Global Cement News

Germany: Rohrdorfer has inaugurated a new pilot plant for tempered clays at its Rohrdorf cement facility in a ceremony attended by regional and state officials. They included Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Ministry of the Interior Daniela Ludwig, who cut the ribbon alongside Rohrdorfer managing director Mike Edelmann.

The pilot plant has been operational since July 2025 and activates up to 50t/day of raw clay through thermal treatment. Tempered clays can replace clinker in cement, reportedly helping to cut emissions by around 30%, according to the company. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection and the EU, and will receive up to €8.65m in funding.

Daniela Ludwig said “With this new plant, the Rohrdorf cement plant is once again proving that it is one of the most innovative companies in our region. Decarbonising the cement industry is a key task if Germany is to achieve its climate goals as planned.”

By the end of 2026, Rohrdorfer’s Net Zero Emission team will determine the optimal composition of raw clays and refine the thermal treatment process, paving the way for a large-scale facility capable of achieving up to 60% CO₂ reductions.

Mike Edelmann said “We’ve achieved a lot within our plants, but our influence ends at the factory gates. The lack of planning security regarding CO₂ transport and storage, uncompetitive electricity prices and an uncertain mining landscape are holding us back. We urgently need more support from policymakers if climate targets are to be met.”

India: Ambuja Cements, part of the Adani Group, will build a new cement grinding unit within the industrial estate of Adani Gangavaram Port. The project, spread across eight hectares, will be developed entirely within the port’s existing industrial zone. The facility will use industrial by-products such as slag and fly ash sourced from nearby steel and power plants. Raw materials will be transported via rail and sea to reduce CO₂ emissions associated with logistics.

Indonesia: Indocement, through its subsidiary PT Semen Bosowa Maros, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the city of Makassar’s government to collaborate on the use of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) generated from the city’s waste management system.

The agreement was signed by Syamsul Rijal, Director of PT Semen Bosowa Maros, and Munafri Arifuddin, Mayor of Makassar, in the presence of company representatives.

Syria: The Ministry of Economy and Industry has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iraq’s Vertex Investment Group to rehabilitate and expand the Hama Cement plant. The agreement covers the rehabilitation and operation of the plant’s third line, increasing capacity from 3300t/day to 5000t/day of clinker within 13 months. It also includes the construction of a new 6000t/day line, which will raise the plant’s total production capacity to around 11,000t/day over the next five years. The MoU also provides for worker training, application of international quality standards, and compliance with environmental and occupational safety requirements.

Denmark: TotalEnergies, through its subsidiary TotalEnergies E&P Denmark, has signed a Farm-Down Agreement with CarbonVault, the Danish affiliate of German cement producer Schwenk, for the Bifrost carbon capture and storage (CCS) project. Under the deal, TotalEnergies will operate the project with a 45% interest, while CarbonVault will hold 35% and state-owned oil and gas company Nordsøfonden 20%. The Bifrost Project covers two offshore CO₂ storage licenses located about 200km west of the Danish coast and forms part of TotalEnergies’ broader North Sea CCS portfolio. Schwenk has identified Bifrost as its preferred solution for storing future emissions, aligning with its European decarbonisation strategy.

Arnaud Le Foll, senior vice president new business – carbon neutrality at TotalEnergies, said “We look forward to working with our new partner to ensure the successful deployment of the Bifrost Project, a cornerstone of Denmark’s national ambition to establish a European hub for CO₂ storage.”

Completion of the transaction remains subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals.