Global Cement News

Bolivia: The municipal government of Santa Cruz de la Sierra has signed an agreement with Itacamba Cemento to recycle thousands of end-of-life tyres (ENDTs) into alternative fuel for cement production, according to the El Deber newspaper. The initiative was implemented through the Municipal Waste Management Company (Emacruz).

Under the agreement, discarded tyres collected from landfills will be transformed into thermal energy for use in Itacamba’s cement kilns, reducing waste and fossil fuel consumption. The tyres will be incinerated at temperatures exceeding 1400°C, with monitoring and gas-capture systems employed to prevent harmful emissions.

Mayor Jhonny Fernández said “We guarantee the responsible disposal of thousands of tonnes of tyres that would otherwise cause pollution or become breeding grounds for diseases like dengue. This is our tangible contribution to a healthier environment and better quality of life for our citizens.”

Itacamba Cemento general manager Marcelo Morales said “Co-processing is a globally recognised waste management method that complies with the waste hierarchy. Our kiln enables the complete and safe destruction of non-recyclable materials.”

Japan: Austria-based UNTHA shredding technology has appointed Sun Earth as its official partner for regional sales, system design and service of its industrial shredders in Japan. The agreement expands UNTHA’s global presence to around 40 countries. The partnership responds to rising demand for environmental technologies in Japan, particularly for waste-to-energy and recycling applications. UNTHA’s XR, ZR and RS shredder models will support the production of refuse-derived fuels and the recycling of valuable materials.

Germany: Economy Minister Katherina Reiche has announced a €6bn industrial decarbonisation initiative that, for the first time, includes carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies within the country’s climate protection contracts. The programme targets energy-intensive industries such as cement, as Germany navigates stringent climate targets amid concerns over industrial competitiveness. Companies have until 1 December 2025 to register projects for next year’s bidding round, which is scheduled to begin in mid-2026, pending parliamentary budget approval and EU state aid clearance, according to Reuters.

Under 15-year contracts, the government will subsidise part of the cost for companies transitioning to low-carbon production, protecting them from energy and carbon price volatility. Contracts will be awarded through competitive auctions, prioritising projects with the lowest subsidy per tonne of CO₂ saved, alongside binding emission-reduction milestones. Industry groups have welcomed the inclusion of CCS and the flexible contract design, describing the programme as a pragmatic step toward reconciling climate objectives with the economic pressures facing German industry.

UAE: Asian Paints has announced that its subsidiary, Asian White Inc. FZE, has begun commercial production at its new white cement manufacturing facility in Fujairah. The plant, has an initial capacity of 265,000t/yr, and marks Asian Paints’ entry into the white cement market as part of its broader diversification and international growth strategy. It previously announced its proposed entry into the white cement market back in 2022.

Brazil: The cement industry closed the third quarter of 2025 on a positive note, with sales reaching 6.1Mt in September 2025, up by 4.6% year-on-year. From January to September 2025, cumulative sales stood at 50.3Mt, representing 3% year-on-year growth, according to preliminary figures released by the National Union of the Cement Industry (SNIC). The sector’s performance reflected mixed economic signals, with a robust labour market balancing the effects of high interest rates, rising defaults and elevated household debt. The unemployment rate fell to 5.6% in the quarter ending in August 2025, alongside record levels of formal employment and wage growth of 1.4%.

Despite these gains, overall economic activity has shown signs of slowing in the second half of 2025, with industry confidence stabilising in September 2025 after three months of decline. Given this context, SNIC projects a moderate 2% increase in cement consumption for 2025, supported by continued demand from housing and infrastructure projects.

“The cement industry demonstrates resilience by maintaining positive performance based on a sales recovery that began in 2024,” said Paulo Camillo Penna, president of SNIC. “However, the increased uncertainty in the economy creates an environment of caution. Our projections for 2025 reflect this moderation, but the focus on social housing and sustainable infrastructure solutions such as concrete paving will continue to drive consumption and support Brazil’s economic, social and environmental development.”