September 2025

Mexico: Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua (GCC) recorded nine-month net sales of US$705m in 2020, down slightly from US$706 in the same period of 2019. Operating earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell by 10% to US$227m from US$206.

Chief executive officer (CEO) Enrique Escalante said, “We experienced mixed demand for our products in most of our markets in Mexico and the US, however both exceeded our expectations from the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Looking forward, our backlog remains encouraging, while overall macro conditions show mixed signs, and short-term uncertainty prevails, mainly regarding Covid-19 outbreaks and weather. Therefore, our goal is to maintain our financial strength, keep people safe and employed, and to continue to serve GCC’s life blood - our invaluable customers.”

Switzerland: LafargeHolcim has announced the launch of EcoLabel, a brand to encapsulate its green cements and concretes. All products bearing the label must have either a 30% lower carbon dioxide (CO₂) footprint compared to the local industry standard or use 20% recycled content. The company says that the reason behind EcoLabel is to “support builders in making greener choices” and to “accelerate the company’s Net Zero Journey.”

Chief sustainability officer Magali Anderson said, “I am very proud of how our company is turning our net zero pledge into action across more than 70 countries, with our broad range of green building solutions. The EcoLabel is a key milestone on this journey, confirming LafargeHolcim’s commitment to lead the way in sustainability and innovation.”

Poland: Cementownia Warta has ordered a BPB-SF heavy-duty arched plate conveyor for the new limestone crushing facility at its Warta integrated cement plant from Germany-based Aumund. The supplier says that it will deliver the equipment before the end of 2020.

Aumund said that it has delivered “more than 20 machines” to the Warta plant since the producer placed its first order with the company in 1998. In 2020 it delivered five KZB pan conveyors of a total capacity of 2300t/hr as part of a project to construct a 120,000t steel-roofed concrete silo at the plant.

US: Green Business Certification Inc has awarded Titan America’s Pennsuco cement plant in Medley, Florida the TRUE Platinum zero waste certificate. TRUE, which stands for “Total Resource Use and Efficiency,” provides a ratings systems by which facilities can receive recognition for achieving zero waste goals. The Pennsuco plant, “repurposed office supplies and materials, composted organic waste and xeriscaped – the process of landscaping that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water from irrigation – among other major initiatives.” The plant is the first in the cement industry to achieve TRUE Platinum certification.

Environmental engineer Allyson Tombesi, who led the zero waste recertification, said, “It’s not just about receiving an award: being zero waste is about considering how we can minimise our impacts so that future generations have the opportunity to live in a sustainable environment. The programme was created with a goal to encourage our employees to lead a zero-waste lifestyle at both the plant and at home. Through programme participation, we hope to inspire our employees and our industry to take action that benefits the future of our planet.”

Oman: Duqm Cement Projects International (DCPI) is set to begin construction of its new 3.5Mt/yr-capacity integrated cement plant at the port of Duqm. The Times of Oman newspaper has reported the value of the company’s investment in the plant as US$435m. DCPI said, “The economy of scales resulting from the envisaged capacity of 10,000t/day, coupled with the latest technology, would help us in achieving our aim of becoming one of the most efficient cement producers in the region.”

Brazil: Ireland-based CRH has agreed to sell its Brazilian business to Companhia Nacional de Cimento (CNC), a joint venture between Italy-based Buzzi Unicem and Grupo Ricardo Brennand, for US$218m. The related assets include three integrated cement plants and two grinding plants. The sale is subject to approval by the Brazilian Competition Authority (CADE). CRH Brazil sold approximately 2.5Mt of cement in 2019.

In 2019 CRH sold its 50% stake in India-based My Home Industries for US$354m. Outside of Europe and North America it retains subsidiaries in the Philippines and China.

Poland: Lafarge Poland has shared plans to modernise its 2Mt/yr Małogoszcz cement plant in Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. The company says its planned investment of Euro100m will, “increase technical efficiency and minimise environmental impacts by reducing CO₂ emissions by 20% and energy consumption by 33%.” The project, which will partly be carried out in partnership with Krakow Technology Park, is scheduled for completion in 2023.

Lafarge Poland president Xavier Guesnu said that the modernisation is part of the company’s effort to meet its commitment of 55% emissions reduction to 300kg/t of cement in 2030 from 667kg/t in 1990.

Pakistan: Lucky Cement recorded a profit of US$13.8m in the first quarter of the 2021 financial year, which begun on 1 July 2020, up by 130% year-on-year from US$5.95m in the first quarter of the 2020 financial year. Net sales rose by 49% to US$89.0m from US$59.8m The cement producer said that the rise resulted from, “a massive recovery in margins amid improvement in retention prices and robust off-take.”

The company added that its upcoming 1.2Mt/yr integrated Samawah cement plant in Iraq is on schedule to begin commercial production in December 2020.

UK: Quinn Building Products has renewed its cement exclusivity contract for the British market with National Buying Group (NBG) until the end of 2024. NBG will sell the cement under Quinn Building Products’ new Mannok brand.

Great Britain regional sales and marketing director Lee Gillman said, “Today’s announcement is a very clear signal of our intentions going forward under the Mannok name. We will bring with us everything we do best, which means we will continue to offer quality products and service to our customers and demonstrate real commitment to the merchants who are key to our company’s success, through strong working partnerships with bodies such as NBG. We are delighted to make this commitment with NBG, who have played a key part in the increased sales of cement we have experienced since launching our extended cement range in 2018. It has been a fruitful partnership for all involved, and one which we are very happy to continue for a further three years.”

India: HeidelbergCement India’s net profit in the six months to 30 September 2020 – the first half of its 2021 financial year – was US$15.1m, down by 19% year-on-year from US$18.6m in the first half of the 2020 financial year. Its revenues fell by 17% to US$125m from US$151m.

The company attributed the fall to the impacts of the on-going coronavirus outbreak. It said, “The company is taking all possible steps to mitigate the effects of Covid-19 on its business and operations. The management has also evaluated the possible impact of the pandemic on the business operation and, based on its assessment of the current indicators of the future economic conditions, it is expected that the carrying amount of assets will be recovered.”