Spain: Researchers at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT) are developing predictive models using artificial intelligence (AI) to produce cementitious material from construction and demolition waste. The researchers said that the material is a ‘cement-free cement’ which reduces the amount of demolition debris that ends up in landfills and reduces emissions because the material actively captures atmospheric CO₂. The CO2MCHRETE project reportedly demonstrates the feasibility of transforming demolition waste and steel slag into construction materials through mineralisation processes. The research team has also created a digital tool and an app to determine whether concrete from buildings scheduled for demolition can be reused.

The researchers analysed data from construction sites and laboratories and conducted tests using ultrasound, sclerometers and visual inspection, subsequently validated in the UPCT laboratories. The analysis integrated up to 100,000 data points to train predictive models assessing recycled concrete for three uses: fine grinding to produce geopolymers, filler material to reduce porosity and recycled aggregate to replace natural gravel.

The project is funded by the Centre for the Development of Technology and Innovation under the Missions 2024 programme and is led by Técnicas Reunidas with the participation of Cementos Cruz, Ferrovial and Urdecón, along with research centres including CTC, TECNALIA and UCLM. The technology has reportedly reached technology readiness level five, validated at laboratory scale.

Nigeria: Dangote Cement has announced audited results for the full year ending December 2025. Its profit after tax was US$732m, up by 102% year-on-year and its sales rose by 20% year-on-year to US$3.12bn. The ‘record’ financial performance was reportedly driven by operational efficiency and strategic capacity expansion. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 43% to US$1.44bn.

Group production volumes fell by 1% to 27.5Mt, while Nigerian cement and clinker exports rose by 19% to 1.4Mt, including the despatch of 34 ships to Ghana and Cameroon. The company inaugurated a 3Mt/yr grinding plant in Côte d’Ivoire in 2025, increasing total capacity to 55Mt/yr.

Morocco: Cement deliveries reached 2.09Mt in the first two months of 2026, down by 16% year-on-year, according to the Ministry of National Territorial Planning Urban Development Housing and Urban Policy. Distribution deliveries were 1.08Mt, down by 21%. In February 2026, deliveries reached 1.05Mt, down by 13% year-on-year. Cement deliveries had already fallen in January 2026 to 1.04Mt, down by 19%, amid heavy rainfall that slowed construction activity.

Jamaica: Caribbean Cement Company has reported profit of US$37.9m for the year ending 31 December 2025, unchanged year-on-year despite the impact of Hurricane Melissa. The company posted record sales of US$202m, up by 13% from 2024, supported by a capacity expansion and stronger export volumes. The expansion commanded an investment of US$42m over three years and increased cement capacity by around 0.3Mt/yr to an estimated 1.3Mt/yr. The company said that it strengthened its ability to meet domestic demand, even in the face of the adverse impact of Hurricane Melissa. Earnings before taxation reached US$52.1m and operating earnings rose to US$50.7m.

“CCC is strategically positioned to support Jamaica’s rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Melissa, while continuing to advance the country’s broader development objectives. This export strategy is intended to optimise capacity utilisation, expand our regional footprint and generate foreign currency earnings for Jamaica.”

The company also cited kiln efficiency, reduced energy use and 1000 consecutive days without a lost-time safety incident as foundations for the year ahead.