Germany: Spot, the autonomous robotic dog developed by Boston Dynamics, has joined operations at Heidelberg Materials’ Leimen grinding plant, taking on regular inspection duties to support on-site engineering teams. Equipped with advanced sensors and digital tools, Spot independently navigates buildings, monitors machine thresholds, detects anomalies and leaks early, and captures inspection data for real-time decision-making. The robot has already covered more than 4km autonomously, completed more than 20 inspection rounds, and recorded over 700 inspection points across the plant’s machines and equipment.

The team will now focus on validating Spot’s data, optimising its routes and expanding its inspection coverage.

France: Ecocem has welcomed the publication of a new European Assessment Document (EAD) on blended cements, confirming that the company’s ACT low-carbon technology meets recognised technical requirements for the European construction market. The EAD enables Ecocem and other low-carbon cement producers to pursue the European Technical Assessment (ETA) route and obtain CE marking for market access.

Ecocem’s ACT product reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 70% compared to conventional cement, and received ETA 23-0877 in December 2023, issued by Cerema. Ecocem is currently building the first production line for ACT at its new €50m facility in Dunkirk, France, which is planned to begin commercial operation in late 2026. This is part of a wider €226m investment programme to expand the company’s production facilities by 2030.

India: Deccan Cements has issued a notice to the National Stock Exchange of India that its ‘Line-3’ cement plant has been successfully commissioned, with commercial production officially commencing on 15 December 2025. Following the commissioning, the company’s total cement production capacity now stands at 4Mt/yr.

India: UltraTech Cement has awarded Fuller Technologies the contract to supply two high-capacity clinker coolers for its upcoming production lines at Pali Cement Works in Rajasthan and Vikram Cement Works in Madhya Pradesh. Each cooler will have a capacity of 12,000t/day of clinker.