US: Total shipments of Portland and blended cement, including imports, reached an estimated 9.83Mt in September 2025, marking a 10% year-on-year increase, according to data from the USGS. However, cumulative shipments for the year to September 2025 were down by 2% from 2024, at 76.4Mt. Texas was the top destination for shipments by volume, while the leading producing states in September were Texas, Missouri, California, Florida, and Michigan, which together accounted for 38% of total US production.

Clinker production, excluding Puerto Rico, stood at 6.28Mt in September 2025, representing a 6% increase year-on-year, but dropped by 5% year-on-year to 50.1Mt for the January-September period. The top clinker-producing states were Missouri, Texas, California, Florida, and Alabama. Cement and clinker imports in September 2025 reached 2.34Mt, up by 9% from the same period in 2024. For the year to September 2025, imports totalled 19.2Mt, a 2% decline year-on-year.

UK: The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has raised renewed concerns over the UK’s proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which will see importers of cement and other hard-to-abate materials pay an emissions tax from 1 January 2027. The association has questioned the work being done to prepare for the rollout of the policy and the efficacy once implemented. The UK government launched its second public consultation on the mechanism on 10 February 2026.

Diana Casey, executive director for energy and climate change, cement and lime at the MPA, said that the consultation was a welcome step but noted that significant issues remain unresolved. “With less than a year to get this right, it’s essential we iron out any issues now, so the mechanism genuinely protects domestic producers and ensures fair competition,” she said.

“But with the CBAM rate not scheduled to be tested until the fourth quarter of 2026, we are still a long way from knowing whether the system will work in practice. Delayed testing risks locking in a system that isn’t fit for purpose and removes the chance to course correct. We also still don’t have clarity on the default values importers will use for emissions reporting, in the event that actual verified emissions can’t be provided. Without robust, transparent defaults, there’s a real risk of under reported emissions and an uneven playing field for UK manufacturers,” she added.

Bangladesh: LafargeHolcim has introduced Holcim Coastal Guard, a new cement product designed to resist salinity and sulphate exposure in structures built on coastal soil or near groundwater. Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque, commercial and logistics director of LafargeHolcim, unveiled the cement at a launch event. “Holcim Coastal Guard is one of our most innovative products for customers in Bangladesh’s coastal areas,” he said. “We believe Holcim Coastal Guard will help customers build homes that remain resilient against harsh environmental challenges.”

The cement is formulated to reduce damage from sulphate and chloride-rich soils and groundwater, and is also suited for use against chemical attack in water and effluent treatment facilities. Holcim Coastal Guard was developed with input from the Holcim Group Innovation Centre in Lyon, France, and incorporates Smart Blend Technology.

China: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in China declined by 1% in the final quarter of 2025, bringing the annual total down by an estimated 0.3%, according to Carbon Brief. This marks nearly two consecutive years of ‘flat or falling’ emissions since March 2024. Emissions from fossil fuels reportedly increased by an estimated 0.1%, but this was offset by a 7% decline in emissions from cement and other building materials.