Mali: A strike by two hauliers unions based in Senegal has caused cement shortages. The Union des Routiers du Sénégal and the Intersyndicale du Secteur des Transports Routiers both started strike action in late December 2020, according to Bamako News. The country has three main cement plants - Ciments et Matériaux du Mali (CMM), Diamond Ciment (DCM-SA) and Ciments d'Afrique (CIMAF) – but these companies only have a production capacity of 2Mt/yr. This is estimated to be 50% of Mali’s national requirement of 4Mt/yr. Commentators have called for a national cement supply policy in response to the situation and to reduce reliance on imports.

Sri Lanka: Onyx Group chairman Nandana Lokuwithana says that his company will start operations at its 3.6Mt/yr grinding plant in Mirijjawila, Hambantota later in 2021. The unit has an investment of nearly US$100m, according to the Sunday Observer newspaper. It was previously reported in 2019 that two roller mills for the project had been ordered by Lanwa Sanstha Cement from Germany-based Gebr. Pfeiffer. Lanwa Sanstha Cement is a related company to Onyx Group.

Oman: Raysut Cement’s revenue grew by 7% year-on-year to US$235m in 2020 from US$219m in 2019. Its profit after tax increased to US$36.5m from US$5.88m.

Spain: LafargeHolcim has successfully demolished a 78.5m high silo at its Los Barrios Port Terminal in the Port of Algeciras. The company is currently dismantling its unit at the port. A specialised company was hired by the cement producer to conduct the operation following a survey.