India: UltraTech Cement has commissioned an additional 1.2Mt/yr of grinding capacity at its Arakkonam unit in Tamil Nadu. This expansion is part of a broader 22.6Mt/yr capacity increase announced back in June 2022. With this latest addition, UltraTech Cement's total cement capacity now stands at 156Mt/yr.

Kyrgyzstan: Cement production in Kyrgyzstan reached 2.06Mt between January and August 2024, marking a 2% increase from 2.02Mt during the same period of 2023. 375,000t of cement was produced in August 2024, marking an 18.7% increase compared to August 2023.

UK: Alternative fuel manufacturer WKE has expanded its product range with new pellet sizes, including 9mm and 6mm shortcut pellets for extended burn times and reduced leftover material in cement kilns, and a 16mm pellet for the biomass sector. This development aims to address specific industry challenges and meet growing demand in both UK and international markets.

CEO Ian Jones said "Our new range of pellet sizes represent a significant step forward in our mission to provide a cleaner, greener and cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels. By tailoring our products to meet the bespoke needs of sectors like cement, we can further support these heavy energy-use industries in reducing their dependence on fossil fuels, all while cutting their energy costs and tackling the enormous amount of material that ends up in landfill."

Zimbabwe: Huaxin Cement has invested US$15m in a new manufacturing plant in Zimbabwe, according to Bulawayo 24 News. The company has set up a subsidiary Huaxin Zimbabwe, to oversee operations. Huaxin Zimbabwe director Clemence Gomba said that the initial capacity will be 300,000t/yr, potentially increasing to 1Mt/yr if lime reserves are accessed, adding that he wanted “Zimbabweans to get cement at their doorsteps.” The plant will serve both local and export markets. Huaxin plans to employ five Chinese nationals and 200 local people.

Company CEO Mr Chen said “We started construction of the site last month [September 2024] and we hope to finish by the end of November 2024. In December 2024, we will start the production of cement. The plant will start with a production capacity of 25,000t/month of cement, we will mainly be manufacturing 32.5 and 42.5 cement. We hope to satisfy the local market so that we can reduce our imports. We hope to find some limestone reserves so that we will not be importing any clinker.”

Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu toured the site, saying that Zimbabwe is experiencing a surge in imports mainly from Zambia and South Africa, a reflection that local production is ‘not satisfying’ the market.