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.”

Spain: Cement consumption rose by 8% year-on-year to 1.13Mt in January 2026, up by 79,000t year-on-year, according to data from Oficemen. In the 12-month period from February 2024 to January 2025, consumption rose by 4% to 15.0Mt. Exports rose by 12% year-on-year to 0.3Mt in January 2026 but fell by 5% over the last 12 months to below 5Mt.

CEO Aniceto Zaragoza said “In this regard, we are cautiously monitoring the evolution of US tariff measures, as the US is the fourth largest destination for Spanish cement exports, accounting for 11% of the total. However, we are confident that sales to the intra-EU market, where Spain maintains a leading position, will remain stable.”

India: Star Cement inaugurated its Cachar unit in Bihara, Assam, on 20 February 2026. The greenfield cement plant has a production capacity of 2Mt/yr and was inaugurated by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The plant has its own railway siding, which is expected to improve connectivity and ease transportation of materials.

EU: Cement Europe has published updated environmental product declarations (EPDs) for CEM I, CEM II and CEM III under the amended European standard EN 15804+A2. The new EPDs replace the 2020 versions and cover the ‘cradle-to-gate’ life stages of cement production. Cement Europe first published a European EPD for CEM I in 2008, which was updated in 2015 and expanded in 2020 to include CEM II and CEM III. The latest update aligns with European standards and policy objectives for a more sustainable built environment.

CEO Koen Coppenholle said “The EU cement industry remains fully supportive of CEN/TC 350’s Environmental Product Declaration framework, which provides quantified and transparent environmental data for life cycle analysis at building level. Reliable and harmonised data are essential to enable sustainable procurement, material neutrality and the transition to low-carbon construction.”