Global Cement News

Afghanistan: The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has awarded three new contracts for the construction of cement plants in Herat, Kandahar and Parwan. Xinhua News Agency has reported the total value of the contracts as US$500m.

The government aims to achieve national self-sufficiency in cement production by rebuilding destroyed cement plants and building new ones. Plans are in motion to grant further contracts for the construction of cement plants in Jawzjan, Logar and Samangan.

South Korea: Korea Cement has plans to conduct a capital increase of US$36.3m. The producer said that it will use the funds to invest in its operations.

Vietnam: Siam Cement Group (SCG) has announced the launch of a new 20% reduced CO₂ cement in Vietnam. Việt Nam News has reported that SCG achieved the reduction through technical upgrades to its cement production, alternative fuels co-processing and waste heat recovery. The producer said the move is a response to growing demand for lower-carbon alternatives in the country’s cement market.

Deputy country director for Vietnam Tanakorn Theeramankong said "For the first time, SCG has introduced a new low carbon cement to the Vietnamese market, marking a significant step forward in our journey to achieve net-zero emissions. By pursuing advanced technologies to develop low carbon cement, we not only reduce our environmental impact but also set a new standard for Vietnam’s construction industry."

India: The newly re-elected Indian government has approved the construction of 20m new rural homes up to the end of the 2030 financial year on 31 March 2030. This will entail the construction of new units at a rate of 4m/yr. The Business Standard newspaper has reported that the government raised rural homebuilding subsidies by 67% to US$2400/home, and by 69% to US$2640 in hill country. It said that this is necessary due to a rise in the price of building materials.

India: A worker has died after being caught in a belt at Ultratech Cement’s Manawar cement plant in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar District on the morning of 17 June 2024. Local press reported that 30-year-old Tikam Singh succumbed to his injuries after becoming trapped in the equipment. The police have launched an investigation into the incident.