Ireland: Ireland’s cement industry believes that it can reduce fossil fuel use by 90% over the next 15 years by increasing the use of solid recovered fuel (SRF) in kiln operations. A report commissioned by Cement Manufacturers Ireland (CMI), the lobby group that represents the industry, indicated that the cement sector used around 325,000t of SRF in 2024. The report was compiled by consultancy firm SLR, and states that Ireland’s four cement kilns rely on SRF, and that cement production accounts for 22% of residual waste treatment through the use of SRF.

The country has capacity to produce 430,000t of SRF, with potential to increase to 860,000t subject to investment and regulatory approvals. However, it warned that recycling targets and any downturn in cement production could reduce availability and demand for the fuel.

Chair of CMI David O’Brien said “The use of SRF contributes to reduced fossil fuel consumption, diverts waste from landfills, lowers greenhouse gas emissions and supports Ireland’s broader circular economy initiatives. To secure SRF as a sustainable long-term solution for Ireland’s cement sector, co-ordinated efforts are essential among government entities, the waste industry, cement manufacturers and academic institutions. Addressing legislative challenges, market fluctuations, and operational risks will be critical for the future success of SRF in decarbonising the cement industry.”

Japan: Domestic cement demand in Japan is projected to fall to 30Mt in the 2026 financial year, below the 31Mt recorded in 1964, when Tokyo hosted the Olympic Games for the first time, according to the Japan Cement Association. Demand reached a peak of 86.3Mt in 1990 and has reportedly been declining since then. In the 2024 financial year, it fell for the sixth year running to 32.7Mt, driven by reduced construction activity, labour shortages and work reforms that limited overtime. The industry said that construction projects now take longer to complete, reducing cement consumption and demand.

According to the Japan Times, Mitsubishi Ube Cement will halt production at part of its Kyushu plant in March 2027, converting the area into a recycling hub for waste plastics and other materials. Tokuyama is also suspending some facilities at its Tokuyama plant in Yamaguchi Prefecture, and plans to sell its cement sales business to Taiheiyo Cement.

The association said that lower production could reduce the sector’s ability to respond to a sudden increase in demand for reconstruction supplies following a natural disaster, such as the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Masako Sasahara, a senior research analyst at Meiji Yasuda Asset Management, said “The drop in shipments caused by work-style reforms will probably persist for a while. However, replacement demand and new demand tied to public infrastructure and other projects should eventually help put a floor under the decline. Cement demand is expected to increase in the US, Australia and Southeast Asia," adding that expanding exports will be essential to sustaining domestic cement production.

Türkiye: Turkish conglomerate Sabanci Holding will sell its remaining 39.7% stake in Akçansa to Heidelberg Materials, according to an exchange filing made on 20 April 2026. Sabanci said that Heidelberg Materials exercised its right of first refusal after a binding offer valued the company at US$1.1bn. Following the transaction, Heidelberg said that its stake in Akçansa will double to 79.44%.

Akçansa operates three cement plants, 26 ready-mix concrete plants, five aggregate quarries and five cement terminals across Türkiye’s Marmara, Aegean and Black Sea regions.

India: UltraTech Cement has commissioned three new cement grinding units in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh; Patratu, Jharkhand; and Vizag, Andhra Pradesh. The company said the units will strengthen regional supply across North India, Jharkhand and coastal Andhra Pradesh. Following the commissioning, UltraTech Cement’s installed domestic cement capacity has increased to 200Mt/yr. Its global capacity, including overseas operations of 5.40Mt/yr, has reached 206Mt/yr.