Spain: The Supreme Court of Spain ruled in favour of tax authorities in their pursuit of Cemex España for its accounting of reported losses in the 2006 – 2009 financial years on 21 November 2023. The authorities imposed a Euro456m fine on the company following an audit in July 2011.

Mexico-based Cemex said that is has ‘sources of liquidity’ available to pay the fine, which it now anticipates that it will do before the end of June 2024.

Cemex ‘categorically’ disagrees with the imposition of the penalty. The group maintains that the losses Cemex España declared were not used and since 2012 have not been accounted for in its financial statements.

India: ACC has received a renewed licence for its Rajasthan limestone mine, allowing it to increase its extraction of limestone there to 1.5Mt/yr. Local press has reported that the mine presently produces 1Mt/yr of limestone for use at the company’s 1.5Mt/yr Lakheri cement plant in Bundi District.

Bolivia: The Federation of Private Entrepreneurs of Santa Cruz (FEPSC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) awarded the Sustainability Seal to Itacamba on 11 November 2023. Local press has reported that the award recognises the successes of the producer’s upgrade to the grinding unit at its Yacuses cement plant. The upgrade reduced the energy footprint of the plant’s cement by 1.5kWh/t and eliminated 0.3% of its total CO₂ emissions.

Bolivia: Sociedad Boliviana de Cemento (SOBOCE) has successfully completed and launched its new brand redesign. The Periódico La Patria newspaper has reported that the company’s new logo comprises two circles forming an S, a ‘harmonious image’ which also implies the infinity symbol. The colour palette is green, because of its association with sustainability.

SOBOCE chief executive officer, Francisco Shwortshik said "SOBOCE has accumulated almost a century of history, in which time it has contributed significantly to the construction of this country, from its monumental works to the homes in which families have invested their dreams. But it also represents the future, a future marked by innovation and sustainability, and we wanted all this to be reflected in our new corporate image.”