Puerto Rico: The Puerto Rico Economic Development Bank (BDE) has reported an increase in cement sales, reaching 1.41 million 43kg bags in October 2024, the highest since March 2023. This marks a 15% rise from October 2023, with recent months averaging 1.28 million bags.

BDE President Luis Alemañy said "We see a recovery in the construction sector, particularly in cement sales, which predicts a good impact on infrastructure development and job creation in Puerto Rico. Although the 2024 fiscal year closed with a 1% decrease in cement sales compared to the previous year, the start of the 2025 fiscal year shows a 6% increase in sales between July and October. This allows us to anticipate a progressive recovery in this key sector for our economy."

Japan: Taiheiyo Cement has reported net sales of US$2.86bn for the six months that ended on 30 September 2024, a 5.5% increase compared to US$2.71bn a year earlier. However, the company’s operating profit for the six-month period was US$115m, a decrease of more than 50% compared to US$325m in the first six months of the prior financial year.

China: Shandong Province will curb cement production from 15 November 2024 to 15 March 2025 to reduce air pollution. The measure, similar to last winter's, was announced by the Province's industry and environment ministries. Shandong's reliance on inefficient captive coal-fired power plants means the measure could reduce coal demand significantly.

Japan: Sumitomo Osaka Cement has reported net sales of US708m for the six months to 30 September 2024, a decline of 0.3% compared to US$710m a year earlier. The company’s net profit slumped to US$6.1m in the six-month period from US$37.5m in the first six months of the 2023 financial year, a fall of 87.4% year-on-year.