Displaying items by tag: GCW731

Japan: Austria-based UNTHA shredding technology has appointed Sun Earth as its official partner for regional sales, system design and service of its industrial shredders in Japan. The agreement expands UNTHA’s global presence to around 40 countries. The partnership responds to rising demand for environmental technologies in Japan, particularly for waste-to-energy and recycling applications. UNTHA’s XR, ZR and RS shredder models will support the production of refuse-derived fuels and the recycling of valuable materials.

Germany: Economy Minister Katherina Reiche has announced a €6bn industrial decarbonisation initiative that, for the first time, includes carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies within the country’s climate protection contracts. The programme targets energy-intensive industries such as cement, as Germany navigates stringent climate targets amid concerns over industrial competitiveness. Companies have until 1 December 2025 to register projects for next year’s bidding round, which is scheduled to begin in mid-2026, pending parliamentary budget approval and EU state aid clearance, according to Reuters.

Under 15-year contracts, the government will subsidise part of the cost for companies transitioning to low-carbon production, protecting them from energy and carbon price volatility. Contracts will be awarded through competitive auctions, prioritising projects with the lowest subsidy per tonne of CO₂ saved, alongside binding emission-reduction milestones. Industry groups have welcomed the inclusion of CCS and the flexible contract design, describing the programme as a pragmatic step toward reconciling climate objectives with the economic pressures facing German industry.

UAE: Asian Paints has announced that its subsidiary, Asian White Inc. FZE, has begun commercial production at its new white cement manufacturing facility in Fujairah. The plant, has an initial capacity of 265,000t/yr, and marks Asian Paints’ entry into the white cement market as part of its broader diversification and international growth strategy. It previously announced its proposed entry into the white cement market back in 2022.

Brazil: The cement industry closed the third quarter of 2025 on a positive note, with sales reaching 6.1Mt in September 2025, up by 4.6% year-on-year. From January to September 2025, cumulative sales stood at 50.3Mt, representing 3% year-on-year growth, according to preliminary figures released by the National Union of the Cement Industry (SNIC). The sector’s performance reflected mixed economic signals, with a robust labour market balancing the effects of high interest rates, rising defaults and elevated household debt. The unemployment rate fell to 5.6% in the quarter ending in August 2025, alongside record levels of formal employment and wage growth of 1.4%.

Despite these gains, overall economic activity has shown signs of slowing in the second half of 2025, with industry confidence stabilising in September 2025 after three months of decline. Given this context, SNIC projects a moderate 2% increase in cement consumption for 2025, supported by continued demand from housing and infrastructure projects.

“The cement industry demonstrates resilience by maintaining positive performance based on a sales recovery that began in 2024,” said Paulo Camillo Penna, president of SNIC. “However, the increased uncertainty in the economy creates an environment of caution. Our projections for 2025 reflect this moderation, but the focus on social housing and sustainable infrastructure solutions such as concrete paving will continue to drive consumption and support Brazil’s economic, social and environmental development.”

Egypt: Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir met with cement producers to discuss production trends, recent price declines, and ways to increase capacity and restart idle production lines, according to a ministry statement. The meeting forms part of the Ministry of Industry’s plan to enhance efficiency in the cement sector and ensure sufficient supply to the local market. Officials reviewed recent price movements, local production levels, and reasons for the shutdown of certain production lines, with a view to their reactivation, according to Zawya news. Cement manufacturers continue to submit monthly production reports to the General Authority for Industrial Development (IDA), including data on licensed capacities, actual output and exports. The review showed that several companies have the technical ability to exceed their currently licensed production limits.

In response, the IDA will study applications from these producers to expand permitted capacities, aiming to optimise resource use, increase supply and stabilise market prices. The meeting also addressed the causes of plant shutdowns, including spare part shortages and ongoing renovation of production units. Some companies are upgrading their systems to align with production and efficiency standards. El-Wazir reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting plants in overcoming technical or administrative obstacles and restoring full operational capacity. The meeting further discussed expanding the use of alternative fuels derived from agricultural and household waste to reduce production costs and environmental impact. Cement companies reportedly expressed interest in this transition, viewing it as a way to enhance competitiveness and sustainability.

Bolivia: The Santa Cruz Chamber of Construction (Cadecocruz) has warned that the 65% increase in cement prices could ‘paralyse’ public and private construction projects across the country, according to Noticias Financieras. The organisation said the increase is inflating project costs, adding pressure to an industry that is reportedly already struggling with broader material price hikes. In response, the chamber has called for cement to be included among the materials covered by Supreme Decrees 5321 and 5452 on price readjustment, arguing that the measure would help to prevent work stoppages and job losses.

India: The government has notified the Greenhouse Gases Emission Intensity Target Rules, 2025, establishing legally binding reduction targets for 282 industrial units in cement and other heavy industries. The notification was issued by the Ministry of Environment on 8 October 2025 after considering all suggestions and objections received on the draft rules, which were published on 16 April 2025. Facilities must reduce greenhouse gas emissions per tonne of output from 2023–24 baseline levels during the 2025–26 to 2026–27 compliance period.

The rules implement the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022, which supports the creation of a domestic carbon market. Plants emitting below the target will earn tradable credits; those exceeding limits must buy credits or pay a penalty equal to twice the average credit price. The average price will be determined by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will impose and oversee recovery of penalties, which must be paid within 90 days. Major cement producers including UltraTech, Dalmia, JK Cement, Shree Cement and ACC are included, with reduction targets of up to 3.4% over two years. The framework supports India’s Paris Agreement commitments and prepares exporters for mechanisms such as the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

Switzerland: Cement deliveries rose by 7% in the third quarter of 2025 to 0.98Mt, compared with the same period in 2024, according to data released by Cemsuisse. For the first nine months of the year, total deliveries are expected to reach 2.7Mt, up by 4% year-on-year.

The favourable interest rate environment and recovery in construction activity have reportedly supported demand. “After the slight decline last year, the trend is encouraging,” said Stefan Vannoni, director of Cemsuisse. “Despite some uncertainties in the civil engineering sector, we can currently expect supply volumes to stabilise in 2025.”

Cemsuisse added that the figures highlight the resilience of local cement production, which relies on domestic raw materials and reduces Switzerland’s dependence on foreign suppliers.

Between January and September 2025, 34% of deliveries were made by rail and 66% by road. “The Confederation’s climate policy goals should also be reflected in SBB’s actions: it is therefore urgent to improve planning reliability in rail freight transport,” Vannoni said.

Côte d’Ivoire: Dangote Cement Côte d’Ivoire has officially inaugurated its new 3Mt/yr cement plant in Attingué PK24, around 30km from Abidjan. The US$176m investment is reportedly expected to generate over 1000 direct jobs. The 50-hectare facility is located strategically to reduce logistics costs, and will serve major urban areas more efficiently, helping to stabilise cement prices and improve availability, according to La Nouvelle Tribune.

Construction began 10 years ago, and Dangote Cement now plans a gradual production ramp-up.

US: Silvi Cement, a division of Silvi Materials, has announced a significant expansion of its cementitious materials distribution network, with new facilities in North Carolina and Ohio.

The company has opened a temporary cement rail load-out facility at the deep-water port of Morehead City, North Carolina, now fully operational for pickup and delivery. Construction is also underway on a major cement import terminal at the same site, scheduled to open in 2027. The upcoming terminal will feature two 100,000t domes for Type I/II low-alkali cement and Grade 120 slag, with round-the-clock truck loading and direct rail loadout capabilities.

Silvi is simultaneously developing a large-scale, rail-served cement distribution terminal in Central Ohio, expected to open in spring 2026. Designed to handle over 250,000t/yr, the facility will distribute Type I/II low-alkali cement and Grade 120 slag to meet rising demand across the Midwest. Until the Morehead City domes are completed, both terminals will be supplied by rail from Silvi’s flagship cement terminal in Bristol, Pennsylvania, which houses three domes with a combined storage capacity of 165,000t.