Kyrgyzstan: A new 1.8Mt/yr cement plant is to be built at Tunuk-Suu in Batken region. 10 hectares of land have been set aside for the project, according to local government sources quoted by Central Asia News. The initiative is a joint venture between the authorities and investors. Construction of the plant is scheduled to be complete by early 2024. A 60km road supporting the proposed plant is also being repaired.

Japan: Sumitomo Osaka Cement says it plans to raise the price of its cement-related products by 20% in April 2022. It has blamed this on rising raw material, energy and logistics costs.

Croatia: Volunteers from Cemex collaborated with the Agricultural and Veterans’ Cooperative Lintar and local school pupils to harvest 6.5t of olives from the site of its rehabilitated Split quarry in Split-Dalmatia. The company says that the winter crop produced 900l of olive oil.

Cemex’s Europe, Middle East and Africa corporate affairs, sustainability and environmental resources manangement vice president Andrew Spencer said “We recognise that our industry has consequences for the environment, but Cemex is working hard to actively counteract climate change and this drive is present through all aspects of our business. In our cement and aggregate quarrying operations across Europe, we restore and recultivate our sites to provide optimal conditions that are managed well to deliver for biodiversity.” He added “Our vision is of a successful, sustainable Cemex that makes a positive contribution to people and the environment.”

Morocco: Ciments du Maroc plans to commission its 0.7Mt/yr grinding plant at Nador in July 2022. The production unit, belonging to the subsidiary of Germany-based HeidelbergCement, is located around 18 km outside of Nador. The project has a budget of around US$36m and it intended to support development in northern and eastern regions of the country. Construction of the plant started in 2020.