Ecuador: Saint-Gobain has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority stake in IMPTEK Chova del Ecuador, a producer of waterproofing construction chemicals. When the deal completes it will be France-based company’s first manufacturing presence in the country. IMPTEK sells its products locally but also exports to several Latin and Central American countries. The completion of the transaction is subject to approval by competition authorities and expected in the first half of 2024. No value for the purchase has been disclosed.

Japan: Sumitomo Osaka Cement, Sumitomo Corporation, JFE Steel, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha and Woodside Energy have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly conduct a business feasibility study looking at setting up a CO₂ hub in the Setouchi and Shikoku regions. It will examine how CO₂ can be collected from different industries, transported to a hub port and then shipped to Australia for sequestration. A signing of the MOU was held at the ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-Creation Forum in the presence of Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ken Saito.

Sumitomo Osaka Cement operates two integrated plants in the Setouchi and Shikoku regions at Ako and Kochi respectively.

Iraq: A 1200m dry gas pipeline feeding the Najaf cement plant has been commissioned. The project was the first external assignment carried out by the Oil Pipelines Company, according to the National Iraqi News Agency. The plant is operated by the Southern Cement Company.

Czech Republic: Heidelberg Materials subsidiary Českomoravský Cement will change its name to Heidelberg Materials CZ on 1 January 2024. Germany-based Heidelberg Materials’ other subsidiaries in the country - including Českomoravský Beton, Českomoravský Šterk, Pískovny Morava and Tras-Servis - will retain their names but appear under the holding company brand. Českomoravský Cement operates two integrated plants in the country.