India: The National Green Tribunal has received a complaint from the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) challenging the Meghalaya Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s approval of Star Cement’s Brishyrnot quarry expansion plans. The Sentinel newspaper has reported that the student organisation demanded the cancellation or suspension of environmental clearance for the expansion pending proper processes. It claims that the ministry failed to meet the necessary requirements for a public hearing. It allegedly did not receive no-objection confirmation from all affected local groups.

The Brishyrnot quarry currently covers 42ha in East Jaintia Hills district and has a limestone capacity of 2.5Mt/yr.

Tanzania: Tanzania Portland Cement recorded an increase in turnover of 13% year-on-year to US$170m in 2020 from US$150m in 2019. The Daily News newspaper has reported that the company’s net profit for the year was US$31.9m, up by 25% year-on-year from US$25.4m in 2019. Its sales volumes of cement grew by 6% in 2020. Chair Hakan Gurdal attributed the results to increased cement volumes, level prices and controlled cost.

Gurdal said, “We achieved new records in production, dispatching and cement sales, following a volumes strategy to offset the general price downward trend of the past 10 years.” He added that the company remains ‘deeply involved’ in large infrastructure projects and that “The trend remains strong.” In 2020, national cement demand rose to 5.9Mt

By the end of 2021, Tanzania is expected to have a cement production capacity of 11Mt/yr.

Spain: The Balearic Environmental Commission has set more stringent environmental requirements than previously in its authorisation of Cemex’s Lloseta plant’s licence to operate. The Diario de Mallorca newspaper has reported that the authority has followed standards set out by European Commission decisions. The requirements cover emissions, dust and hazardous waste volumes.

Grenada: The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council for Trade and Economic Development has received an application from Grenada for the legalisation of imports of cement from outside of the CARICOM bloc into the country. Nation News has reported that the country is experiencing a cement shortage because Trinidad & Tobago-based Trinidad Cement has suspended exports. The producer reduced its activities because of the on-going Covid-19 outbreak.

Grenada previously sought to import cement from non-CARICOM member countries in 2004 following Hurricane Ivan.

India: LafargeHolcim subsidiary ACC facilitated the construction of around 31,500 affordable homes across India through its Green Building Centres in 2020. The retail franchise offers reduced-CO₂ concrete blocks and other alternatives to traditional brick. The company uses the centres for its Mason Training Programme, which helps develop construction skills. Each Green Building Centre employs on average 30 people. Throughout the year, the company established 43 new centres, bringing its total number to 100.

Managing director and chief executive officer Sridhar Balakrishnan said, "Green Building Centres is a unique programme which aims to provide affordable housing, sanitation solutions and rural and semi-urban pavement solutions. It is a key pillar in our plan for people and communities in India. At ACC, we believe in embracing communities and working together to effect real change. Through the Mason Training Programme, we also give real opportunities to young Indians for self-development. We not only want to build our nation with sustainable building solutions but also empower the nation's youth through entrepreneurship, livelihood and skill development initiatives."

Czech Public: Ukraine-based Betonmash has fulfilled an order for a Granit-42 ready-mix concrete batching plant from a customer in the Czech Republic. The 42m3/hr-capacity plant consists of a 750l rotary mixer and 75t hopper. Italy-based Bonfiglioli supplies the Grant-42’s drives, Italy-based Camozzi supplies its pneumatic components and Italy-based WAM supplies its screw conveyors. It uses sensors produced by Netherlands-based Zemic.

India: Adani Enterprises Limited subsidiary Adani Cement plans to establish a 5.0Mt/yr integrated cement plant at Shahbaj in Maharashtra’s Raigad district. BusinessLine News has reported that the company will invest between US$122m and US$135m in the project. It has acquired 10ha of land on which to build the plant.

Italy: Colacem is contemplating shutting down its Spoleto cement plant in Sant’Angelo, Mercole. The La Nazione newspaper has reported that a closure would result in the loss of 25 jobs. The producer acquired the integrated plant from Cemitaly in April 2019 and first suspended production later that month.

Croatia: Building materials producer Nexe Grupa invested a total of Euro15.3m in upgrades to its plants in 2020. This included subsidiary Našicecement’s capacity expansion at its Našice integrated cement plant. The producer also implemented alternative fuels substitution in the plant’s kiln line.

Nigeria: Dangote Cement has successfully issued 50bn fixed rate senior unsecured bonds. The total value of the multi-instrument issuance programme is US$734,000. The proceeds of the bond issuance will be used to pay for expansion projects, short-term debt refinancing and working capital requirements.