Global Cement News

Uganda: Lands, Housing and Urban Development minister Judith Nabakooba said that the government and the Naita-A-Tepeth Communal Land Association have finalised a lease agreement to enable Tororo Cement to build Uganda’s first clinker plant in Katikekile, Moroto District. Nabakooba said that the project began in 2023, and will reduce clinker imports and conserve foreign exchange.

According to a social media post by the ministry, the agreement includes the sale of 202 hectares to Tororo Cement for the plant site, the lease of 3824 acres to the Uganda Investment Authority and the titling of institutional land for local public use.

Philippines: Concreat Holdings Philippines, a majority-owned subsidiary of DMCI Holdings, announced the full operations of the new production line at its Solid Cement plant in Antipolo City. The upgrade raises the plant’s capacity from 1.9Mt/yr to 3.4Mt/yr.

Concreat Holdings Philippines CEO Herbert Consunji said “This expansion is a pivotal step in Concreat’s turnaround. With higher capacity, a more efficient kiln and the use of Semirara coal, we are rebuilding momentum and lowering production costs - laying the groundwork for long-term recovery.”

US: France-based Fives Group has launched new subsidiary Fives FCB USA in Alabama to supply the North American market with low clinker blended cement and supplementary cementitious material production equipment and services. Products being promoted include the FCB Horomill, the FCB TSV Classifier and the FCB Rhodax. The unit will share premises with Fives’ North American Construction Services company.

Deputy general manager Alain Cordonnier said “The opening of our subsidiary in the US marks a significant milestone for Fives FCB. We are excited to bring our innovative technologies and expertise to the US market, and we look forward to building strong partnerships with local industry leaders.”

Pakistan: Cement despatches rose by 13% year-on-year to 3.34Mt in April 2025, driven by an 8% increase in domestic sales to 2.52Mt and a 35% rise in exports to 0.83Mt from 0.61Mt, according to All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) data. Total despatches in the first ten months of the current financial year declined by 0.3% year-on-year to 37.3Mt. Domestic sales dropped by 6% to just under 30Mt, while exports rose by 29% to 7.36Mt.

Spain: Molins has reported that a cement market slowdown, exacerbated by tariffs and adverse weather in Spain and Argentina, affected its financial performance during the first quarter of 2025. The company reported sales of €327m, a 3% year-on-year decline compared to the same period of 2024, although like-for-like sales rose by 6%.

Molins’ earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) came to €87m, a 3% decline compared to the same period of 2024. Again the like-for-like result was a 9% improvement.

Molins reported that higher average sales prices and lower costs due to ongoing efficiency plans, mitigated the unfavourable impact of exchange rates, particularly the Mexican and Argentine Pesos.