China: NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers (NACC) has placed another order for a HeatPower 300 waste heat recovery system from Climeon on a second cement carrier, to be built at Zhejiang Xinle Shipbuilding Co. and delivered in 2027.

The 38,000t vessel will run exclusively on green methanol and is expected to cut CO₂ emissions by over 60% compared to conventional vessels, reportedly avoiding around 180,000t of CO₂ emissions over 10 years. The HeatPower 300 will generate up to 300kW of carbon-free electricity from engine cooling water and exhaust gases.

EU: The European Commission intends to withdraw a proposal aimed at combating so-called ‘greenwashing’, by ensuring companies’ environmental claims are accurate, substantiated and independently verified, according to MSN News. The proposal was initially presented in March 2023, as part of the broader European Green Deal legislative framework and was expected to go ahead in a matter of days, after reported ‘successful talks.’

Poland’s EU Council presidency said it is “ready to enter constructively into the trilogue and go ahead as planned until there is a clear decision from the Commission.”

A Parliament negotiator said “It is unacceptable that the Commission blatantly interferes with the progress made by co-legislators on this file.”

The Commission has not confirmed whether its College of Commissioners has formally decided to withdraw the proposal. Beyond the immediate legislative impact, the move raises broader questions about the Commission's authority to retract its own proposals. A 2015 Court of Justice ruling allows proposal withdrawals under strict conditions, such as in the case of institutional deadlock or the proposal becoming obsolete. Neither case appears to apply to the Green Claims Directive.

Pakistan: The Supreme Court has granted a two-week stay to cement producers, suspending a recent ruling that required higher royalty payments on limestone. Earlier, the Lahore High Court had ordered producers to pay royalties based on 6% of the ex-factory price of cement or clinker. Producers argue that the levy is ‘disproportionate’ and intend to contest the case fully in the next hearing.

Tanzania: Tanzania Portland Cement Company (TPC), also known as Twiga Cement, has acquired a 95% stake in limestone extractor Mamba Cement from UAE-based Sura Holdings for US$15.9m. The acquisition secures access to major limestone deposits 125km from the TPC plant in Dar es Salaam, addressing limited reserves at its current Tegeta–Wazo Hill quarry. Twiga Cement said “The acquisition was done with the intention of vertical integration of Mamba Cement’s operations with TPC.”

TPC recorded a net profit of US$21.5m in 2024, down from US$37.6m in 2023. Sales fell by 8.5% year-on-year to US$170m, while clinker production declined by 1% and cement output rose by 0.3%. The dividend is expected to be approved and paid in June 2025. Tanzania’s cement market had 13 plants operating below 60% capacity utilisation as of December 2024.