Australia: Adbri has announced the early termination of its contract to supply quicklime to aluminium producer Alcoa, ending in April 2024 instead of the original plan for six months later. This decision is part of an amendment to meet changing demand. The news comes amid Adbri's ongoing review of its Western Australia lime operations and follows Alcoa's recent production curtailment at its Kwinana refinery. Adbri previously supplied to three Alcoa alumina refineries in Western Australia, but the number was reduced to one in 2021. 

Adbri is also in the process of finalising a US$2.1bn buyout with Irish company CRH.

India: UltraTech Cement says that the Competition Commission of India has approved its proposed acquisition of Kesoram Industries’ cement business. The Business Standard newspaper reported that the demerger of the business from Kesoram Industries into UltraTech Cement is scheduled for November 2024. The deal has an enterprise value of US$914m.

China: Anhui Conch Cement's turnover was US$19.6bn in 2023, up by 6.8% year-on-year from 2022 levels. Sales of 42.5 grade cement contributed US$8.46bn (43% of turnover), down by 12% year-on-year. Meanwhile, sales of commercial concrete grew by 25% to US$313m (1.6% of turnover). Overall, the producer’s net profit fell by 33% to US$1.48bn.

Anhui Conch Cement commenced a share buyback programme for up to US$83m-worth of its listed stock in November 2023. At the end of the year, it had repurchased 0.3% of its shares.

Switzerland: Holcim launched a share buyback programme on 18 March 2023. The programme, totalling Euro1.03bn, will run until the end of 2024. Share cancellation is scheduled for approval at the group’s annual general meeting in May 2025. Holcim plans to finance the buyback from its existing cash reserves. It says that it remains committed to retaining a strong investment grade credit rating.