Spain: Cement consumption in Catalonia rose by 12% year-on-year to 2.40Mt in 2025, while exports fell by 18% to 1.48Mt. Cement plants in the region produced 3.25Mt, down by 5% year-on-year. Ciment Català said cement consumption has remained below 2.5Mt for 14 consecutive years, a low volume relative to the Catalan population, placing per capita consumption at around 300kg of cement per inhabitant per year. It is also 30% lower than the EU average.

Colombia: Cementos Argos reported consolidated sales of US$1.4bn in 2025 and shipped 9.3Mt of cement, similar year-on-year, reportedly affected by a slowdown in the housing segment in Colombia and the transformation of the business in Panama. In the fourth quarter of 2025, however, cement volumes rose by 3% year-on-year.

In Colombia, sales were US$757m and earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) reached US$219m, up by 4% year-on-year, with fourth-quarter EBITDA of US$61m. The producer shipped 3.9Mt domestically and exported 1.2Mt. In Central America and the Caribbean, Cementos Argos shipped 4.3Mt in 2025, up by 9% year-on-year, and 1Mt in the fourth quarter, up by 13%. Sales reached US$554m and EBITDA was US$141m. The producer said that the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico saw ‘record’ levels of profitability, while Honduras and Guatemala showed ‘solid’ operating performance. In Panama, efficiencies offset the market contraction.

In 2025, the company re-entered the US market with the launch of Argos Materials LLC. It expects to generate between US$100m-150m in additional EBITDA through organic growth by 2030, with investments of less than US$500m and between US$100m-US$200m through selective acquisitions.

North Korea: The Sangwon Cement Complex carried out its daily production plan through ‘sci-tech activities’ to increase production in quality and quantity, according to Korean News. The Sunchon Cement Complex produced more than 1000t of additional cement in February 2026. The Chonnaeri Cement plant increased the operation rate of equipment to boost productivity, while the Sunghori Cement plant and the Manpho August 2 cement plant ‘improved technical control’ to increase production through a mass movement.

Brazil: Votorantim Cimentos says that it is ‘increasing sustainability, production and competitiveness’ under its US$955m investment plan for 2024 to 2028. The producer signed a power purchase agreement with Auren Energia for renewable electricity from the Cajuína I wind farm complex in Lajes, Rio Grande do Norte and will become a partner in part of the complex, with supply starting in March 2026, subject to the fulfilment of customary conditions. As a result, more than 90% of electricity consumed by Votorantim Cimentos in Brazil will come from renewable sources.

The producer is also expanding the Edealina cement plant with a new grinding line that will double capacity to 2Mt/yr. The new mill arrived in January 2026 and operations are expected to start in April 2026. It is also investing in the modernisation of the kiln at its Xambioá plant and the restart of mills at its Esteio and Laranjeiras sites. The Nobres plant will receive a new grinding mill, increasing capacity to 1.2Mt/yr, with completion scheduled for August 2026. Across Brazil, the producer said that these expansions and upgrades will increase operational production volume by 3.7Mt/yr. Of the US$955m plan announced in January 2024, approximately US$458m had been approved, was underway or completed by the third quarter of 2025.

CEO Osvaldo Ayres said “All these projects are aligned with our strategy, boost our competitiveness and expand our reach in the Brazilian market. In the year in which it celebrates its 90th anniversary, Votorantim Cimentos remains firm in the execution of its strategic mandate, offering building materials and sustainable solutions to our customers, while supporting the development and growth of our country.”