North Macedonia: Citizens and environmental activists gathered in the capital city of Skopje on 31 January 2026 to demand stronger measures against air pollution, particularly caused by operations at the Usje cement plant, according to local press. The protest, organised by the civic initiative Stop for Usje, began outside the government building and called on authorities to prioritise public health and ensure the plant operates in full compliance with environmental standards. Aleksandar Todeski, one of the activists, said institutions should act in the interest of citizens and announced that demonstrations would continue. In December 2025, the Skopje Metropolitan City Council authorised Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski to apply to the government regarding the relocation of the plant away from residential areas.

North Korea: A project to expand capacity at the Kyongam Cement Factory in North Hwanghae Province has been completed, according to Korean News. It reported that a ‘large-capacity’ cement production line with modern and efficient equipment had been established. The expansion will increase production of cement to support construction projects across the province, using locally available raw materials and resources.

Pak Chang Ho, chief secretary of the North Hwanghae Provincial Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, attended the inauguration ceremony on 29 January 2026 with provincial officials, local working people in Pongsan County and plant employees. After the ceremony, participants toured the plant.

Argentina: Data from local cement association AFCP showed total cement despatches of 10.1Mt in 2025, up by 6% year-on-year, with domestic despatches at 10.0Mt, up by 6%, and exports at 74,200t. The country produced 759,000t of cement in December 2025, down by 2% year-on-year and down by 10% month-on-month. Domestic despatches for the month were 756,000t, down by 1% year-on-year and down by 9% from November 2025, while exports were 3330t.

Tunisia: Les Ciments de Bizerte recorded continued shutdown of clinker production in 2025 due to lack of petcoke and insufficient financial resources to secure imports, according to African Manager news. The producer refocused operations on grinding imported or locally acquired clinker and on lime production to maintain its limited market presence and cash flow. Clinker production remained at zero for the full 2025 financial year. Cement production fell to 119,000t from 129,000t in 2024, down by 8% year-on-year, although fourth-quarter output rose to 36,800t, up by 28% year-on-year, following a temporary increase in grinding activity supported by targeted clinker supplies. Lime production reached 833t in the fourth quarter, up by 69% year-on-year from 494t, driven by sustained domestic demand. Sales rose to US$14.2m in 2025, up by 31% year-on-year. Total debt stood at US$43m at the end of 2025.