UK: Cool Planet Technologies has raised €23.7m in a funding round led by Taranis Carbon Ventures, with participation from CRH Ventures and BlueScopeX. This investment will support the development of Cool Planet's ‘low-energy, low-cost’ membrane-based carbon capture technology. It will also go towards the construction of a new membrane manufacturing facility at Holcim’s Höver cement plant near Hannover, Germany, capturing 10,000t/yr of CO₂.

CEO of Cool Planet Technologies Andrew Corner said “We are delighted to have the support of these three new major industrial investors and we want to thank our existing investors for their continued support. We believe that our technology will significantly reduce the cost of carbon capture and help to accelerate its adoption at scale. This investment will enable us to demonstrate both the potential of our technology at scale and how Cool Planet will become a leading player in providing affordable solutions to help decarbonise multiple industries.”

Azerbaijan: Shahbulag Mining subsidiary AzCement has launched a new cement plant project in Askeran village, Khojali district, according to ABC Azerbaijan news.

Economy minister Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov posted on X that "The AzCement cement plant with a production capacity of 60,000t/yr will provide jobs for 70 people. The enterprise will contribute to strengthening the infrastructure and industrial potential of the liberated territories, as well as economic growth of the region."

Germany: Schwenk Zement will utilise Germany-based Orcan Energy's organic Rankine cycle (ORC) technology at its Allmendingen cement plant in Baden-Württemberg. The installation of five ORC modules aims to harness residual heat from the clinker cooling process to generate electricity, saving 8.5GWh/yr. Orcan Energy expects operations to begin in the first quarter of 2025. The company has previously worked with Dyckerhoff and Cemex.

Vietnam: Major cement producers Vicem Bỉm Sơn, Bút Sơn, The Vissai, Thành Thắng Group and Xuân Thành Cement will increase prices from 20 October 2024 due to rising production costs from electricity, coal and packaging, according to Viet Nam News. A representative from Thành Thắng Group said that the company has recently faced a 4.8% rise in electricity prices, impacting production costs despite measures to improve efficiency and cut costs, like utilising waste heat recovery systems. The decision to increase electricity prices by Vietnam Electricity reportedly came into effect on 11 October 2024, with ongoing global geopolitical conflicts also contributing to rising costs for coal and oil.

The Vietnam National Cement Association said that price increases were ‘inevitable’, as cement has reportedly been sold below cost ‘for years’ and companies would likely not survive if prices were not increased to cover the additional costs. The list of cement producers raising prices is reportedly expected to increase in the coming weeks.