August 2025

Nepal: Hetauda Cement Industry has paused production for nearly three months, with no clear timeline for the return to regular cement production, according to Khabar Hub news. The company has cited a need for repairs to various equipment and the installation of new machinery as the cause.

Basanta Raj Pandey, general manager, said that operations depend on confirmation of a regular 8MW power supply from the Nepal Electricity Authority. Ongoing negotiations with the NEA have reportedly yet to resolve daily power cuts, which have delayed the repairs and installations, which are expected to take several more weeks. The company once produced 18,000 bags/day of cement, but now produces just 10,000 bags/day due to deteriorating equipment. A bidding process for the procurement of 4000t/day of coal has now begun.

Morocco: Cement sales rose by 9% year-on-year to 13.7Mt in 2024, according to the Ministry of National Territory and Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy.

Distribution-targeted deliveries reached 7.88Mt, based on data from members of the Professional Association of Cement Manufacturers (APC).

Philippines: DMCI Holdings will postpone developing a cement plant on Semirara Island following its acquisition of almost 90% of Cemex Holdings Philippines (CHP). 

Herbert Consunji, chief finance officer of DMCI and president and CEO of CHP, said CHP's existing plants in Antipolo and Cebu better serve key markets in Luzon and Visayas, according to The Manila Bulletin. Transport costs from Semirara Island would result in an increase in cement prices.

The company will reconsider the project upon the renewal of its coal operating contract in July 2027.

Nigeria: Tetracore Energy has entered into an agreement with Dangote Cement to supply up to 400,000m³/day of compressed natural gas (CNG) for its logistics operations. The energy provider will deploy its mobile refilling units and establish mother stations nationwide to provide a supply of CNG for Dangote’s logistics fleet.

Philippines: Governor Gwen Garcia has called for an investigation into all cement plants in Cebu over environmental and safety risks from large-scale quarrying operations, according to Sugbo News.

The governor called attention to mineral production sharing agreements (MPSAs) granted to companies like Apo Land and Quarry Corporation (ALQC), which cover over 3300 hectares, including populated areas. ALQC supplied materials to Cemex Philippines. Garcia also requested a review of other cement plants, including Solid Earth (owned by Taiheiyo Cement), Mabuhay Filcement and Republic Cement, advocating for stricter oversight.

UAE: A cement plant in Fujairah has halted operations after a malfunction caused thick smoke to rise from the chimney, according to local news reports. The Fujairah Environment Authority conducted an inspection to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and laws. The plant consequently initiated an immediate shutdown and submitted a plan to repair the malfunction and prevent future issues.

India: JK Lakshmi Cement will merge three of its subsidiaries, Udaipur Cement Works, Hansdeep Industries and Trading, and Hidrive Developers and Industries, into its operations. Under the scheme of amalgamation, Udaipur Cement Works’ shareholders will receive four JK Lakshmi Cement shares for every 100 shares held. The merger will ‘simplify the group structure’, making ‘one combined entity focused in the business of cement and cement products’, according to The Business Standard.

Pakistan: December 2024 saw mixed results for cement despatches, according to data published by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association. Local despatches declined by 5% year-on-year, falling to 3.37Mt from 3.54Mt in December 2023. Overall, total cement despatches for December 2024 stood at 4.15Mt, up by 2% from 4.06Mt year-on-year. For the first half of the fiscal year, total despatches decreased by 4% to 22.9Mt. Domestic despatches saw a significant drop of 10%, totalling 18.1Mt. Exports, however, witnessed a 32% increase, reaching 4.81Mt during this period. In December 2024, exports reached 0.78Mt, a 49% year-on-year increase from 0.53Mt in December 2023.

Ethiopia: East African Holding (EAH) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Ethiopian Construction Works Corporation (ECWC) to boost infrastructure development through the supply of cement products from its Lemi National Cement and Dire Dawa plants. The agreement was signed by Biru Wolde, CEO of EAH, and Yonas Ayalew, CEO of ECWC.

Liberia: The Daily Observer has reported smuggling of essential commodities, including cement, across the Ganta Border into Guinea, potentially leading to shortages. Over 1000 bags of cement are allegedly transported daily from the Ganta market into Guinea, leading to an increase in prices.