South Africa: Natal Portland Cement (NPC) has completed an upgrade to its kiln at the Simuma plant in Port Shepstone, increasing cement production capacity from 1.5Mt/yr to 2.8Mt/yr, according to Freight News. Since China-based Huaxin Group acquired NPC in December 2023, it has committed US$56m to drive expansion.

Huaxin Group president Li Yeqing said “The Simuma expansion is a testament to Huaxin’s commitment to strengthen and grow the NPC brand in South Africa. The investment in the latest and most modern technology will help NPC increase its production capacity and grow its market share.”

NPC operates three cement plants, a limestone quarry, two aggregate mines and six ready-mix concrete operations across Durban, Port Shepstone and Newcastle.

Lebanon: Cement deliveries increased by 49% year-on-year to 0.85Mt in the first four months of 2025, compared to 0.57Mt in the same period of 2024, according to Credit Libanais’ Economical Research Unit. Deliveries rose by 23% in April 2025 to 0.24Mt, up from 0.19Mt in March 2025. The rebound has been attributed to improved political and security conditions.

Spain: Cementos Carral will expand its facilities at the Punta Langosteira Outer Port with four new silos, at a cost of more than €2m. The project will add 1242m² to its existing 3300m² plot, according to local press. To date, the company said it has managed operations of 120 vessels and moved over 700,000t of cement, and aims to increase its logistics capacity in response to growing demand. The expansion has entered the public information phase following publication in the Official State Gazette, with a 20-day window for comment.

UK: Titan Group will build and operate a processing and beneficiating facility for ponded fly ash at the former Fiddler’s Ferry power station in Warrington, following a long-term agreement with site owner Peel NRE. The plant will process 300,000t/yr of wet fly ash from 2027, with scope to double the capacity at a later date. Titan will use the material in low-carbon cement, while Peel NRE will receive help to advance restoration of the site. The ash will reportedly meet BS EN 450 quality standards.

Peel NRE director Kieran Tames said “We are very pleased to have reached this agreement with Titan, which follows years of hard work fully evaluating the potential to transform the waste ash material from the power station directly into a low-carbon construction product. This agreement has the potential to accelerate the recovery of waste ash from the lagoons, enabling their restoration and enhancement as envisaged by the development framework that was approved by the local authority last year. Through our partnership, existing customers will continue to source ash from the site, ensuring continuity of supply for their applications.”