Russia: Sberbank has acquired a 100% stake in GFI Investment Limited, owner of Eurocement. RosBusinessConsulting News has reported that the acquisition followed an increase in GFI Investment Limited’s overdue debt to Sberbank in mid-2020. Sberbank in turn reported the largest increase in its overdue corporate loans in its history in July 2020. The bank says it does not have operational control of the group. However, it is reportedly “Looking for a strategic investor” for the asset.

Eurocement is the largest cement producer in Russia operating 10 plants domestically and abroad.

Nigeria: LafargeHolcim subsidiary Lafarge Africa recorded sales worth US$471m in the first nine months of 2020, up by 10% year-on-year from US$427m in the corresponding period of 2019. Its recurring earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) increased by 15.7% to US$108m from US$93m.

Chief executive officer (CEO) Khaled El Dokani said, “Our robust results for the first nine months reflect the strong recovery of the demand in the third quarter and the successful implementation of our ‘Health, Cost & Ccash' initiatives.” He added that this was despite the impact of coronavirus and negative local currency effects.

India: Ramco Cements recorded sales of US$301m in the first half of the 2021 financial year, down by 15% year-on-year from US$354m in the first half of the 2020 financial year. Its profit was US$46.4m, down by 4% from US$48.4m.

The company said, “Business operations were severely disrupted during April 2020 in view of lockdown imposed by the government due to Covid-19. After relaxation of restrictions by the Government, business recovered gradually and is continuing with weak demand, especially in urban/semi-urban markets. The company continues to comply with the various operating guidelines issued by the relevant regulatory authorities from time to time. As per the current assessment of the company, there is no material impact on the carrying values of trade receivables, inventories and other financial/non-financial assets.”

Mexico: Cemex has signed an agreement with Canada-based Carbon Upcycling Technologies to “improve the processing of residue or by-products of industrial processes to produce nanomaterials.” Carbon Upcycling Technologies’ equipment increases the cementitious properties of residues such as fly ash and steel slag by physical processing them into nanomaterials and adding captured CO₂, enabling the partnership to produce concrete additives with “greater reactivity and a lower carbon footprint” than their raw materials.

Cemex Ventures Head Gonzalo Galindo said, "This agreement with Carbon Upcycling Technologies is yet another example of our determination to deliver net-zero CO₂ concrete products globally by 2050. Our roadmap to achieve this global ambition involves continuing to innovate our technology internally while continuing to seek complementary innovation outside of Cemex through investments in start-ups, consortia, and high-value collaboration agreements such as the one reached with Carbon Upcycling Technologies."