Global Cement News

Bangladesh: Crown Cement has approved the purchase of 1.34 hectares of land at West Mukterpur in Munshiganj at a cost of US$1.1m, according to a company disclosure. The acquisition is reportedly part of the company’s ongoing expansion strategy. Crown Cement’s total production capacity currently stands at 5.7Mt/yr, with the new land purchase set to strengthen its manufacturing base.

Canada: WorkSafeBC (WSBC) has fined Lafarge Canada’s Richmond cement plant in British Colombia more than US$488,000 following the death of a worker at the site on 19 November 2020. The work safety body found that a large fan at the site had failed, causing debris to strike the employee who sustained fatal injuries.

During the investigation, WSBC found the fan's impeller had been repaired and refurbished around five months before the accident, but that “The firm failed to ensure the installation, inspection, testing, and repair of its equipment was done as specified by the manufacturer or a professional engineer.”
It added that Lafarge Canada, part of Holcim, had also failed to make sure that a qualified person had checked that the equipment was safe before operation resumed. Richmond Royal Canadian Mounted Police worked with WorkSafeBC on the investigation but determined that there had been no criminality involved.

Guatemala: Ultracem Guatemala has launched a new 45.2 grade of bagged cement, which it says is the strongest structural cement on the national market. It is designed for projects that demand maximum performance, safety, and technical support. The new product meets the highest international standards, including ASTM and COGUANOR 41095, and is the result of a strategic investment in technology and local development. The launch of the new product coincides with the first anniversary of the company’s production plant in Guatemala, which was inaugurated in 2024.

Slovakia: Cementáre Cemmac has installed a US$4m solar power plant at its Horné Srnie plant in the Treniansky district of the country. The plant will produce over 4600MWh of electricity per year, to be consumed directly by the plant. This will reduce CO2 emissions by 4500t/yr. The facility has a 15-year technology guarantee and will operate until at least 2050.

Azerbaijan: The total value of the materials production by Azerbaijan’s construction materials sector was US$460.5m in January-July 2025, according to the State Statistical Committee. This represents a 5.8% decline compared to the same period of 2024. Cement production fell by 3.2% year-on-year over the same timeframe.