Global Cement News

Mexico: Cement consumption fell by 8 – 10% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024, according to José María Barroso Martínez, CEO of Cementos Moctezuma. He attributed the drop to factors such as the change of government in Mexico, the US government's tariff policy, a decrease in small-scale private works and on-going negotiations towards a replacement for the United States – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA) for North American free trade, among other factors.

In an interview with Grupo Reforma News, Martínez said “Cement is the first variable that moves when the economy accelerates or decelerates. In the second half of 2025 we can achieve additional volumes to correct the trend and close the year similar 2024, when the industry reached close to 42Mt sold."

Germany: A major clean-up operation is underway at Heidelberg Materials’ Burglengenfeld plant in Bavaria following a fire on 17 August 2025. The fire began in the plant’s waste plastic fuel storage hall and was attended by more than 340 firefighters, who managed to prevent it spreading to other areas of the plant. Waste plastic is the Burglengenfeld plant’s main fuel.

The damage is nevertheless considerable, amounting at least to ‘ hundreds of thousands of Euros,’ according to plant manager Bernhard Reindl. He also announced that a structural engineer will inspect the hall's structure in the coming days. It is already clear that the roof will have to be at least partially dismantled and replaced.

However, despite the disruption, cement production has been able to continue, with lignite being used on a temporary basis until the waste plastic fuel facility is repaired. The kiln is reported to be operating at 80% of its usual capacity.

How the fire in the warehouse started remains unclear, but Reindl suspects a smouldering fire, similar to a considerably smaller one that affected the same building in October 2024. Burglengenfeld police station has begun an investigation into the cause.

Mexico: Cementos Moctezuma has established what it calls an ‘ambitious’ plan to reduce its embodied CO₂ emissions per tonne of cement to below 500kg by 2030. José María Barroso Ramírez, Cementos Moctezuma's CEO, explained that the company will optimise efficiency at every stage of production, without compromising cement quality. The company’s cement plants will also co-process up to 30% of alternative fuels. Maribel Leyte Jiménez, director of sustainability, environment, and continuous improvement, emphasised that reducing the clinker factor – while maintaining performance – is also key to lower emissions.

Cementos Moctezuma's 2030 roadmap is based on health and safety, energy and climate change, social responsibility and the environment, as well as biodiversity and the circular economy. These pillars are used to evaluate the company's performance each year.

One of the projects being carried out by the company is Reef Balls, in which artificial reefs are used to repopulate coastal areas with flora and fauna. Engineer José María Barroso points out that the implementation of approximately 500 Reef Balls would lead to a reduction of more than 1200t of CO₂. This initiative has been carried out in the state of Yucatán, but plans are underway to replicate the project on more beaches in Mexico.

Congo: The Ministry of Industrial Development and Private Sector Promotion is conducting a special forum on the cement industry in the Republic of Congo in Brazzaville on 18 – 19 August 2025, with the aim being to make the sector more competitive in the global market. Minister Antoine Thomas Nicéphore Fylla Saint Eudes will lead proceedings.

Saint Eudes said “Congo is preparing for its entry into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), scheduled in a few years. Thanks to its significant reserves of limestone and clay, our ambition is to make it a cement hub for the sub-region.”

Belarus: Krasnoselskstroymaterialy is preparing a US$100m modernisation project at one of its cement plants and is seeking investment from Chinese companies. CEO Alexander Golda said “A large cement plant modernisation project is currently at its pre-investment stage. We are actively working with Chinese partners, and representatives of several large companies have already visited us with proposals.” He added that work will continue through 2025 ‘and the following years’ before a final decision is made.

The company reduced its net loss by 45% year-on-year to US$9.50m in 2024, while sales grew by 21% to US$139m.