August 2025

Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan: The government of Kazakhstan’s Jambyl Region says that investors have come forward to support construction of a proposed railway between the region and Kyrgyzstan. Central Asia News has reported that a major cement plant construction project is underway in Jambyl Region. Regional governor Yerbol Karashukeyev said that Kyrgyzstan is undergoing a ‘building boom,’ including in the major market of Bishkek, 20km from the border with Jambyl Region.

Karashukeyev said “In view of the rapid development of the market in Kyrgyzstan and the production of large volumes of construction materials in Kazakhstan, it is worth developing cooperation.”

Rwanda: Kenya-based Devki Group subsidiary National Cement signed a deal to acquire CIMERWA from International Holdings Proprietary Limited, a subsidiary of South Africa-based PPC, and minority shareholders on 17 November 2023.

KTPress News has reported that CIMERWA’s chair, Regis Rugemanshuro, said “We look forward to welcoming National Cement as our new shareholder. We are confident that they have the financial and technical resources required to support CIMERWA’s growth and expansion in line with our vision and their ambitions in the region.”

Narendra Raval, chair of Devki Group, said “We are committed to a long-term strategic partnership with CIMERWA. We believe in the potential for this business and its people and are excited by the opportunity to support infrastructure development in the region in line with our strategic expansion ambitions.”

South Africa: PPC recorded consolidated sales of US$335m during the first half of the 2024 financial year, up by 21% year-on-year from US$277m during the first half of the 2023 financial year. Meanwhile, its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 47%, to US$58.1m from US$39.6m. The group increased its cement sales volumes by 4%, and currency effects further helped to offset a 16% rise in its cost of sales. Cement volumes fell in South Africa, however PPC noted a locally ‘resilient performance’ despite a challenging market there and in Botswana, a ‘strong recovery’ in Zimbabwe and a ‘continued positive trajectory’ in Rwanda, via its subsidiary CIMERWA.

PPC said “The key focus for PPC will remain on its southern Africa businesses, including South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. This includes continuing to improve its profitability and enhance returns through further operational efficiencies and cost containment measures. Without a significant increase in infrastructure spending and South African gross domestic product, South Africa's cement demand is expected to remain subdued and sustainability is therefore dependent on both capital discipline and margin management. Notwithstanding, PPC South Africa remains well positioned to benefit from an increase in cement demand, with additional capacity readily available to capture an upswing in demand without significant additional capital expenditure being required.”

Philippines: Filinvest-ENGIE Renewable Energy Enterprise (FREE) has won a contract with Cemex Philippines for the construction of a 10.1MW solar power plant. The Business Mirror newspaper has reported that the plant is comprised of a ground-mounted array of solar panels at Cemex Philippines’ Apo cement plant in Cebu. The solar power plant will eliminate 10,000t/yr of CO₂ from the Cebu cement plant’s emissions. Additionally, the producer has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with FREE for future collaborations on renewable energy and efficiency-increasing projects around the nearby city of Naga.

Cemex Philippines president and CEO Luis Franco said “This solar energy partnership is another milestone under Cemex’s Future in Action programme, as we progress closer to our goal of reducing Scope 2 CO₂ emissions to less than 24kg/t of cementitious product by 2030.” He added “We are proud to partner with FREE, a company that shares our vision to address climate change through sustainable projects. This is a win not only for Cemex, but also for the planet as we take concrete steps in making renewable energy the future of the industry.”

Colombia: Cementos Argos has launched an offer to repurchase shares up to a value of US$4.92m, comprising up to US$4.14m-worth of common shares and up to US$787,000-worth of preferred shares. The producer stated that the move aims to increase the liquidity of its shares on the Colombian stock exchange.

India: Village leaders from Maharashtra’s Chandrapur District began a hunger strike on 17 November 2023 with the stated aim of ensuring that UltraTech Cement continues to deliver on its commitments to its host communities. Specifically, the demonstration sought to make the producer distribute funding for roadbuilding projects across 12 villages surrounding its 3.6Mt/yr Awarpur cement plant. The Hitavada newspaper has reported that UltraTech Cement agreed to the strikers’ demands on 19 November 2023. In addition to the funding, the company will give preferential treatment to industrial training institute (ITI) and polytechnic students lodging at the selected villages when allocating apprenticeships and training places and make some of its land available for community uses.

Egypt: Sinai Cement’s sales were US$104m in the first nine months of 2023, up by 99% from US$52.4m in the corresponding period in 2022. As such, it succeeded in reducing its net loss by 31%, to US$3.93m from US$571m.

Malaysia: Hume Cement Industries recorded US$65.5m in sales during the first quarter of the 2024 financial year (beginning 1 July 2023). This represents 48% year-on-year growth from US$44.2m one year previously. The producer’s profit was US$10.3m, against a US$2.57m loss in the first quarter of the 2023 financial year.

Bernama Daily Malaysian News has reported that Hume Cement Industries expects domestic cement demand to rise throughout the 2024 financial year. Nonetheless, the company said “The board remains cautious, as the uncertainties arising from geopolitical pressures continue to challenge the cement industry's input costs. The group is increasing its focus on developing sustainable construction materials in this growing economy, while continuing its efforts to enhance operational excellence.”

UAE: The first nine months of 2023 brought sales growth of 39% year-on-year for National Cement Company, to US$36.8m from US$26.7m. Meanwhile, the company reversed nine-month 2022 losses of US$5.45m to record a net profit of US$13.7m during the first nine months of 2023.

India: ABG Shipyard plans to sell Vadraj Cement, which owns a decommissioned clinker unit and grinding unit, as well as quarries and a jetty, in Kutch, Gujarat. The National Company Law Tribunal took over winding up proceedings for the former cement producer in September 2023. The Economic Times newspaper has reported JSW Cement, Adani Group and steel producer ArcelorMittal Group as potential buyers for the business. It expects Vadraj Cement to attract a price of US$240 – 300m, against debts of US$841m.