Brazil: The Brazilian Portland Cement Association (ABCP) has joined with the Brazilian street cleaning, waste management and biogas associations in launching the Brazilian Waste Energy Recovery Front for the reuse of waste in energy production. The partners estimated that some 14.5GWh/yr of energy is available for generation from Brazil’s 79Mt/yr of solid urban waste alone. The ABCP said that it was enthused by the possibilities the waste holds for cement producers, and urged the Environment Ministry to ‘reduce regulations that hinder its use.’

Ethiopia: Samuel Halala, the director of Ethiopian Chemical and Construction Inputs Industry Development, says that the Abay Cement plant is 60% complete and due to start operation in 2021. The 2.5Mt project is located near Degen in Amhara Region, according to New Business Ethiopia. It has an investment of around US$260m. Once completed it is expected to create 1500 jobs.

Halala added that the country’s 21 cement plants have a production capacity of 17Mt/yr but have a capacity utilisation rate of around 60%. Only 14 plants are currently active, producing 11.5Mt/yr.

Philippines: Eagle Cement says it will continue to provide food packages containing rice and tinned food to 18,000 families impacted upon by the coronavirus outbreak. The Manila Bulletin has reported that the provision will not end with the partial easing of the country’s lockdown but will continue until no longer needed.

Eagle Cement chairman Ramón Ang said, “Eagle Cement is committed to continue helping our partner communities where we operate, during the crisis and beyond. We were able to expand the reach of our relief operations and extend assistance to more people in need including front liners in Bulacan and to families in our community in Cebu,” where the company is planning to build a new integrated cement plant.

"The livelihoods of many residents of our communities have been affected by this pandemic and do not have the means to provide for their families. We hope that our relief operations are able to help them in addressing their crucial needs during this vulnerable time. No matter what crisis our fellow Filipinos may experience, they can rely on Eagle to support them. As a company, it is our duty to help and serve," said Ang.

Nepal: Udayapur Cement Industry has resumed clinker production after a closure period of over two months. The 800t/day cement plant was forced to close both production and sales due to government-mandated lockdown measures in response to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Himalayan Times newspaper. It has now resumed operation using social distancing rules.