Mexico: Holcim Mexico, part of Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim, has launched the new EcoEtiquetas label. The label designates products conforming to a set of ecological criteria set by the company. These include a certain level of recycled content or a reduced carbon footprint, as specified by the label on each product. The label is now found on Holcim Apasco, Maestro and Supra Cemento cement bags. These products say they offer CO₂ reductions from 30 – 60% compared to Ordinary Portland Cement.

Chief executive officer Jaime Hill Tinoco said, “This is one more step on our way to becoming a Net Zero Company, but also when our clients buy our cements with EcoEtiquetas, they will have the certainty that they are collaborating in the care of the environment by using or distributing products that have been thought not only in terms of quality and performance, but also in ensuring a better world for present and future generations.”

Brazil: LafargeHolcim Brasil, part of Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim, is reportedly seeking to sell its assets. The Diario do Comercio newspaper has reported the rumour without detailing its sources. LafargeHolcim has not commented on the matter. However, local government officials in Borosso, Minas Gerais said they were waiting for an official confirmation from the cement producer before they could comment. The newspaper also speculated that the group may have already notified the Brazil government of its intent to sell. Under Brazilian law, any sale would require the approval of the Administrative Council for Economic Defence (CADE). The producer operates three cement plants and two grinding plants in the country.

Turkey: Türkçimento, the Turkish Cement Manufacturers’ Association, says that it has held the sector’s first virtual cement conference and exhibition with the conclusion of Digitalcem on 21 April 2021. The event focused on the need to pioneer in the sector through innovative thinking. Topics included circular economy, sustainable and competitive products, green energy transformation, digital cement anddeveloping technologies. 22 companies hosted booths and over 360 participants took part in the two-day event.

Chair Tamer Saka said, “We keep close track of the European Union climate and environmental policies and the harmonisation process of Turkey’s cement sector, through the target of being a pioneer in our sector’s work performed within the framework of sustainability. In this scope, we started the Turkish Cement Sector Carbon Roadmap project at the end of 2020. We will present Turkey with the sector's roadmap by scrutinising the data on greenhouse gas emissions of almost all cement plants in Turkey.”

Nigeria: The Senate of Nigeria has called for the federal government to introduce policies, such as tax breaks, to encourage local investments in cement production. The upper legislative chamber made the resolution following a debate about a bill intended to relax rules surrounding cement policy in the country, according the Punch newspaper. It also requested the federal government to provide more industrial incentives and protections such as offering concessionary loans and larger tax incentives for new entrants in order to boost production of cement, reduce prices and encourage more ‘valuable’ local producers.

Senator Lola Ashiru, one of the co-sponsors of the bill, noted that cement was one of the few building materials in which Nigeria was self-sufficient with production capacity reportedly over twice as high as estimated consumption in 2018. However, he said that cement prices in the country were about 240% higher than the global average.