Colombia: Switzerland-based construction materials producer Sika has invested an undisclosed sum in relocating production from a concrete admixture and mortar plant in Colombia to a larger facility in Barranquilla. Sika Americas regional manager Christopher Ganz said, “Our latest investment in Barranquilla will help us capture the potential of the dynamic construction market in the Caribbean region. Our aim is to grow more quickly than the construction market in this region.” The market grew by 15% in 2019.

Sika also manufactures building products for the Colombian market at facilities in Bogotá, Medellín and Duitama.

Turkey: Germany-based safety specialist Schmersal announced its entry into business at a new branch in Istanbul, Turkey on 21 January 2020. In partnership with Satech Safety Technology, it will supply its full range of products and comprehensive services to the Turkish and Azerbaijani cement sectors. Bariş Yücel, managing director of Schmersal Turkey, said, "Schmersal is already a well-known manufacturer on the Turkish market. Our goal is to become customers’ first choice supplier.”

Germany: Holcim Deutschland has announced the successful development of Holcim EcoPact Zero, a net-zero carbon concrete. It says that it is in talks with customers in Germany and will make the first deliveries of EcoPact Zero in early 2020. Holcim Deutschland CEO Thorsten Hahn said, “The use of clinker-reduced cements and the optimisation of the binder content play a central role. The still unavoidable CO₂-footprint is fully offset at with the support of various certified environmental projects.”

Russia: ASK Cement is set to begin development of a new integrated cement plant on a greenfield site near Yekaterinburg in Sverdlovsk Oblast. Germany-based Aumund has announced that it will supply KZB and KZB-Q pan conveyors, BZB bucket apron conveyors, SDG clinker silo discharge gates, BWZ chain bucket elevators and BWG-L belt bucker elevators to the project in early 2020. Aumund designed the line in collaboration with ASK Cement and its engineering partner Sibniiproject Cement Design Institute.