Italy: Buzzi’s cement and clinker sales volumes rose by 10% year-on-year to 7Mt in the first quarter of 2026, supported by consolidation of its operations in the UAE in May 2025. Consolidated sales declined by 1% year-on-year to €960m. On a like-for-like basis, it said that deliveries declined slightly due to weak European markets and adverse weather conditions, and ‘structural challenges’ in relevant markets. Volumes in the US increased due to increased demand from data centre and infrastructure projects. Brazil also recorded growth despite heavy rainfall in Minas Gerais. Buzzi said that the global economy recorded moderate growth in a context marked by high geopolitical uncertainty and persistent price volatility.  

Brazil: CSN reportedly received non-binding offers for its cement division on 7 May 2026, according to Reuters, as part of its plans to reduce debt. The company has appointed Morgan Stanley to advise on the sale process. The business is reportedly valued at more than US$2bn. The identities of the bidders were not disclosed, but companies that have shown interest include Anhui Conch Cement, Huaxin Cement, Sinoma and Votorantim Cimentos. CSN chief financial offer Marco Rabello told Reuters that a binding phase would start shortly after the receipt of non-binding offers and the selection of groups moving to the next phase.

Japan: Taiheiyo Cement reported sales of US$5.7bn in the 2026 financial year, ending 31 March 2026. Operating profit fell by 4% year-on-year to US$472m and net profit dropped by 56% to US$161m. The company said that the decline was due to impairment losses at Taiheiyo Cement Philippines. Domestic cement demand in Japan fell by 7% year-on-year to 30.5Mt, and the group’s domestic cement sales volumes declined by 9% to 11.9Mt. Cement exports increased by 10% to 3.32Mt. It said that demand was supported by countermeasure construction for ‘national resilience’, projects related to defence and urban development and construction related to the Linear Chuo Shinkansen. However, demand was impacted by ‘soaring’ construction costs, a decrease of shipments on Saturdays due to the spread of the five-day working week at construction sites, and a ‘chronic’ shortage of workers.

The company said that the Japanese economy, while showing some impact from US trade policies, maintained a gradual recovery trend throughout the year, supported by solid public investment and a rebound in customer spending. However, rising geopolitical risks, such as the escalating situation in the Middle East, created ‘uncertainty’ about the outlook of the economy.

India: IKN has commissioned a 6000t/day clinker cooler at Vicat Group subsidiary Bharathi Cement’s Kadapa plant, replacing an existing walking floor cooler. The company said that commissioning expert Dhuwarakesh Ragavan is assisting with start-up and finetuning. IKN said that the new clinker cooling system will increase operational reliability, cooling efficiency and support sustainable plant performance.