Colombia: Holcim Colombia has announced that it will deliver 7t of cement, financial contributions from its employees and technical assistance for home recovery to support communities affected by the earthquake on 10 August 2026 in the department of Chocó. The initiative will be carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and will prioritise the stabilisation of basic infrastructure and urgent repairs in the most vulnerable areas. Holcim said that the ‘first’ 7t will be specifically directed towards priority interventions in infrastructure. Employees in Latin America will contribute a day’s salary, and the company will match this contribution, which will be channelled through the ‘Colombia, One Heart’ foundation and UNICEF.

Afghanistan/Iran: A meeting between Afghan and Iranian trade delegations has finalised a contract to buy 50,000t of cement worth US$2.5m. The Taliban administration did not release further details about the timing of when the agreements would take effect. The meeting reportedly focused on expanding trade and transit, with both parties agreeing on increased movement of cargo trucks, easier conditions for traders and the removal of obstacles at the border.

Image: l'Hebdo du Vendredi

France: Workers at the Ciments Calcia plant in Couvrot are preparing to go on strike, according to L’Hebdo du Vendredi news. The reason has been stated as: ‘staff reductions, with the number of employees dropping from 142 to 132; unfilled voluntary departures; and increasingly difficult working conditions.’

In September 2023, a large number of employees mobilised to block entry to the plant and denounced ‘unsuitable’ working conditions and a ‘toxic’ work environment. The strike lasted 54 days and received the support of local politicians. However, Fabrice Chamarac, secretary of the Social and Economic Committee (CSE) and the CGT union branch, said that operations were resumed without an official agreement to end the conflict, ‘relying solely on verbal commitments from management.’

Now, Chamarac says “We see employees completely terrified and people breaking down, including managers. In one year, they've summoned about 10 people. Sanctions, suspensions, warnings and threats are commonplace. Some even received their dismissal letters while they were on vacation. We've taken several cases to the labour court with our lawyer."

The CGT union has organised a general staff meeting for 3 September 2026, together with managers and the head of human resources. Chamarac said that unless the situation ‘calms down’, the meeting will likely result in a strike notice that will begin the next day.

Germany: In 2025, Loesche was commissioned by Zement- und Kalkwerke Otterbein to deliver, install and commission a grinding plant, including vertical roller mill, in Großenlüder-Müs. The new grinding plant forms part of the company’s investment package NovaCEM 2027. Loesche said that the system ensures that various materials can be ground separately and without the need for mechanical changes to the mill when changing products. It is currently intended for cement raw meal, limestone and ground granulated blast furnace slag. The vertical roller mill supplied has a capacity of up to 115t/hr and is fitted with an LSKS-type classifier and Pronamic grinding parts.