Bolivia: The Bolivian state-owned cement company Ecebol in Oruro will resume operations at its clinker kiln between 21-25 July 2026 after a year of inactivity. Rommel Mallo Ordoñez took over as plant manager in June 2026. The previous manager reportedly only operated the kiln for two or three months a year, according to local press. The plant will operate at 72% of its operating capacity due to a lack of maintenance since 2019.

The plant underwent an inspection on 10 July 2026, and received criticism for its management of cement sales. Administrative and bureaucratic problems affecting cement sales were cited, along with allegations of hoarding. The company is scheduled to be monitored, and a follow-up visit is planned for August 2026.

Argentina: Total cement despatches in Argentina fell by 1% year-on-year to 803,147t in June 2026, and accumulated despatches in the first six months of 2026 fell by 3% year-on-year to 4.67Mt. Domestic despatches fell by 1% year-on-year to 800,302t in June 2026, while exports fell to 2846t from 5250t in June 2025. Imports rose to 195t in June 2026 from 147t in June 2025.

Spain: Cement consumption in Spain is expected to reach 17Mt by the end of 2026, 2% more than the previous year, according to estimates by Oficemen. It has lowered its initial forecast by one percentage point due to the slowdown in residential visas and economic and political uncertainty.

The cement industry association's scenario includes around 150,000 homes approved during the year, 5.6 million m² of non-residential construction and an investment in infrastructure close to €13bn. Between January and May 2026, consumption increased by 7% to 6.78Mt, and March and April 2026 saw double-digit growth. Between June 2025 and May 2026, growth stands at 12%, although Oficemen expects a moderation during the second half of 2026, when the data will begin to be compared with the high levels recorded from July 2025 onwards. The organisation believes that Spain would need to exceed 20Mt/yr to address the accumulated housing deficit, estimated at around 750,000 units, and the infrastructure needs associated with population growth and tourism activity.

Afghanistan: Construction work on the second phase of the Jabal Saraj cement plant in central Parwan province began on 9 July 2026. The plant will have a production capacity of 1.8Mt/yr of cement, according to Amu news. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, the governor of Parwan and other officials.

Abdul Salam Hanafi said "If this plant is completed successfully, we hope it will meet the country's domestic demand for cement and may even create the capacity to export cement to other countries."

Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi said increased domestic production would help lower cement prices and contribute to greater stability in Afghanistan’s construction sector. All financial and technical aspects of the project are reportedly being funded and implemented by state-run company National Development Corporation. According to the company, all stages of production, including clinker production, will be carried out at the plant.

The plant began operations in 1958, but has been marked by repeated shutdowns due to conflict, aging machinery and weak infrastructure. In 2018, the former government’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum announced plans to put the construction of a second phase out to tender. At the time, the investment was expected to be US$170m, with a capacity of 1Mt/yr of cement, but this was not completed before the collapse of the government in August 2021. In 2023, a contract for the first phase of the project was signed with a Qatar-based company for a reported investment of US$220m. Officials have not explained how the newly announced second phase relates operationally or financially to the earlier agreement. It has also not been disclosed whether the 5000t/day capacity refers to the second phase or to the projected capacity of the expanded plant.