August 2025

Canada: Cement exports declined by 2% year-on-year to 4.4Mt in 2024, according to a report by IndexBox. In terms of value, exports reached US$534m in 2024.

The US remained the sole export destination, accounting for 100% of total exports, according to the report. Portland cement represented 85% of total shipments at 3.7Mt.

India: A committee has identified environmental compliance failures at the Adani-owned ACC cement plant in Barmana, Bilaspur district, according to The Indian Express.

The inspection conducted revealed inadequate dust emission controls, missing three-layer tree plantation and deficient truck-tyre washing systems at the plant. Only one kiln was operational at 40% capacity during the visit, as the plant is undergoing maintenance from 3 January to 8 February 2025. Therefore, the committee has requested an additional eight weeks to submit its report, so that it may conduct a more thorough investigation once the plant is operating at full capacity.

The Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board has previously imposed a US$149,000 fine on the plant in April 2022 for air quality breaches and untreated water discharge, with at least seven complaints lodged against the plant by local residents over the last three years.

US: Carbon capture firm Nuada and lime producer MLC (formerly Mississippi Lime Company) have signed a memorandum of understanding to demonstrate net-zero lime production at MLC's Ste. Genevieve plant in Missouri. The partners aim to contribute to a reduction of the facility’s CO₂ emissions by 95%.

Nuada’s technology uses metal-organic frameworks as a solid sorbent alongside vacuum swing pressure adsorption, which utilises pressure rather than heat to separate CO₂ from flue gases.

Co-CEO Jose Casaban said "Our breakthrough in carbon capture technology sets a new standard for energy efficiency, paving the way for transformative decarbonisation in hard-to-abate sectors like lime manufacturing. Through this collaboration with MLC, we are driving the next generation of carbon capture forward, setting a new standard for emissions reduction and sustainability in the lime industry."

India: Aditya Birla Group subsidiary UltraTech Cement has entered talks to acquire Heidelberg Materials' 69% stake in HeidelbergCement India, Reuters reports. Executives from Aditya Birla Group have reportedly met with Heidelberg Materials' management to discuss the acquisition. Heidelberg Materials’ stake has been valued at approximately US$391m.

The talks come after the Economic Times reported that Ultratech’s rival Adani Group was in discussions to buy Heidelberg's stake back in October 2024.

India: JK Cement has entered a joint venture with Saifco Cement, through which it will expand its offering in northern India. JK Cement will acquire a 60% stake in Saifco Cement for US$20.1m to expand in Jammu and Kashmir, where Saifco owns limestone reserves of 129Mt across 144 hectares. The acquisition will involve both the companies working together to increase the capacity of cement production by leveraging the expanse of the limestone reserves in the next five years, according to a press release.

JK Cement CEO Madhav Singhania said "Cement demand typically leads economic expansion by a factor of 1.2 in regions with significant infrastructural development opportunities, and Kashmir is undoubtedly one of these regions."

Tunisia: Carthage Cement recorded a fall in turnover of 2% year-on-year to US$133m at the end of the 2024 financial year, ‘in an economic context marked by numerous challenges’, according to local news reports. Despite this, the company recorded a rise in cement production and clinker production, to 1.82Mt (+3% year-on-year) and 1.57Mt (+1% year-o-year) respectively. Local sales rose by 2% year-on-year to US$109m, while exports fell by 30% to U$12.6m. This decrease was reportedly mainly due to a strategic decision to limit export clinker sales in view of ‘unattractive’ market conditions. The producer reduced its debt by 10% to US$101m.

Malaysia: Cahya Mata Cement will build a second line at its Mambong facility in Kuching to increase cement production and support Sarawak's infrastructure development. Construction is expected to take 24 months, with expected completion in March 2027.

The project will add 6000t/day of clinker capacity, raising output to 1.92Mt/yr. This will enable the company to become self-sufficient in its clinker supply and therefore eliminate the need for imports.

The company signed a technical consulting agreement with Sinoma Industry Engineering in November 2023 to design and construct the new production line. It will feature a waste heat recovery system, generating up to 6MW of power, alongside a dust filter designed to cut emissions to half of the current regulatory limit, according to the New Straits Times. The new line will also use locally-sourced alternative raw materials to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

Cahya Mata Cement acting division head Choong Ju Tang said "Once the project is approved and construction is completed, Cahya Mata Cement will be well-positioned to meet the construction industry's demand.”

Canada: Ash Grove Cement, part of CRH, says it will release the findings of technical studies supporting its plan to burn alternative fuels at its Mississauga cement plant. Ash Grove plans to burn materials such as construction and demolition waste, wood, plastics and rubber.

The company says the initiative will reduce fossil fuel emissions by limiting its current reliance on coal, while also diverting materials from landfill.

Kenya: The government has warned cement producers about buying materials from unlicensed sources. Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho has berated cement producers for purchasing minerals from unauthorised sellers, arguing that this practice enables the operations of illegal miners who exploit the country’s natural resources.

During a meeting with cement producers and representatives from the Kenya Association of Manufacturers and Kenya Chamber of Mines, Joho said "We need your support in fighting against illegal mining operations, but sadly some of you provide markets for minerals extracted illegally by faceless entities that are not paying taxes, royalties and are giving nothing to communities for those minerals. This must stop.”

In the past three years, the government has closed 3000 illicit mines that were operating without licenses. The Cabinet Secretary noted that gypsum was a heavily exploited material by the illegal miners, who use it as an ingredient in cement.

Joho added “You have been buying and using gypsum in cement manufacturing, yet there is no record of anyone licensed to mine gypsum in Kenya. There are no records on production, payment of taxes and royalties or community programs undertaken by any gypsum dealer because they are doing it illegally.”

Pakistan: Cement exports have increased by 23% to US$167m from July to December 2024, compared to US$136m in the same period of 2023, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Export volumes rose by 34% from 3.51Mt to 4.69Mt. In December 2024, exports grew by 45% year-on-year to US$31.9m, up from US$22m in December 2023. The data also showed a 3% month-on-month rise in December 2024 compared to November 2024.