Gabon: Cimaf is preparing to commission its third US$43m cement grinding line, scheduled for September 2026. The project was presented to the President of Gabon on 20 May 2026 by a delegation led by Cimaf CEO Anas Sefrioui. It will more than double the company’s production capacity from 0.85Mt/yr to 1.85Mt/yr. It is also expected to reduce cement imports and provide 350 jobs for local people. Gabon reportedly has a demand for 0.9Mt/yr of cement.
Australia: Adbri’s cement plant in Adelaide has received approval to burn more plastic waste as alternative fuel for its kiln, in a decision a local council is seeking to challenge in the courts, according to ABC news. The South Australia Environment Protection Authority (EPA) earlier in July 2026 approved a six-week trial permitting Adbri to use greater amounts of refuse-derived fuel (RDF). The plant had previously been allowed to burn up to 32t/hr, with a maximum 20% concentration of plastic. From Tuesday 21 July 2026, RDF will fuel the kiln at a maximum rate of 10t/hr and 50% plastic concentration, although the EPA's website says ‘it is not expected that [rate] will be sustained on an ongoing basis.’ Port Adelaide Enfield Council last week voted to seek ‘urgent legal advice’ about pursuing an injunction on the trial. The council also wants the government to enact 24-hour stack monitoring.
Port Adelaide Enfield mayor Claire Boan said "We have not seen nationwide data of any kind whatsoever that actually explains this is safe for our community, and that's a great concern.
It's not about closing them down. They've been there for a hundred years, for sure, but we've been here building our homes and that's really important and should be considered as well."
Adbri said that it has diverted at least 2.7Mt of waste that would have otherwise been sent to landfill since it began using alternative fuel in the early 2000s. A spokesperson said "The RDF proposed for use in the trial is a highly processed engineered fuel that must meet strict EPA standards and quality controls before it can be used."
EPA compliance director Steven Sergi said that pollutant monitoring would occur at different spots, including at the site's stack, and that there would be ‘ambient air quality’ monitoring in the community. He said data would be collected on emissions of various particle types, and of SO2 and NOx. "There's parameters set in the licence - as soon as those parameters are exceeded, particularly in relation to air quality, the trial ceases immediately," he said. Sergi added that the EPA would be conducting unannounced inspections at the site and that a report was expected within 90 days of the trial's completion.
El Salvador: According to data from the Central Reserve Bank, El Salvador recorded a demand for 18.6 million 42.5kg bags of cement between January and April 2026. This represents an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025, when 16.6 million bags were required. The construction sector grew by nearly 14% month-on-month in April 2026, driven by various public and private construction projects.
Marcelo Arrieta, Holcim El Salvador’s CEO, said that the company has reached a production milestone, with a 45% increase in cement production and a 15% increase in clinker production year-on-year at its Maya plant in Metapán.
Sri Lanka: Around 1000 residents of Katunayake staged a protest on 19 July 2026 against a proposed grinding plant on the Columbo-Katunayake road near Sri Lanka’s international airport. Protesters said that the Central Environment Authority had approved a building plan for an area of 3857m2 in December 2020, but that the original approval had now been changed to build a facility occupying 12,925m2. The company is Melwa Cement, according to The Morning Telegraph newspaper.
Protesters said “This is a highly sensitive environmental zone with a dense population and a major tourism zone. Airport engineers have pointed out that the air pollution caused by cement dust from the plant in close proximity to the runway could affect aircraft engines and machinery and equipment in the airport.” They also pointed out that three schools and the Negombo lagoon, which provides livelihoods for thousands of fishermen, were in close proximity.
