North Korea: Cement plants are increasing their output, with Sangwon Cement Complex reportedly ‘actively introducing inventions’ and ‘increasing the number of checking equipment’ to increase production, according to state-owned Korea News. The repair of the calciner for Kiln No. 2 is finished, which has also enabled higher daily output at the plant.

Supply of raw materials has increased, with the Sangwon Limestone Mine raising mineral output through improved blasting methods, and the Samchong Mine and Hwachon Coal Mine increasing ‘the proportion of mechanisation’ and equipment utilisation.

Other plants, including the Chonnaeri Cement Factory and Sunghori Cement Factory, are reportedly boosting production, but specific details are not disclosed.

Pakistan: Total cement despatches in Pakistan rose by 1% year-on-year to 3.75Mt in March 2026 from 3.71Mt in March 2025, according to the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association. Domestic despatches fell by 0.2% to 3.10Mt, while exports increased by 7% to 0.65Mt from 0.61Mt. This is higher than the projected figure, which expected local cement despatches to decline by 4% to 2.98Mt based on data recorded in the first 24 days of the month. Total cement sales were forecast to reach around 3.65Mt, which is roughly in line with the reported figures.

In the first nine months of the 2026 financial year, total cement despatches reached 38.5Mt, up by 10% year-on-year from 35.1Mt. Domestic despatches rose by 11% to 31.6Mt, while exports increased by 6% to 6.94Mt.

A spokesman of the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association said that the current geopolitical tensions pose serious threats to the manufacturing sectors, particularly cement due to its energy-intensive nature. The current volatility in oil prices and coal will have a serious impact on the sector due to cost escalations and disruptions in supply chains, according to the association.

India: Wonder Cement has signed three long-term power purchase agreements with Sunsure Energy to supply solar power to its plants in Dhule, Maharashtra and Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. The agreements are linked to 30MW of photovoltaic capacity, with power sourced from Sunsure Energy’s 150MW solar park in Solapur and a 49MW plant in Augasi.

The company said the arrangement will offset around 33,000t/yr of CO₂ emissions across the two sites. Solar power will meet approximately 67% of electricity consumption at the Dhule plant and 52% at the Aligarh plant.

Argentina/Brazil: A consortium led by LATCEM, Redwood Capital Management and Moneda Patria Investments has taken control of Brazil-based InterCement and indirect control of Argentina-based Loma Negra. The move follows the completion of the second phase of a judicial reorganisation process prompted by InterCement’s high level of debt, according to Bloomberg Línea News. The trio of investors has injected US$110m into InterCement. They now hold around 39%, 27% and 24% respectively of the company. InterCement holds a 52% direct controlling share in Loma Negra via a subsidiary. Marcelo Mindlin, the controller of LATCEM, has been appointed as the president of Loma Negra.