Global Cement News

Australia: Cement Australia, a joint venture between Heidelberg Materials Australia and Holcim Australia, will acquire the cementitious division of the Buckeridge Group of Companies (BGC) in Perth for US$800m, according to The Australian. The acquisition includes a cement grinding unit with ‘significant’ capacities, along with operations in cement, concrete, quarry, asphalt, transport and a materials technology centre. Cement Australia reportedly ‘fended off competition’ from Boral, Adbri and Mass Group in the process. BGC has stated that it retains a ‘significant’ business with about 1000 employees across its other sectors. The acquisition remains subject to regulatory approval, but is expected to close in the second half of 2025.

UK: Nuada and Carbfix have signed a memorandum of understanding to deliver integrated carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions targeting emissions reduction in the cement, lime, steel, waste-to-energy and bioenergy sectors. The partnership combines Nuada’s carbon capture technology with Carbfix’s underground CO₂ mineralisation method.

Nuada’s technology uses solid sorbents, metal organic frameworks, and vacuum pressure swing adsorption to capture CO₂ from the source while addressing barriers like energy consumption and cost. Carbfix’s storage method accelerates the mineralisation process by injecting CO₂ into basaltic rock, where it reportedly transforms permanently into stone within two years.

Indonesia: Suvo Strategic Minerals has reached a non-binding agreement to form a joint venture (JV) with PT Huadi Bantaeng Industry Park (PT HBIP) to commercialise and manufacture low-carbon cement and concrete products that contains nickel slag and other byproducts. The JV will produce geopolymer cement and related products in Indonesia.

PT HBIP will supply nickel slag and other raw materials from its stockpiles at Bantaeng Industry Park and provide infrastructure, including land, port facilities and utilities like power and water. Suvo’s subsidiary, Climate Tech Cement, will deliver the low carbon cement formulations.

Aaron Banks, Suvo’s executive chair, said “The formation of this partnership is a key milestone for the company as it adds significant scale for potential future operations. The consumption of Portland cement within the broader region is around 300 - 400Mt/yr. Huadi, in alliance with other smelters, produce around 15Mt/yr of nickel slag. This partnership has the potential to lock in the necessary supply chains and give the company the best chance for success in delivering this low carbon cement to market.”

Banks also confirmed that Suvo has started preliminary offtake discussions for its low carbon cement product with ‘large users’ in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

India: Adani Group has announced a US$750m investment in Rajasthan, with US$375m allocated over the next five years to green energy, cement production and infrastructure development. The group plans to add four cement units, increasing its total capacity by 6Mt/yr, according to BusinessWorld magazine.

Nepal: Construction activities in Nepal have been impacted as a result of private cement manufacturers raising prices, allegedly through cartelisation, according to Online Khabar news. According to Ravi Singh, president of the Federation of Contractors’ Associations of Nepal, contractors are struggling to purchase cement at the increased rates.

He said “On one hand, contractors have not been paid for completed projects, and on the other, rising cement prices have pushed many to consider halting construction altogether.”

He accused manufacturers of cutting production by up to 40% to create an artificial shortage, calling it “a tactic to manufacture scarcity and exploit the situation.”

Many contractors have already stopped purchasing cement at the new prices. Cement producers defended the price rise, claiming it corrects previous underpricing caused by ‘unhealthy competition’. The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection has held discussions with producers, giving them seven days to justify the price hike and submit their price lists.