Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has backed a recommendation from the Tariff Commission (TC) to repeal import duties on Ordinary Portland Cement and Blended Cement. The so-called safeguard measures were originally introduced in October 2019 for a period of three years, according to the Philippine Star newspaper. The latest investigation by the TC was started due to a request by the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CEMAP). However, it found that the domestic cement industry was generally profitable and it said, “There is no existence of an imminent threat of serious injury and significant overall impairment to the position of the domestic cement industry in the near future.” CEMAP said it was saddened by the recommendation of the TC and that it would jeopardise the local sector’s progress.

Greece: Titan Group says that its updated 2030 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as consistent with the levels required to limit a global temperature increase to 1.5°C. With the new targets the cement producer intends to tackle direct (Scope 1) emissions, indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity (Scope 2), and also other indirect emissions from the supply chain (Scope 3).

The company plans to reduce Scope 1 (gross), 2 and 3 (gross) GHG emissions covering in produced and purchased cement and clinker, by 25.1% per tonne of cementitious product sold by 2030, from a 2020 base year. Within this target it intends to reduce Scope 1 GHG emissions (gross) by 22.8% per tonne of cementitious product and to reduce Scope 2 GHG emissions by 58.1% per tonne of cementitious product from a 2020 base year. It also intends to reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions from the use of sold fossil fuels by 42% from a 2021 base year. A Global Cement estimate suggests that it aims to reduce its specific net Scope 1 CO₂ emissions to around 520kgCO₂/t of cementitious product in 2030 compared to 654kgCO₂/t in 2021.

Kenya: East African Portland Cement (EAPCC) has launched a sustainable cement product called Green Triangle Cement. Trade and Investments Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria attended the official launch for the product, according to the Business daily newspaper. The product is a new masonry cement suited for mortar works. It is produced using less clinker. It is certified under the 22.5 standard via the Kenya Bureau of Standards but the company says it has been ‘boosted’ to 28 strength for a wider range of applications. The EAPCC is currently aiming to increase its range of cements to five brands.

Mexico: Cemex says it has validated its 2030 decarbonisation goals through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for alignment under their new 1.5°C scenario. Under the new target the group plans to reduce its Scope 1 (direct) emissions by 47% less of CO₂ per ton of cementitious material and 35% less of carbon content in concrete compared to a 1990 baseline. A Global Cement estimate suggests that Cemex has set its 2030 target to around 425kg CO₂/t of cementitious product compared to 800kg CO₂/t in 1990 and 591kg CO₂/t in 2021.

The group also intends to reduce its Scope 2 (indirect) emissions via a 65% increase in sustainable electricity consumption. It aims to reduce its Scope 3 emissions through a 25% reduction in CO₂ per tonne of purchased clinker and cement, a 30% reduction in transport emissions, a 40% reduction of scope 3 emissions per tonne of purchased fuels and a 42% reduction in absolute scope 3 emissions from the use of traded fuels compared to a 2020 baseline.