Australia: Cement Australia has temporarily shut operations at its Railton plant as it upgrades its coal-fired kiln to accept alternative fuel sources such as used tyres and ‘sustainable’ wood waste, according to ABC News. The plant, located in north-west Tasmania, will stop production for an estimated 45 days to allow for the US$77.5m works, as the company moves to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. However, conservationists are reportedly concerned over the source of the proposed wood waste, which would be either from plantation timber or native logging, and opponents have said that the move to wood chips as fuel could increase emissions.

In 2024, Cement Australia's CEO Rob Davies said that alternative fuels would make up 35% of the Railton plant's fuel use, with wood chips making up 30% and used tyres 5%. The company started using alternative fuels in 2008, and they now account for 15% of its fuel use. In 2024, the government announced US$38m in funding for the kiln's ‘Alternate Fuels Project,’ as part of the US$237m ‘Powering the Regions’ Fund, which is intended to help nine heavy industrial manufacturers to decarbonise. By switching to alternative fuels, Cement Australia expects to reduce coal use by 111,000t/yr, and reduce its CO₂ emissions by 105,000t/yr. In April 2026, Tasmania's Environment Protection Authority (EPA) gave the project the green light, but with strict conditions.

"The board determined that while the proposal would deliver an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and dust generated at the site, further action is required in relation to existing nitrogen dioxide emissions," the EPA said in a statement. Conditions imposed relate to air pollutant emissions, noise from site operations and vehicle movements.

It is expected that after the shutdown from May-July 2026, Cement Australia will start operating with the new fuels.

UK: Oil and gas company BP has removed its chair Albert Manifold, former chair of Ireland-based cement producer CRH, after allegations of misconduct. Media reports described his behaviour with different colleagues across the company as ‘aggressive,’ with BP expressing ‘serious concerns about his governance standards, oversight and conduct,’ according to The Guardian. Manifold was appointed in October 2025, having previously served more than a decade at CRH. Manifold has said that he “may have pushed hard and challenged people directly,” but he disputed reports from the company about his behaviour, adding that such ‘accusations’ had never been made about his behaviour during his 40-year career and that he ‘did not accept’ the ‘lies that [were] told’ about him.

Manifold said “I had no interest in having a dedicated chauffeur-driven limousine at my beck and call on the occasions that I was in London. I, like most people, walked, took taxis, trains, etc. I had no interest in taking private aviation nor in availing myself of corporate tickets for sports events. I made my own coffee, bought my lunch in the local cafe. I sat in a small office, eschewing the grand corner-office privilege of previous chairmen.” Manifold reportedly did this to ‘set an example’ at a time when the company was cutting costs and letting workers go.

BP said “We note the comments of our former chair. We stand by the statement we have made. We have a duty of care to all our employees, particularly those impacted by his behaviour.”

Peru: National cement shipments in Peru rose by 12% year-on-year in April 2026 to 1.08Mt, with accumulated 12-month shipments up by 11%. Cement production rose by 13% year-on-year to 970,000t in April 2026, with accumulated 12-month production up by 9%. Clinker production fell by 8% year-on-year to 720,000t, though accumulated 12-month production rose by 6%.

Cement exports rose by 26% year-on-year to 11,821t in April 2026, with accumulated 12-month exports up by 2%. Clinker exports rose by 100% year-on-year to 71,625t, with accumulated 12-month exports up by 59%. Cement imports fell by 72% year-on-year to 14,877t in April 2026, though accumulated 12-month imports rose by 27%, arriving via the port of Matarani (35%) and the Tacna land terminal from Chile (65%). Clinker imports rose by 46% year-on-year to 102,580t, with accumulated 12-month imports up by 40%, arriving via the port of Callao from Korea (42%) and the port of Pisco from Vietnam (58%).

Tajikistan: Four new cement plants with a combined production capacity of 6Mt/yr are expected to be commissioned in various regions of Tajikistan by 2029, according to President Emomali Rahmon, who has directed authorities to ensure that domestic demand for cement is fully met through local production. The commissioning of the new facilities is expected to double cement production in Tajikistan, which could result in surplus supply of cement and stabilise prices. According to the State Statistical Committee, industrial production in Tajikistan reached approximately US$746m in the first three months of 2026.