Global Cement News

Mexico: The Mexican National Chamber of Cement (CANACEM) has warned that the US government’s proposed reimposition of a 25% tariff on imports of cement from Mexico may trigger a ‘competitiveness crisis’ in the US, with dire consequences for North America as a whole. Mexico exported 1.5Mt of cement to the US in 2024. This corresponds to 7% of US cement imports and 1.4% of the country’s total consumption. The El Norte newspaper has reported that CANACEM sees the current situation as an opportunity for Mexican and US policymakers and stakeholders to increase their mutually beneficial initiatives, citing the example of a proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on a region-wide scale.

CANACEM president José María Barroso said "In addition to incentivising more sustainable production, this would promote greater integration and strengthen the regional market. The Mexican cement industry is ready to work with our government and our trade partners to find solutions that promote greater regional integration."

Vietnam: The General Department of Vietnam Customs recorded exports of cement and clinker of 29.7Mt in 2024, down by 5% year-on-year from 2023 levels. Producers and exporters generated US$1.14bn in revenues from the exports, down by 14% year-on-year.

Việt Nam News has reported that the Philippines topped the list of importers of Vietnamese cement, with 8.01Mt (27%), down by under 1%. Bangladesh imported 5.49Mt (19%), up by 11%, and Malaysia imported 1.68Mt (6%), down by 3%.

Indonesia: Indonesian Cement Association (ASI) chair Lilik Unggul Raharjo has called for a more ‘robust’ approach to production overcapacity in the cement sector. In a statement by the ASI he lobbied for the government to strengthen its ban on the construction of new plants, according to the Jakarta Post newspaper and Kontan. At present the moratorium applies to obtaining licences via the country’s integrated electronic licensing system (OSS). Lilik also requested a better legal framework to protect the industry.

The government says it is using the block on investment in new cement plants to support the local sector. Restrictions are in place for regions such as Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan and Sulawesi. However, the government is ‘open’ to new plants being built in areas that have no existing units including Papua and Maluku.

ASI data shows that cement sales reached 77Mt in 2024 with a capacity utilisation rate of 65%. Domestic sales fell by just under 1% year-on-year to 65Mt in 2024. Exports grew by 10% to 12Mt. The ASI expects domestic sales of cement to increase by up to 2% in 2025.

Germany: The German Cement Works Association (VDZ) has launched its new Cement Carbon Class (CCC) labelling system for cement. CCC labels inform customers of the embodied CO₂ emissions of cement, with Classes A to D signifying 100 – 500kg CO₂/t. Meanwhile, those below 100kg CO₂/t will class as CCC Near Zero. The labels are currently available for cement producers to adopt on a voluntary basis.

India: Shiva Cement raised its sales to US$23.4m in the nine months of its 2025 financial year, up by 1% year-on-year from US$23.1m in the corresponding period in the 2024 financial year. Nonetheless, the company's net loss grew by 58% year-on-year, to US$10.2m.