Switzerland: After 128 years as a family-operated business in Grandson, Vaud, Cand-Landi will become a subsidiary of Holcim Group. This acquisition marks an expansion for Holcim in the areas of aggregate and concrete production, as well as landfill management.

The terms of the transaction, including the financial details, have not been disclosed. However, the Cand-Landi name will be kept after the acquisition.

UK: Tarmac will utilise River Logic's Digital Planning Twin™ for enhanced supply chain capabilities in its cement division.

Jim Dutton, cement supply chain planning manager at Tarmac, said "We're pleased to have commissioned River Logic as a partner to work with our cement business in the UK. Working with River Logic means we have further support to simplify, connect, and optimise our supply chain efforts. With this third-generation system, we can look at CO₂ emissions data in addition to supply and demand information which supports our planning."

Nepal: Sarbottam Cement's initial public offering (IPO) concluded on 8 March 2023, with the company issuing 13% of its capital. SSPro News has reported that this corresponds to a value of US$35m. Of the issued shares, 40% were allocated to qualified institutional investors. The issue was oversubscribed by a factor of 18.

The last traded price of Sarbottam Cement’s shares had risen by 10% on its first trading day on 19 March 2024.

Philippines: Holcim Philippines has renewed its supply agreement to provide cement for Megawide Construction’s projects across Luzon in 2024. The partnership, initiated in 2016, continues amid increasing cement demand from Megawide.

Markus Hennig, Megawide's executive vice president, said "With our renewed supply agreement with Holcim Philippines, Megawide has reinforced its linkage with a like-minded partner who supports our vision of a first-world Philippines.”

Holcim Philippines president and CEO Horia Adrian said “We look forward to providing Megawide’s cement supply needs in 2024 and continuing engagements on possible collaborations to advance innovative and sustainable building in the Philippines.”

Mexico/Spain: Cemex has entered a partnership with energy transition investor White Summit Capital to develop projects that will contribute to its 2050 net-zero objectives. The partnership focuses on decarbonising operations and circularity, including reducing its cement’s clinker factor, optimising its fuel mix and transforming refuse into energy.

Sergio Menéndez, president of Cemex Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia, said “We are pleased to have entered this collaboration with White Summit Capital and are excited to explore how together we can develop innovative solutions to decarbonise Cemex Europe operations and further strengthen our circularity positioning.”

Saudi Arabia: Riyadh Cement has reported its annual financial results for the period ending on 31 December 2023. Revenues were US$171m, a 7.6% year-on-year increase from US$159m in 2022. However, net profit marginally decreased by 0.6% to US$50.3m, compared to US$50.6m in the previous year.

Germany: According to a new study backed by the German Cement Works Association (VDZ), the country's cement and lime industries require carbon capture and storage (CCS) for decarbonisation. The study outlines the need for a 4800km CO₂ transport pipeline in Germany by 2035.

The VDZ warns that any delay could jeopardise Germany's 2045 climate neutrality target and estimates the investment for the new CO₂ grid at €14bn. The network is expected to transport 6.5Mt/yr of CO₂ by 2030, increasing to 46Mt by 2045. Additionally, CCS transit from Switzerland, Austria and France is expected to contribute 15 - 20Mt.

VDZ president Christian Knell said "Cement manufacturers and other industries in the EU emissions trading system must produce largely climate-neutrally by 2040."

US: Heidelberg Materials North America has demonstrated its new bagging system at the Mitchell cement plant in Indiana. It features a Ventomatic GIROMAT EVO V12 rotary packer that can fill one bag per second and 3600 bags per hour, and has an automated kiosk system. The Mitchell plant predominantly manufactures EcoCem Portland limestone cement, along with Brixment Masonry and Stone-Hold products. The new system first became operational in 2023.

Toby Knott, vice president of cement sales in the Midwest region, said "Compared to earlier operations, when bags had to be put on spouts by hand, the increase in efficiency provides more opportunity." The plant's rebranding from Lehigh Cement to Heidelberg Materials can also be seen on new bag designs.

Philippines: DMCI Holdings is considering the acquisition of Cemex Holdings Philippines. Reuters has reported that the deal is valued at around US$715m. DMCI Holdings Chairman Isidro Consunji expressed optimism about the potential acquisition, but did not specify a completion timeline. DMCI Holdings is exploring diversification into new industries, with cement identified as a strategic addition.

Colombia: Cemex Colombia plans to source 42,900MWh/yr of renewable electricity for its Caracolita cement plant in Tolima from Celsia's upcoming 20MW solar power plant in Ibague. Upon the solar plant’s commissioning in 2025, this initiative will account for 25% of the cement plant's electricity needs.

Alejandro Ramirez, president of Cemex Colombia and Peru, said "Supplying our main cement plant in Colombia with solar energy will be a decisive step in our strategy to take advantage of renewable sources for cement production in Colombia."

Ricardo Sierra, CEO of Celsia, said "The company has 17 operational solar power plants totalling more than 300MW of installed capacity in Colombia." He added "Celsia’s target is to reach 1GW of photovoltaic projects under construction and development, some of which will deliver power to the grid, and others will benefit various industrial companies."