France: Irish cement producer Ecocem plans to industrialise a new technology that will be implemented at its Dunkirk site in northern France by 2025. The technology, called ACT, replaces clinker with limestone filler to reportedly reduce the carbon footprint of cement by 70% compared to the average French cement.

The company is relying on public funding from Bpifrance, the Hauts-de-France region and the urban community of Dunkirk.

Colombia: The cement sector in Colombia is experiencing difficulties due to a contraction in the construction sector. This is attributed to an economic slowdown that has impacted on housing and infrastructure projects. From January – April 2024, cement production declined by 4% year-on-year. The industry is also contending with high production costs, which have reduced profit margins. Delays in infrastructure projects, influenced by the transition in local governments, have further affected demand for cement.

Spain: Cement consumption in Spain fell by 3.3% in the first half of 2024 to 7.27Mt, a decrease of 0.25Mt from the same period in 2023, according to Oficemen's latest statistics. June 2024 saw a year-on-year decline of 4.2%, with consumption dropping to 1.25Mt. Cement exports also decreased significantly in the first half of 2024, representing a decline of 20.2% year-on-year.

Oficemen's general manager, Aniceto Zaragoza, said "Our forecasts point to a change in trend towards more positive data in the second half of the year. In fact, the figures for average daily consumption, which only consider working days in the comparison, show growth of 5.3%."

Argentina: The sale of the cement plant Loma Negra by Argentine company to Brazilian firm Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN) will not proceed. The exclusivity term for negotiations expired on 12 July 2024 without an agreement, as stated in a communication to the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange by Loma Negra. It is now speculated that businessman Marcelo Mindlin may become a candidate to acquire the company.