Pakistan: Cement despatches increased by 6% year-on-year in July 2026 to 4.47Mt, compared to 4.22Mt in July 2025. Data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) shows that local cement despatches in July 2026 were 3.77Mt compared to 3.21Mt in July 2025, showing an increase of 17% year-on-year. Exports, on the other hand, declined by 30% as volumes dropped from 1Mt in July 2025 to 0.7Mt in July 2026.
Colombia: Officers of the Special Operations Group for Traffic and Transportation seized more than 1t of cocaine that was hidden among a shipment of cement on the Pan-American Highway. The truck was stopped for a routine inspection. Local press reports that the driver’s nervousness and the presence of several poorly sealed packages aroused officers’ suspicions, prompting them to conduct a more detailed search. Inside the vehicle, they found 34 black sacks containing 30 red packages with over 1t of cocaine hidden among cement bags. Authorities seized the 34t of cement the vehicle was carrying, as well as the truck itself and a mobile phone.
"With this result, we continue to significantly impact the finances of criminal organisations dedicated to drug trafficking. Our Traffic and Transportation police maintain permanent controls on the country's main road corridors, strengthening institutional capabilities to detect new concealment methods and prevent these illicit substances from reaching their destination," said Colonel Jair Alonso Parra Archila, Director of Traffic and Transportation for the national police.
Dominican Republic: Cementos Progreso has launched ‘Amigos Progreso,’ a guided tour programme that opens the doors to its cement plant in San Pedro de Macorís, one of the largest in Caribbean, and its concrete plant. The initiative aims to familiarise visitors with the cement and concrete manufacturing process, quality controls, sustainability practices and the role the sector plays in the country’s economy. The programme began with the participation of engineering students from the Technological Institute of Santo Domingo and professionals from the Diploma in Management and Sustainability from the Ibero-American University (Unibe), who visited the Los Pinos concrete plant to learn about quality control and sustainable construction.
Philippines: Holcim has agreed to sell its Philippine operations to China-based Huaxin Building Materials in a multi-stage transaction valuing the company at US$807m. Under the terms of the agreement, Holcim said that it will initially sell a 67.6% controlling stake to Huaxin for US$527m, with the remainder to be sold over the next three to five years for a minimum price of US$280m. Holcim said that the overall valuation could rise ‘based on incremental value creation during this period.’
The initial sale of the majority stake is expected to close in the first half of 2027, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The money raised from the sale of the Philippines business will be used to fund large acquisitions and further investment in Holcim's existing business.
Holcim owns a minority share in Huaxin Building Materials and describes it as a joint-venture. In its annual report for 2025, it stated that it had an effective participation of just under 42% in the company.
