Global Cement News

Saudi Arabia: Arabian Cement Company said in its 2024 annual report that work is underway to increase the production capacity of its fifth production line by the fourth quarter of 2025. The company also said it is progressing on a project to connect its Rabigh plant to the Saudi Electricity Company grid under the liquid fuel displacement programme.

It forecast that cement demand will rise in 2025 due to government and Public Investment Fund-backed development projects in the Makkah region. The sector is reportedly operating at 63% capacity due to oversupply and weak demand, according to Zawya News, although an interest rate cut in September 2024 led to a revival of real estate projects.

Libya: The Municipal Council of Zliten called on Libyan Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Aldabaiba and the Ministry of Defence to urgently intervene in a dispute involving armed groups gathered outside the Arab Union Construction Company cement plant. The council demanded the withdrawal of forces from outside the city and urged peaceful solutions and negotiations. The intervention request follows an arrest order issued by the Attorney General for several individuals accused of halting operations at the plant.

Kenya: Cement consumption rose by 27% year-on-year in January 2025, up by 4% in December 2024, according to provisional data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Cement production also grew by 21% year-on-year in January following more than a year of contraction. In the 12 months to January 2025, cement consumption fell by 5% year-on-year and cement production dropped by 6% year-on-year.

France: CBMI has completed installation of a new rotary kiln at Eqiom’s Lumbres plant for the ‘K6 Project’. The plant is now reportedly carbon-neutral and is equipped with an oxyfuel kiln to reduce CO₂ emissions. The supplier said via social media that its team ‘delivered precise execution despite tight space and complex challenges’.

Eqiom announced back in 2024 that it would upgrade the Lumbres plant to expand its capacity and reduce emissions by 20% by 2026.

Sweden: Skanska and Cemvision will enter into a partnership, which will combine Skanska’s experience in low-carbon construction solutions and Cemvision’s circular cement technologies. The collaboration will begin in spring 2025 and will see Skanska scale up a new generation of cement with up to 95% lower climate impact compared to traditional Portland cement.

The signed letter of intent marks the first step towards a future off-take agreement, in which Skanska will secure access to Cemvision’s cement for implementation across its projects. The company is planning its first pilot projects for the near future.