Global Cement Newsletter

Issue: GCW777 / 16 September 2026

Headlines


We focus on lime this week with an acquisition by Carmeuse in Argentina and a deal between Mississippi Lime Company (MLC) and Fortera. Plus, SigmaRoc bought Dolomitas in Lithuania last week and Martin Marietta’s acquisition of Lhoist North America (LNA) completed at the end of August 2026. Let’s find out more.

Belgium-based Carmeuse announced on 10 September 2026 that it had acquired a controlling stake in Argentina-based lime producer Caleras San Juan (CSJ). No value for the transaction was declared. Carmeuse did report that CSJ and its affiliates have a production capacity of over 0.75Mt/yr. It added that the company is “...well positioned to meet growing demand for lime across Argentina and central Chile.” The Valor Econômico newspaper reported that Carmeuse purchased an 80% stake in the business with manager and shareholder Raúl Cabanay retaining a 20% share. CSJ increased its production capacity from the mid-2010s and operates four Maerz kilns. The most recent of these kilns was lit in June 2026.

This transaction follows Carmeuse’s deal to buy a controlling stake in Chile-based Cbb for just under US$500m in 2025. That one was notable for both its lime and cement assets, since Cbb operated three integrated cement plants and one grinding plant at the time of the takeover. Although as Global Cement Weekly noted at the time, the profit from Cbb’s lime division was bigger than that from its cement division. At that time, we wondered whether Carmeuse might be tempted to divest the cement and concrete business but it doesn’t appear to have happened yet. The next step from here is how Carmeuse might use its lime plants and deposits in both Chile and Argentina to its commercial advantage. Options such as being the key supplier to certain key consumer industries such as lithium or copper on both sides of the Andes and synergistic benefits in procurement and logistics are obvious ones. On lithium for example, Carmeuse noted in its 2026 sustainability report that its acquisition of Cbb made lithium become the group’s second-largest end market for lime.

Meanwhile, in North America MLC signed an agreement with Fortera on 8 September 2026 to develop a commercial unit designed to produce over 0.3Mt/yr tons of low-carbon ReAct cement. Fortera’s ReCarb technology will be used to capture industrial CO₂ emissions from MLC’s production of high-calcium lime, converting the CO2 directly into cement. The partners have not said where the unit will be but they have said that it will add “domestic cement production capacity in the US.” One of MLC’s sites at Calera in Alabama, Ste. Genevieve in Missouri, Verona in Kentucky or Bonne Terre in Missouri might be the location. The agreement gives MLC one way to both deal with its CO2 emissions and create a new revenue stream. Graymont announced a similar deal with Fortera in mid-2025

This follows the news that SigmaRoc bought Akcinė Bendrovė ‘Dolomitas’ (Dolomitas) in Lithuania from its shareholders for €110m, with a further bill of €8m for certain non-core assets. Its target produces around 3.5Mt/yr of high-quality dolomite limestone, holds around 25 years of reserves and has the potential to extend this by an additional 20 years. SigmaRoc noted that Dolomitas is an “essential supplier to a significant network of companies and sectors in the Baltic States.” Its services also include logistics handling, through a network of its own trucks and open wagons for rail use and terminals.

As mentioned above, Martin Marietta’s acquisition of or combination with LNA completed in late August 2026. Readers can find more about this transaction here. Other recent lime news stories of note include an investment of around US$16m by the government of Papua New Guinea in late July 2026 into Pacific Lime and Cement’s (PLC) Central Lime project. In return the government received a 13% stake in the local subsidiary. The project intends to start quicklime production in the first quarter of 2027. The company wants to become the country’s first integrated lime and cement manufacturing operation.

All of the lime news stories covered above show the variety the industry can cover. Big deals by Carmeuse in South America, Martin Marietta in North America or SigmaRoc in the Baltics show similar commercial motivations to the kind of ones we normally cover in the cement sector. MCL’s (and Graymont’s) agreement with Fortera reminds us that lime manufactures too calcine limestone and increasingly face the same challenges in finding how to capture and/or use the CO2. Places like Papua New Guinea want to develop and companies like PLC are trying to help them.

And finally… as a reminder of the wider range of sectors that lime is used in, Switzerland-based sugar manufacturer Schweizer Zucker lit its new lime kiln last week. The Maerz HPS S2 lime kiln was put into operation in ‘sugar operating mode.’ Sugar beets started being processed and the first sugar of the 2026 campaign started earlier this week.


UK: Breedon Group has appointed Catherine Gibson as Managing Director, Cement, Products and Surfacing Solutions with immediate effect.

Gibson previously worked for Travis Perkins, becoming Divisional Managing Director: Specialist Merchants in 2025. This followed Managing Director roles for subsidiaries Keyline Civils Specialist and CCF from 2020. Earlier jobs at Travis Perkins from 2015 to 2020 included Tool Hire Managing Director, Regional Managing Director and Operations Director, East. Prior to this she worked for Aggregates Industries US as General Manager - Aggregate Industries Concrete South. Gibson is a graduate from the University of Liverpool.


Spain: Votorantim Cimentos España has appointed Fernando José Gutiérrez Pozo as the temporary Plant Manager of its Niebla plant. Rubén Sánchez was previously named as the director of its Niebla plant in mid-2025.

Gutiérrez previously worked as Maintenance and Systems Country Manager for Votorantim Cimentos España from 2023. Before this he worked for Amazon in maintenance engineering. Earlier in his career, Gutiérrez worked for LafargeHolcim España from the late 1990s to 2021 in maintenance positions eventually becoming Project Engineer and Major shutdowns manager. Gutiérrez holds a degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Cádiz, Spain.


US: The US government has removed tariffs upon cement imported from Canada. The announcement was made in a series of Presidential Proclamations released on 8 September 2026 and which took effect on 15 September 2026. A 50% tariff on a wide range of goods from Canada, including cement, was imposed in July 2026 with enactment from mid-August 2026.

Cement producers and consumers in the US had reportedly warned that the country does not produce enough cement for domestic demand, according to the Financial Post newspaper. National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA) President and CEO Nick Rhoad wrote a letter to the US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer in mid-August 2026 expressing concern about the tariffs and emphasising the potential impact on American precast concrete manufacturers. Republican Senator Susan Collins, representing Maine, also wrote to Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick warning that businesses in her state would be adversely affected by tariffs on cement imported from Canada.


France: Heidelberg Materials France has planned a restructuring that would result in the closure of its site in Ranville, Normandy. The producer said that the decision was part of its ‘ongoing optimisation’ of its European production network, adapting clinker supply to changing market demands, in line with a stronger focus on ‘the end product cement.’

The step comes after a ‘significant’ decline in cement volumes following weak construction demand in France due to the current economic environment. A total of 87 employees will be affected by the plant closure, who will be offered ‘redeployment’ to other sites in France.


Mexico: La Cruz Azul has resumed production at its plant in Tula de Allende, Hidalgo, after several years of inactivity, according to La Jornada Hidalgo news. Production is partly back online, with the plant producing 600t/day of white cement and aiming to produce 5000t/day of grey cement by mid-October 2026. Mario Francisco Morán Lagunes, plant manager, said that since the second week of September 2026, the calciner that produces white cement had been fully restored. The grey cement calciner is currently still being repaired, but is expected to come online in 30-45 days. Morán Lagunes also said that between 500-700 more workers were expected to be hired to complete the construction of a new production line. The plant is targeted to produce 10,000t/day of cement by March or April 2027.

In August 2026, the board of directors at Cooperativa La Cruz Azul announced an investment of US$320m to ‘reactivate’ the Hidalgo plant, including installing a new line.


Senegal: RIGA has completed kiln maintenance at Dangote Cement’s plant in Senegal. It posted to LinkedIn that it had replaced the tyre for the second kiln, including the required dismantling, installation, alignment and associated mechanical works. It said that it had executed the repair with a ‘strong focus on safety, precision, quality and efficient execution’ to prepare the kiln for reliable operation.


Saudi Arabia: Riyadh Cement said that it had signed an agreement with Samana Energy to purchase solar energy for a 25-year period. Under the agreement, Riyadh Cement expects to make average annual payments of about US$1.6m, over the contract period. The electricity would be purchased at a lower cost than its current electricity generation costs and below the cost of electricity supplied by Saudi Energy, said the company. Riyadh Cement would not be required to fund the project, subject to obtaining the necessary licences and approvals from the relevant authorities. Operations are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027.


Zimbabwe: Shuntai Investment’s 0.8Mt/yr Chegutu cement plant is now set for commissioning in October 2026, not September 2026 as was previously reported. Company administrator Jack Zhang said that construction is now complete, and test production runs were conducted in August 2026 ahead of commissioning. He said that the plant, which was initially scheduled for commissioning in May 2026, experienced delays due to disruptions in the procurement and shipping of equipment amid tensions in the Middle East, according to The Herald Zimbabwe.


Saudi Arabia: Riyadh Cement has awarded Tianjin Cement Industry Design and Research Institute a US$14.9m contract for the implementation of its ‘Light House’ project, which aims to improve the efficiency and sustainability of its operations. The contract has a duration of 24 months. The Chinese company will deploy digital technologies, automation, industry 4.0 applications, AI, advanced data analytics and process optimisation, as well as implement predictive maintenance and other solutions to improve energy efficiency.

The financial impact of the project will be reflected in Riyadh Cement’s financial results according to the implementation phases of the contract, with the operational and financial benefits expected to be realised progressively throughout the project period.


Romania: Holcim is preparing to invest more than €3.5m at its Valea Pravăț plant in Argeș county, as part of a project that aims to incorporate construction and demolition waste into the cement manufacturing process. The investment will go towards an installation designed to store, dose and transport crushed concrete from demolition works. On 3 September 2026, the Argeș County Environmental Directorate published Holcim Romania’s application for an environmental permit for the project, entitled ‘CDM Injection into the Clinker Cooler.’

The planned system will have a processing capacity of approximately 10t/hr and will include a metal storage hopper, a belt feeder, chain and belt conveyors, an electromagnetic separator to remove ferrous materials, dust removal filters and gravity-sealing flaps that connect the new system to the existing grate cooler. The investment is expected to be carried out between September 2026 and April 2027 and is part of the plant’s ongoing modernisation and efficiency improvements.


Russia: The Sebryakovcement plant in the city of Mikhaylovka was the target of suspected drone strikes that took place overnight on 15 September 2026, according to The New Voice of Ukraine. Explosions hit the plant, belonging to one of Russia’s largest cement producers, following regional missile and drone alerts. Footage posted to social media showed thick smoke rising over the plant, and an explosion was reported near one of the plant’s kilns, which emergency services attended. An oil refinery was also hit. Local officials have not yet confirmed the extent of the damage or reported any casualties from the attacks.


Armenia: Economy minister Gevorg Papoyan said that the current shortage in the cement market is due to disruptions in supplies from neighbouring countries. Ararat Cement is reportedly operating at maximum capacity, after coming under state management recently.

Papoyan posted to social media “In August [2026], Ararat Cement produced 95,300t of cement, about 16,000t more than in July 2026 and over 26,000t more than in June 2026. Ararat Cement exists today and continues to operate as a factory entirely thanks to decisions by the government and the National Assembly, under which, starting in 2019, we imposed a duty on imported cement. Had we not made this strategic decision years ago, there would be no cement at all on our market today.”

As part of proceedings to confiscate ‘property of illicit origin,’ according to PanArmenian news, Ararat Cement was transferred to the management and custody of the Armenian government after a decision by the Anti-Corruption Court.


Germany: Compressor specialist Aerzen will be presenting its latest products at Powtech 2026. The new equipment being showcased will include the direct-driven screw blower D16S (Delta Hybrid), the Aerzen Turbo AT125 from the new G6 range of turbo blowers and the DS75 double-stage air compressor. It markets its screw-type and turbo blowers on the basis of high energy efficiency.

The D16S Delta Hybrid screw blower, along with the D11S, has been introduced to allow users to target the lower volume flow range. It is intended to help system manufacturers and operators create more flexibility in the design of smaller performance ranges. The new generation of turbo blowers are designed to further increase efficiency, reduce the footprint of the equipment and are targeted at the aeration processes in the biological treatment stage as well as other applications. A newly designed control system with an internet of things connection also been added.

Aerzen provides technology for the transport of powders, bulk materials and solids. The Germany-based company was founded in 1864. It sells products including blowers, compressors, rotary lobe compressors and turbo blowers.

Powtech Technopharm, an exhibition for process technology, will take place on 29 September to 1 October 2026 at the NürnbergMesse in Nuremberg.


Argentina: Belgium-based lime producer Carmeuse Group has acquired a controlling interest in Caleras San Juan (CSJ), an Argentinian lime producer with an installed production capacity exceeding 0.75Mt/yr. CSJ and affiliates are reportedly well positioned to meet growing demand for lime across Argentina and central Chile.

"This acquisition represents an important milestone in the execution of our long-term growth strategy in Latin America," said Sebastien Dossogne, CEO of Carmeuse. "It further reinforces Carmeuse's commitment to investing in attractive markets where we can create sustainable value for our customers, communities, employees and shareholders."


Vietnam: Siam City Cement (SCCC) plans to expand its Hon Chong cement plant in Vietnam’s southern province of An Giang. SCCC CEO Ranjan Sachdeva outlined the plan during a meeting with standing deputy prime minister Pham Gia Tuc. SCCC operates in Vietnam through its subsidiary INSEE Vietnam. Sachdeva said that the group intends to expand its production with second and third production lines at the Hon Chong plant in the future. The new lines would ‘use modern technology, comply with Vietnamese regulations and focus on sustainable production,’ he noted. SCCC also plans to increase the use of alternative raw materials in cement production and reduce its clinker ratio.


Algeria: The port of Skikda recorded several exports of cement and clinker to Italy and Libya at the end of the week commencing 7 September 2026, with a total volume of 18,950t.

Three ships were deployed simultaneously at different quays in the port, according to the commercial director of the port. The vessel Mostein loaded 4600t of cement, bound for Italy. MV Yeba loaded 6750t of clinker, also for the Italian market. Meanwhile, the Princess Anna took on 7600t of bulk cement headed for Libya.


Tunisia: Carthage Cement posted a profit of US$8.5m in the first half of 2026, compared to US$9.6m in the first half of 2025, representing a decrease of 11%. The company's revenues stabilised at US$59m during the first six months of 2026, compared to US$63.7m during the same period in 2025, down by 6%. This decline is explained by the decrease in cement sales (local and export) of 8%, to nearly US$52m, and in quarry products of 7%, to US$3.7m.


Vietnam: Cement and clinker exports totalled 2.95Mt/yr in August 2026, worth US$110m. This was down 11% in volume and 10% in value year-on-year, according to the latest figures from the government’s National Statistics Office (NSO).

In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam earned US$951m from exporting 25.5Mt of cement and clinker, up by 10% year-on-year in value and 10% year-on-year in volume.


India: Adani Group is planning to raise US$2.5bn to refinance debt from the purchase of Ambuja Cements and ACC. It secured a US$3.5bn funding package for this in 2023. The proposed borrowing will be split into two parts. Endeavour Trade and Investment, a Mauritius-based special purpose vehicle owned by the Adani family, aims to raise US$1.5bn through a bridge loan with a tenor ranging from 18-24 months, according to Bloomberg. This will later be refinanced through loans from domestic lenders, including the State Bank of India and HDFC Bank. The group is in talks with several banks for financing, with the deal expected to be closed by the end of October 2026. There will reportedly be another US$1bn raised through another round of financing in 2027.


Brazil: Cement sales were 6.1Mt in August 2026, representing a 2% year-on-year increase, according to the National Cement Industry Union (SNIC). Sales from January to August 2026 reached 45Mt, a 2% increase from the previous corresponding period. SNIC said that the result maintains the positive sales trajectory amidst a gradual slowdown in economic activity, but that high interest rates, household debt and lower consumer confidence point to a more cautious outlook for the coming months. SNIC noted instability linked to the new US import tariffs, cooling demand, and creating uncertainties surrounding economic slowdown and the start of the election cycle. It said that the cement sector remains optimistic about sales seasonality. Historically, cement sales improve during the second half of the year.

However, SNIC president Paulo Camillo Penna noted that proposed labour law changes could ‘significantly’ increase the industry’s operating costs. 


Thailand: The Thai Cement Manufacturers Association has received two national recognitions for its progress towards net zero by 2050, TCMA received the Thai Climate Partnership: DCCE Climate Partner Award from the Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in recognition of its collaboration to advance climate action in Thailand. TCMA also received Trade Prestige Award 2026 at the Excellent Level from the Department of Business Development (DBD) and the Ministry of Commerce for the fourth consecutive year, recognising its contribution to industry competitiveness and Thailand’s economic development.

"These recognitions reflect the power of collective action,” said Surachai Nimla-or, chair of TCMA. “The transition to net zero cannot be achieved by any single organisation or sector. It requires collaboration that connects policy, technology, investment and implementation, both within Thailand and internationally. The next stage is about moving from individual initiatives and pilots to wider implementation and scale. We need an environment where technology providers, investors, governments, academia and industry can work together to develop solutions that are technically viable, economically meaningful and scalable."


Croatia: Non-hazardous waste will be sent to cement plants belonging to Holcim Hrvatska and Nexe at a cost of €357,500, according to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. The waste is being stored at the PPK Velebit site in Gospić. It consists of plastic, tyres and other waste, which will be used in by the cement producers as alternative fuel. The work is deemed ‘urgent’ and will be completed within 45 days. Tabak Grupa reportedly bid for the waste, but later withdrew from the contract.


Vietnam: Vissai Cement Group held a signing ceremony for strategic cooperation agreements to support the implementation of its Long An cement grinding project. In total, it signed five agreements: a credit agreement with Orient Commerical Bank; an EPC contract with Sinoma-Liyang; a supply contract for grinding equipment with Loesche; a construction contract for the port and foundation treatment of the grinding plant with VPCC Consulting and Construction; and another construction contract with Phuc Hung 7 Construction.

The company has six cement plants in Vietnam, and several overseas. Its total cement production capacity is above 30Mt/yr. The grinding plant will be in Long Can village, Tay Ninh province on a 13-hectare site. It will have a capacity of 3.5Mt/yr and cost US$135m. The plant will feature a vertical grinding mill supplied by Germany-based Loesche.


France: During the first half of 2026, Hoffmann Green reported revenues of €6.6m, up by 87% year-on-year from €3.5m in the first half of 2025. The company said that this was due to an increase in the volumes of its 0% clinker cement product. Sales volumes increased by 104% to 40,000t. It made a loss of €9.18m compared to €8.40m previously.

Hoffmann Green said that it is ‘maintaining its strong commercial momentum’ in 2026, with activity levels traditionally higher in the second half of the year. It confirmed its production target of 100,000t of 0% clinker cement in 2026. It aims to reach its operational break-even target by the end of 2027.


Mauritania: Nouakchott is experiencing a ‘severe’ cement shortage, according to local press. This has led to disruption for construction workers, who have reportedly had to wait for days without work. The reason for the shortage is unknown. Traders have speculated that it may be due to electricity shortages that are affecting cement plants. Other construction materials are also affected. Cement is reportedly almost ‘non-existent’ in the market, with available quantities not enough to meet demand.


Algeria: A shipment of 22,000t of white cement was loaded at the port of Annaba as part of an export operation to Guatemala, according to a statement by the Annaba port company.

The company Biskria Ciment shipped the product from Berth 9 at the port.


Peru: Cement shipments increased by 7% year-on-year to 1.2Mt in August 2026. 1.1Mt of cement was produced during the month, an increase of 8%, and 0.95Mt of clinker was produced. 7030t of cement was exported, representing a decrease of 36%, and 72,761t of clinker was exported, which is a decrease of 1% compared to August 2025. Peru imported 12,408t of cement in August 2026, an increase of 16% compared to the same month of the previous year. 60% of imports arrived via the Tacna bus terminal from Chile and 40% came from the Matarani port via Vietnam. 0.11Mt of clinker was imported. 68% arrived at the port of Callao via South Korea and Ecuador, and 32% arrived via the port of Pisco, also from South Korea.