Paraguay: Cement consumption continues to rise, with annual demand now reaching 38 million bags, according to Gerardo Guerrero Agusti, president of the National Cement Industry (INC). Total cement capacity across all producers is between 40-42 million bags per year. INC reported sales of over 1 million bags of cement in January 2026, reportedly driven by the continued expansion of the construction sector, according to local press. Guerrero said that the company ended 2025 with 11.4 million bags of cement sold, positioning it to hold just over 30% of national market share.

In 2025, INC produced 576,000t of cement, an increase of 43,000t over 2024 and nearly 200,000t more than previous years. The company’s installed capacity currently allows for the production and delivery of 12 to 13 million bags annually. For 2026, INC has set a target to produce 575,000t of clinker and 600,000t of cement, or about 13 million bags over the course of the year. INC plans to upgrade its cement mill separator, which is expected to increase output by approximately 1.5 million bags, or the equivalent of an extra month of production.

UK: Heidelberg Materials UK has introduced the Volvo L120 Electric wheel loader at its Nuneaton Packed Products site, marking the model’s first deployment in the country. The company said that the move is part of its broader decarbonisation strategy and follows investments in electric forklifts and vans. The L120 Electric has replaced a diesel-powered loader at the facility’s main bagging line, where it is used to transport sand and aggregates. Supplied by Volvo Construction Equipment with support from SMT GB, the deployment includes on-site charger installation and operator training to ensure efficiency and productivity.

“The L120 Electric is performing very well,” said Marian Garfield, sustainability director at Heidelberg Materials UK. “As well as being emission-free, it is eight times quieter than the diesel alternative and provides operatives with increased responsiveness and power. The battery run time has also been good, easily handling a normal 7.5-hour shift on one charge and with around 30% remaining.”

Kyrgyzstan: Cement production in the Chui region doubled to 2Mt in 2025, according to data from the National Statistical Committee. The share of cement plants in the region rose to 52%, up from 36% in 2024. The Ministry of Justice’s electronic registry indicates that four registered legal entities in Chui region are officially listed as cement producers.

Vietnam: Cement and clinker exports reached 3.42Mt in January 2026, generating US$130m in revenue, according to the National Statistics Office. This marks a year-on-year increase of 57% in volume and 70% in value. The January growth follows a strong 2025, during which Vietnam exported 37.1Mt of cement and clinker valued at US$1.37bn, representing annual increases of 25% in volume and 21% in value.