Norway: Heidelberg Materials Northern Europe has announced the launch of a new methanol-powered cement carrier in partnership with the Hartmann Group and the Norwegian NOx Fund. The vessel is scheduled to begin operation in Norway in the first quarter of 2028. It is expected to cut CO₂ emissions by up to 6000t/yr compared to conventional fossil-fuel ships. The vessel was selected following a competitive tender involving six shipping companies. The Hartmann Group will design, own and operate the vessel, with Cyprus-based InterMaritime providing technical management after delivery. In early 2025, Heidelberg Materials applied for financial support, and the project received US$5.9m from the Norwegian NOx Fund, without which the vessel would reportedly have been too costly to develop.

Knut Omreng, director of logistics at Heidelberg Materials Northern Europe, said “This vessel cuts emissions by 80% and increases our overall transport efficiency. A 10-year contract signals our willingness to support innovation and build lasting partnerships.”

India: My Home Cement will build a new plant in eastern India, which will produce slag-based composite cement. The move is aimed at strengthening the company’s footprint in the region. Clinker will be transported from My Home Cement’s existing operations in southern India and blended at the new facility with locally sourced blast furnace slag and fly ash.

Gebr. Pfeiffer was selected to supply a MVR 6000 C-6 vertical roller mill, equipped with an 8200kW drive. The comprehensive scope of supply includes all components from raw material hoppers through to cement silos. The project is being carried out in close collaboration between Gebr. Pfeiffer (India) and Gebr. Pfeiffer (Germany), with customer support and plant design handled by Pfeiffer’s engineering team in Noida.

Egypt: A total of 243,000t of imported coal is set to be received at Egyptian ports during the week of 12 December 2025 for use by cement companies, according to data from the Maritime Transport Sector. East Port Said will receive 150,000t of coal aboard the Seacon Oceania for the National Cement Company of Beni Suef. Alexandria Port will receive 57,800t of coal for El Sewedy Cement, while Dekheila Port is scheduled to receive 55,000t of petcoke from Spain for Assiut Cement.

The shipments reportedly support a broader strategy to increase domestic cement production and boost exports. The first shipment of 20,000t of calcined petcoke was exported through Adabiya Port, with an export value of US$2m.

Türkiye: Titan has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire 100% of Traçim Çimento, which operates a 2.5Mt/yr integrated cement plant near Istanbul. The plant supplies the local market and can export to neighbouring countries and the US. A joint solar power project with the sellers is also planned.

The deal strengthens Titan’s operations in western Türkiye, where it already owns a grinding plant and pozzolana quarry in the Marmara region. It also complements the group’s export network to the US. The purchase price is approximately US$190m. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.