Spain: Cement consumption in Spain reached 12.3Mt in the first nine months of 2026, representing a 3% year-on-year increase, according to the latest data from cement industry association Oficemen. Consumption in September 2026 reached 1.3Mt, which represents a decrease of 8% year-on-year. Between October 2025 and September 2026, consumption reached 17Mt, 6.5% more than in the previous corresponding period, representing an increase of 1Mt.

Oficemen CEO Elena Guede said that the sector has now experienced ‘three consecutive months of decline’ and that the 8% contraction recorded in September 2026 was ‘more pronounced’ than the organisation had anticipated. In her view, this data confirms the slowdown the sector has been observing since mid-2025.

Cement exports fell by 20% in September 2026 compared to September 2025. Likewise, the cumulative total for the first nine months of 2026 declined by 15% compared to the same period in 2025, falling below 3Mt. Between October 2025 and September 2026, exports reached 3.9Mt, 16% less than in the previous 12 months. Oficemen said that all indicators linked to the foreign market ‘continue in negative territory,’ in contrast to the growth that national consumption still maintains throughout 2026.

Germany: Heidelberg Materials has decided to pause its GeZero project in Geseke ‘in its current form’ and to ‘further optimise’ the project setup, according to a press release from 22 October 2026. It said that, despite all efforts, the implementation of the project could not progress as planned because current framework conditions were ‘not yet sufficient’ to support a ‘robust’ business case. In particular, it said, the relevant value chains are not yet mature enough to ensure that CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure solutions will be available on time, and at an acceptable level of economic risk for the company. The decision has no direct impact on the ongoing operation of the Geseke cement plant.

Christoph Streicher, General Manager Germany, said ”The Geseke site remains of great importance to Heidelberg Materials. The current pause is a decision made after careful consideration, to successfully plan the next steps for the GeZero project in the long term under the right economic and regulatory conditions.”

Heidelberg Materials said that its current CCUS projects in Europe and North America will will be implemented first, for which the necessary conditions for a successful business case are reportedly in place.

Russia: Soyuzcement, the Russian cement association, has introduced an initiative that prohibits the import and circulation of cement into Russia from outside the Eurasian Economic Union without labelling, according to GOST 31108-2020. The decision was based on imported cement in Makhachkala, Dagestan, which was found to be in soft containers weighing 1-2t without labelling. Cement shipments from outside the Eurasian Economic Union can cross the Russian border only if there is a valid certificate of conformity.  

US: CRH said that it has completed its acquisition of US-based aggregates producer Arcosa.

CRH previously announced on 22 June 2026 that it had reached an agreement to acquire Arcosa for a total value of approximately US$8.5bn.