UK: Following a successful trial in mid 2024, Aggregate Industries will deploy the ‘first electric cement truck in the UK’, according to the company, with more to follow. The trucks will be based at the Cauldon cement plant, alongside the company’s existing fleet of 60 trucks. The vehicles are equipped with a 600kW motor to deliver both bulk and bagged cement. Aggregate Industries has partnered with Lomas Distribution, its contracted haulier for the UK domestic market.

Gareth Durnall, general manager at Lomas Distribution, said "We are excited to work together with Aggregate Industries in adopting sustainable practices."

Steve Curley, Aggregate Industries’ managing director of cement division, said "Introducing electric trucks in our operations marks a pivotal shift towards efficiency and sustainability and is all part of our ongoing effort to decarbonise the business and contribute to our own net zero Strategy."

Saudi Arabia: Eastern Province Cement Company raised its sales by 29% year-on-year to US$156m in the first half of 2024. Its net profit grew to US$34.1m, up by 20% year-on-year.

Ukraine: Companies belonging to the Ukrcement association increased cement production by 24% year-on-year to 3.8Mt between January and June 2024, according to a press release.

Clinker production also rose by 13% year-on-year to 3Mt.

The statement said "Despite the enormous challenges of the war, the enterprises of the Association of Cement Producers of Ukraine Ukrcement continue to adapt to new realities and produce strategically important products – cement.”

Lithuania: Akmenės Cementas has completed a €30m upgrade to its Akmenės cement plant. BNS News has reported that the upgrade will enable the plant to raise its alternative fuels (AF) substitution rate to 90%. The work included the construction of supporting infrastructure, including a storage facility. The Lithuanian Environmental Project Management Agency granted the project €4.3m under its Climate Change Programme.

Akmenės Cementas sold 1.1Mt of cement in 2023, 74% of it on the local Lithuanian market, with the remainder exported to other EU markets.