UK: First Graphene has completed a ‘world-first’ production trial of graphene-enhanced cement roof tiles with UK-based precast concrete manufacturer and supplier FP McCann. The five-month project used 40t of PureGRAPH enhanced cement, developed by First Graphene’s partner Breedon Group, to produce more than 10,000 tiles at FP McCann’s Cadeby plant. The trial showed a cradle-to-gate reduction in CO₂ emissions of up to 14% and a reduction in cement use of up to 8%, while maintaining equivalent strength compared to CEM I cement, with fewer materials and lower costs. The tiles will be used in a variety of projects, including installation on a new building at the Cadeby site, while discussions are underway with industry partners for wider use across the UK.

Jamaica: Caribbean Cement says that continued heavy rainfall has disrupted operations, affecting raw material conditions and causing equipment and process issues that have temporarily affected production levels, according to the Jamaica Observer. The development could slow rebuilding efforts following the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa. The company said that some delays persist due to high demand and adverse weather, but teams are working to stabilise equipment and restore normal operations, which are expected by mid-May 2026.

Chad Bryan, communication and social impact coordinator at Caribbean Cement, said “When it rains, accessing the quarry becomes difficult, and wet material is harder to process. It creates mud that builds up in the feed bins, which ultimately lowers production rates.”

India: India’s carbon credit trading scheme will become stricter by the 2027 financial year, increasing compliance costs for cement companies, according to an ICRA ESG analysis.

The report looked at 14 companies, including 10 cement producers, and found that the 2026 financial year will be a ‘transition period’, with companies able to meet targets by reducing emission intensity by around 1.5%. Failure to reduce emissions may force companies to buy carbon credits. By 2027, the report said that around 30% of cement companies could face deficits, even under favourable conditions, with financial impacts reaching up to US$74.3m and carbon costs reducing profits by up to 19%. Companies will need to reduce emission intensity by around 0.7% in 2026 and 2.7% in 2027 compared to 2024 levels.

Mexico: GCC has reported higher-than-expected sales and operating cash flow at the start of 2026, thanks to favourable market conditions in the Mexican market. The revenue of the Chihuahua-based company rose 20% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, driven by favourable conditions in both of its markets, but especially in Mexico, where revenue increased by 28%. This was due to higher cement and concrete sales volumes, as well as currency appreciation and increased demand in the residential and infrastructure segments.

“GCC started the year with a solid performance, achieving outstanding growth in revenue and profits, driven by disciplined operational execution, favourable weather conditions, and increased activity in our markets,” said Enrique Escalante, the company’s CEO, to the Mexican Stock Exchange.

In the US market, quarterly sales grew by 16% to account for nearly 70% of sales by GCC. Here, the company also saw an improvement in volumes that offset the decline in cement prices.