Global Cement News

Portugal: CBMI has signed an engineering, procurement and construction contract with SECIL Cement Group for the renovation of the 1800t/day clinker line at the Maceira plant.

The project includes the installation of a new firing system and a series of upgrades to improve energy and heat efficiency. The upgrade encompasses five decarbonisation measures, including a 100% alternative fuel design rate, with the aim to decrease CO₂ emissions by 30% compared to 2019 levels. This would reportedly reduce CO₂ emissions to 550kg/t of clinker.

India: Dalmia Bharat recorded a 2% year-on-year decline in cement sales volumes to 6.7Mt in the third quarter of the 2025 financial year, compared to 6.8Mt in the previous corresponding period. Profit before tax dropped by 77% to US$9.6m, while earnings by interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) dropped by 34.5% to US$5.9m from US$9m in the same period last year.

Managing director and CEO Puneet Dalmia said “After multiple years of high growth, India witnessed a slightly slow start to the year, but the government's continuous focus on investment-led growth underpin my confidence in a rebound of the Indian economy. In this backdrop, I believe cement demand growth will regain momentum. Our capacity expansion plans are on track, as we will reach 49.5Mt/yr by the end of 2025.”

CFO Dharmender Tuteja added “Cement demand growth in the third quarter fell short of our earlier expectations. Our volumes declined by 2% year-on-year while EBITDA fell 34.5% year-on-year to US$5.9m with persistent weakness in cement prices. With demand now gaining traction and prices showing signs of optimism, we are confident about a stronger performance in the upcoming quarters.”

India: Nuvoco Vistas has reported 16% year-on-year growth in its consolidated cement sales to 4.7Mt in the third quarter of the 2025 financial year ending on 31 December 2024.  Consolidated revenue from operations stood at US$279m and consolidated EBITDA at US$30m. In its release, the company stated that the cement industry was recovering following a challenging first half of the 2025 financial year and subdued demand.

Nuvoco stated that it had achieved the industry's ‘lowest carbon emissions’ at 457kg of CO₂ per tonne of cementitious materials.

Managing director Jayakumar Krishnaswamy said “The company proactively seized demand opportunities to bolster its position in the market and delivered strong volume growth during the quarter. The company is confident in its expansion strategy and ability to execute on growth plans pertaining to Vadraj Cement, which will diversify its market footprint in western India, thereby supporting long-term growth ambitions and further consolidating its position as the fifth largest player in India.”

The company is reportedly on track to achieve 31Mt/yr cement capacity by the third quarter of the 2027 financial year.

US: The US Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management has selected Cemex's Knoxville cement plant in Tennessee as the site for a carbon capture, removal and conversion test centre. The project is part of a US$101m initiative shared among five projects that aim to decarbonise cement plants and power facilities.

Cemex, in collaboration with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and a coalition of US cement producers, will develop the conceptual design, business, technical and managerial frameworks for the test centre under Phase 1. Phase 2 will involve constructing and operating the centre to evaluate advanced carbon management systems.

Jaime Muguiro, president of Cemex US, said “While we are making steady progress, the cement industry has the opportunity to accelerate the pace of our decarbonisation even more. I am excited that our Knoxville cement plant has been selected as the host site for the carbon capture test centre. Through collaboration and continuous innovation with the University of Illinois and industry peers, Cemex is committed to advancing decarbonisation solutions.”

Saudi Arabia: Eastern Province Cement Company (EPCC) will install two MVR 5000 R-4 vertical roller mills from Gebr. Pfeiffer at its Khursaniyah plant, as part of a new 3.2Mt/yr (10,000t/day) production line. The mills will grind 550t/hr of cement raw material to a fineness of ≤10%R on 90µm.

The MVR mills are expected to improve technical availability, while reducing operating costs and emissions. This project marks the first installation of MVR vertical roller mills in Saudi Arabia and is being managed by Chinese contractor CBMI. Commissioning is scheduled for the second half of 2025.