UK: The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has raised renewed concerns over the UK’s proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which will see importers of cement and other hard-to-abate materials pay an emissions tax from 1 January 2027. The association has questioned the work being done to prepare for the rollout of the policy and the efficacy once implemented. The UK government launched its second public consultation on the mechanism on 10 February 2026.

Diana Casey, executive director for energy and climate change, cement and lime at the MPA, said that the consultation was a welcome step but noted that significant issues remain unresolved. “With less than a year to get this right, it’s essential we iron out any issues now, so the mechanism genuinely protects domestic producers and ensures fair competition,” she said.

“But with the CBAM rate not scheduled to be tested until the fourth quarter of 2026, we are still a long way from knowing whether the system will work in practice. Delayed testing risks locking in a system that isn’t fit for purpose and removes the chance to course correct. We also still don’t have clarity on the default values importers will use for emissions reporting, in the event that actual verified emissions can’t be provided. Without robust, transparent defaults, there’s a real risk of under reported emissions and an uneven playing field for UK manufacturers,” she added.

Paraguay: Cement consumption continues to rise, with annual demand now reaching 38 million bags, according to Gerardo Guerrero Agusti, president of the National Cement Industry (INC). Total cement capacity across all producers is between 40-42 million bags per year. INC reported sales of over 1 million bags of cement in January 2026, reportedly driven by the continued expansion of the construction sector, according to local press. Guerrero said that the company ended 2025 with 11.4 million bags of cement sold, positioning it to hold just over 30% of national market share.

In 2025, INC produced 576,000t of cement, an increase of 43,000t over 2024 and nearly 200,000t more than previous years. The company’s installed capacity currently allows for the production and delivery of 12 to 13 million bags annually. For 2026, INC has set a target to produce 575,000t of clinker and 600,000t of cement, or about 13 million bags over the course of the year. INC plans to upgrade its cement mill separator, which is expected to increase output by approximately 1.5 million bags, or the equivalent of an extra month of production.

China: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in China declined by 1% in the final quarter of 2025, bringing the annual total down by an estimated 0.3%, according to Carbon Brief. This marks nearly two consecutive years of ‘flat or falling’ emissions since March 2024. Emissions from fossil fuels reportedly increased by an estimated 0.1%, but this was offset by a 7% decline in emissions from cement and other building materials.

Kyrgyzstan: Cement production in the Chui region doubled to 2Mt in 2025, according to data from the National Statistical Committee. The share of cement plants in the region rose to 52%, up from 36% in 2024. The Ministry of Justice’s electronic registry indicates that four registered legal entities in Chui region are officially listed as cement producers.