India: The Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal has approved Vadraj Cement s acquisition by Nirma Group-owned cement producer Nuvoco Vistas. Gujarat-based Vadraj Cement, formerly owned by ABG Shipyard, has admitted liabilities of US$1.1bn, while Nuvoco Vistas proposes to pay US$209m to acquire the company through the bankruptcy process. Vadraj Cement operates grinding units in Surat, with a total capacity of 6Mt/yr, and a clinker plant of 3.5Mt/yr in Kutch, which mostly supplies the grinding plants. All assets are located in the state of Gujarat. The acquisition will increase Nuvoco Vistas cement capacity to around 31Mt/yr, making it the fifth-largest cement producer in India by installed capacity. Nuvoco Vistas won an auction for the business against other bidders, including JK Cement, JSW Cement, KIFS, RKG Fund and Orissa Metaliks. /Global Cement

Pakistan: Lucky Cement has successfully completed Pakistan s first ever clinker shipment to Brazil. Senior export manager Rafique Ahmed posted the news on social media, saying that the company had now expanded its global footprint and strengthened Pakistan s presence in international markets. /Global Cement

Tunisia: Wan Li, the Chinese Ambassador to Tunisia, has revealed that a Chinese company specialising in the cement sector is preparing to acquire a cement plant close to the capital city Tunis. The value of the transaction is reported to be more than US$100m. If completed, it would be the first Chinese investment in Tunisia in the 2020s. Li said "We are confident that this state-of-the-art company will introduce modern techniques and upgrade the plant s equipment, which will have a positive impact on the environment." He also assured that this acquisition will improve the productivity and efficiency of the cement plant. /Global Cement

Burkina Faso: Ibrahim Traoré, the President of Burkina Faso, inaugurated the Sino-Burkinabè Industrial Cement Company (CISINOB) in Laongo, Ziniaré on 20 March 2025. The grinding plant has a capacity of 0.75Mt/yr and cost US$43m. The unit will be expanded in a second later stage to reach a capacity of 1.2Mt/yr. /Global Cement

Libya: The Libya Africa Investment Portfolio (LAIP) reported that its Misrata cement plant project will move forward, following the committee’s eighth meeting, reports the Libya Herald. The project aims to produce 2Mt/yr in the first phase, rising to 4Mt/yr in the second phase in order to satisfy the demands of the local market, according to economic feasibility studies prepared for the project. The meeting confirmed that the quantity of raw materials is sufficient to operate the plant for at least 50 years. The project has been suspended since 2012, with completion at around 32%. China-based Sinuma Yuhan will construct the plant. /Global Cement

Pakistan: Cement exports rose by 5% year-on-year to US$188m in the first seven months of the 2024 financial year, while volumes increased by 35% year-on-year to 5.27Mt, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The country s cement exports grew by 40% year-on-year to US$20.6m in January 2025, but fell by 35% month-on-month from US$31.9m in December 2024. This suggests strong international demand, accompanied by short-term fluctuations in global shipments. /Global Cement

Zimbabwe: Khayah Cement has begun corporate rescue proceedings with appointed supervisor Grant Thornton (Zimbabwe). The Sunday News has reported that the company is in financial trouble following equipment failures affecting its vertical roller mill. Grant Thornton (Zimbabwe) has called a meeting of Khayah Cement’s stakeholders and creditors in Harare on 19 February 2025. The rescue process aims to remove the need for liquidation. Khayah Cement switched over from integrated to grinding-only production in 2023. /Global Cement

Japan/Australia: Mitsubishi UBE Cement Corporation (MUCC) has invested US$5m in cleantech firm MCi Carbon, becoming the fourth major Japanese investor alongside ITOCHU Corporation, Mizuho Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank. The partnership includes a collaboration agreement focusing on mineral carbonation technology and a three-way memorandum of understanding with ITOCHU Corporation. MUCC will utilise MCi s technology to decarbonise cement production in Japan through CO2 emissions abatement and development of low-carbon materials. The investment supports the commissioning of MCi s Myrtle mineral carbonation demonstration plant in Australia. /Global Cement

Pakistan: Cement exports have increased by 23% to US$167m from July to December 2024, compared to US$136m in the same period of 2023, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Export volumes rose by 34% from 3.51Mt to 4.69Mt. In December 2024, exports grew by 45% year-on-year to US$31.9m, up from US$22m in December 2023. The data also showed a 3% month-on-month rise in December 2024 compared to November 2024. /Global Cement

Azerbaijan: Cement production reached 4.03Mt in 2024, up by 1.6% year-on-year, according to the State Statistics Committee. The total value of the construction materials sector rose by 17% to US$823m. Production of bricks and similar products from cement and concrete increased by 41%, while cement clinker output grew by 16%. /Global Cement

Iraq: Iraq’s largest cement plant in Kirkuk has resumed operations after a shutdown in November 2024 due to environmental non-compliance and an issued fine of US$343,000. Upgrades include a new dust control system and pollution monitoring equipment. Residents of nearby Lailan have previously protested against the plant, stating that the pollution caused adverse health effects and poisoned local crops, according to Intellinews. Following inspections, the factory now reportedly meets relevant pollutant standards. /Global Cement

India: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with JK Cement to support startups, entrepreneurs and innovation in manufacturing. The partnership will provide access to JK Cement’s infrastructure, manufacturing and research and development facilities, mentorship programmes, pilot projects and university resources. /Global Cement

UAE: A cement plant in Fujairah has halted operations after a malfunction caused thick smoke to rise from the chimney, according to local news reports. The Fujairah Environment Authority conducted an inspection to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and laws. The plant consequently initiated an immediate shutdown and submitted a plan to repair the malfunction and prevent future issues. /Global Cement

Pakistan: December 2024 saw mixed results for cement despatches, according to data published by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association. Local despatches declined by 5% year-on-year, falling to 3.37Mt from 3.54Mt in December 2023. Overall, total cement despatches for December 2024 stood at 4.15Mt, up by 2% from 4.06Mt year-on-year. For the first half of the fiscal year, total despatches decreased by 4% to 22.9Mt. Domestic despatches saw a significant drop of 10%, totalling 18.1Mt. Exports, however, witnessed a 32% increase, reaching 4.81Mt during this period. In December 2024, exports reached 0.78Mt, a 49% year-on-year increase from 0.53Mt in December 2023. /Global Cement

India: JK Cement has laid the foundation stone for a new grinding unit in Buxar, Bihar, at a cost of US$58.7m. With a capacity of 3Mt/yr, the unit is expected to increase the company s production capacity to over 30Mt/yr by 2025, from the current 24.3Mt/yr, according to Biltrax Media.Raghavpat Singhania, managing director of JK Cement, said "The new facility will not only enhance JK Cement s reach across India but also contribute to the overall infrastructural and economic development of Bihar.”/Global Cement