reuse of clay waste, and on the other hand, the decarbonisation of the building materials sector.”

Oman: Omran White Cement Company plans to build a new cement “facility” at Suhar Industrial City, Al Batinah North Governorate. The Times of Oman newspaper has reported that project will command an investment of US$2.6m. Given the price tag, the upcoming facility may be for the distribution and storage of cement, or of raw materials for cement production. Suhar Industrial City is situated within 15km of Sohar port. Omran White Cement Company’s project is one of four recently announced in Suhar Industrial City, with a combined value of US$44.2m.

Austria: Rohrdorfer’s proposed acquisition of a 49% stake in building materials producer Asamer has entered an extended review phase. The parties registered the deal with the Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB) on 10 January 2024. Due to competition concerns, the BWB applied to a court for an in-depth investigation on 21 February 2024.

Ireland/France: Ecocem will showcase its Advanced Cement Technology (ACT) at the Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris on 7-8 March 2024. The French Government and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will host the event, supported by the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (Global ABC). It aims to advance the climate outcomes of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in 2023. Ecocem joins global policy-makers, industry stakeholders and international organisations as the event’s sole international cement technology company exhibitor.

Managing director Donal O'Riain said "The Buildings and Climate Global Forum is happening at a crucial moment for the planet. Urgent and deep decarbonisation of construction materials is essential to achieving the 2015 Paris Agreement targets.” He continued “Ecocem’s ACT low carbon technology can decarbonise the cement sector on a trajectory consistent with 1.5°C of global warming, the first major industry sector to achieve this feat. But we must now mobilise resolutely, rapidly and globally to deploy this technology. The first ambition should be a 50% reduction in CO₂ emissions from cement by 2030. Technology is no longer the barrier."

France: Eqiom plans to expand its Lumbres cement plant by 57% from 700,000t/yr to 1.1Mt/yr by 2026. The project involves the installation of a new kiln and aims to reduce the plant's CO₂ emissions by 20%, its fuel consumption by 35% and its NO_x and SO₂ emissions by 40% and 80% respectively. The producer plans to invest €300m, including €40m from France Relance funds.

Germany/US: Heidelberg Materials CEO Dominik von Achten spoke during the producer’s 2023 results presentation about ‘various scenarios’ to maximise the benefits of its high valuation in the US. Börsen-Zeitung News has reported that the company is considering a possible listing in the US. Alternative scenarios include the launch of an initial public offering (IPO) there.

Spain: Holcim España’s Viver quarries have received an Environmental Impact Declaration (EID) to expand from 13.5 to 37.5 hectares. This expansion will enable the company to extract 300,000t/yr of limestone to supply its Sagunto cement plant. The EID will allow the company to continue to operate the quarry until 2054.

Australia: Adbri has concluded a new interim arrangement with Independent Cement and Lime (ICL), extending ICL’s existing exclusive cement distribution contract from 1 March – 30 June 2024. ICL is a joint venture of Adbri and Barro Group.

Germany: Robecco has announced with sadness the death of its founder and managing director Robert Becker, following a short, serious illness. The company said that Becker’s legacy will continue to influence it. It said that it will be happy to answer any questions or concerns of customers or partners.

Robecco said “Robert Becker was not only an outstanding entrepreneur, but also an extraordinary person who shaped our company with his commitment, his vision and his tireless efforts. His legacy will live on in our hearts and in the DNA of our company.” It added “Despite the heavy loss, we assure you that business will continue as usual in all areas of the company. We are determined to honour the legacy of Robert Becker and to continue his legacy.”

Australia: Boral's Berrima cement plant team has successfully concluded its annual kiln shutdown and maintenance period. The producer invested US$13.1m and 100,000 working hours over a period of three weeks. The project required coordination with 50 different contracting companies to undertake mechanical repairs and replace the kiln refractory, which is crucial for protecting the kiln shell from heat damage and ensuring operational safety. Employing Cement 4.0 technology and advanced diagnostic tools, the team efficiently identified the necessary repairs. About 300 employees and contractors were engaged in the specialist tasks, facilitating a rapid resumption of kiln operations.