Global Cement News

Türkiye: Fatih Yücelik, the chair of the Turkish Cement Manufacturers' Association (Türkçimento) and the CEO of Aşkale Çimento, has died at the age of 46. He was reportedly involved in a road traffic accident, according to the Hürriyet newspaper.

Yücelik worked as a senior executive in the construction sector. He was also the vice chair of the board of directors and chair of the executive board of Erçimsan Holding. He held a number of positions with non-governmental organisations, including that of Eastern Anatolian Honorary Consul to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, deputy chairman of the board of directors of Cement Industry Employers' Union (ÇEİS) and as a board member of Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK).

Portugal: Cimpor has appointed Pedro Reis as its vice chair. He will "support the company's growth strategy across multiple markets and business segments, strengthening its position as a global leader in the cement and construction materials sector," according to the Correio da Manhã newspaper.

Reis previously worked as the Minister for the Economy from 2024 to mid-2025 under the administration of the so-called Democratic Alliance. Notably roles in his career include working as the chair at AICEP, the Portuguese Agency for Foreign Trade and Investment, from 2011 to 2014. He then worked in banking for BCP Group from 2014 to 2021, becoming Head of Institutional Banking at Millennium BCP in 2019. Reis is a graduate of the Católica Portuguesa University and the Harvard Business School.

Oman: Raysut Cement has appointed Khalid Ramis as the General Manager of its Salalah plant and Raashid Ali as its Group Chief Financial Officer.

Khalid Ramis holds over 30 years of experience in the bank, finance and cement industries. He has worked for Raysut Cement since 2019. Before this he held positions with Bank Muscat and BankDhofar.

Raashid Ali holds over 30 years of financial experience in the automative, facilities management, real estate and retail sectors. He has held senior roles at DAMAC, Jumeirah International and Renaissance. He is a chartered accountant.

UK: Cement production dropped to 7.3Mt in 2024, the lowest level since 1950 and around 50% of 1990 volumes, according to the Mineral Products Association (MPA). Imports have nearly tripled over the past 20 years, rising from 12% of sales in 2008 to 32% in 2024, leaving supply chains more dependent on volatile international markets.

Diana Casey, executive director for cement and lime at the MPA, said “We’re calling on the government to help put domestic production on a level playing field so that it can compete fairly with imports. The UK has a choice: to build these vital development projects with UK-made cement, or to build them with imports – sending jobs, investment and economic growth overseas.”

The MPA said that high energy, regulatory and labour costs are threatening competitiveness and jobs, with 40% of cement produced in the Peak District and 60% across the rest of the UK. The group said the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) due in 2027 must be paired with a procurement policy that prioritises domestic cement.

France: Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies recorded revenues of €3.5m in the first half of 2025, up by 8% year-on-year, driven by increased cement sales volumes. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were -€5.7m, down from -€3.1m in the first half of 2024. Net income stood at -€8.4m, compared to -€5.0m in the first half of 2024, following higher depreciation and amortisation charges.

Production reached 19,640t, more than 2.5 times the 7833t produced in the first half of 2024, already exceeding total 2024 volumes. Cement was supplied to over 130 sites nationwide, producing more than 60,000m³ of clinker-free concrete delivered by 10,000 truck mixers. The company targets 50,000t of cement sold by the end of 2025 and positive EBITDA, subject to the signing of new licensing agreements.

Co-founders Julien Blanchard and David Hoffmann said “The first half of 2025 was characterised by a significant increase in our production volumes. Unlike the first half of 2024, during which we received a €2m entry fee from our American partner, all of our half-yearly revenue for 2025 is generated from cement sales, reflecting its growing adoption within the construction sector. Finally, we reiterate all of our objectives for 2030 and are targeting sales of 50,000t by the end of 2025, with the second half of the year traditionally being more favourable to the company's activity.”