China: China National Building Material (CNBM) has warned of an anticipated year-on-year decline in its profit during the first nine months of 2023. Reuters has reported that the group forecast a drop of 70% from nine-month 2022 levels. Declining cement prices contributed to the anticipated drop.

UAE: Emirates Cement (Arkan) has appointed Oman and Etihad Rail Company (OER) to provide train transport for imported Omani limestone to its 1Mt/yr Al Ain cement plant.

Saeed Khalfan Al Ghafri, CEO of Emirates Cement (Arkan)’s parent company, Emirates Steel Arkan Group, said “Our collaboration with OER enhances our supply chain capabilities by leveraging the railway network that connects both countries. This agreement paves the way for integrated logistics solutions for transporting raw materials to and from our cement plant in Al Ain, boosting operational efficiencies and cost-effectiveness and reducing environmental impact.”

US: The US Department of Energy has awarded C-Crete Technologies US$2m in funding. C-Crete Technologies is developing a method for using CO₂ captured at industrial sources or from the air as an ingredient in its cement-free concrete. The binder will produce almost no CO₂ and continue to absorb more CO₂ from the air over time. It offers scalability and cost-parity with conventional cement for concrete producers, according to the developer.

C-Crete Technologies president Rouzbeh Savary said “We are committed to crafting a cement-free, carbon-negative ready-mix concrete that doesn’t just mitigate CO₂ emissions but actively contributes to reversing climate change. Our aim is nothing short of revolutionising this hard-to-abate, carbon-heavy sector.”

Kenya: East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) plans to sell land in Machakos County close to its Athi River plant, KBC News has reported. During the sale, offers submitted by people currently residing on the land will have priority. Demolition of illegal homes on the land is currently underway.