Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Binny Sabharwal
Turkey leads EU cement imports amid CBAM concerns in H1 2026
EU imports of cement and clinker totaled almost 5 million metric tons in the first half of 2026, with Turkey supplying nearly half of the total, as Cement Europe highlighted the importance of effective implementation of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. "Our latest trade data show why getting CBAM right in practice matters for a genuine level playing field," Cement Europe said in a social media post Nov. 2.
Turkey’s June cement exports rise 26.4% year over year
Turkey's cement exports rose 26.4% year over year to 1.72 million metric tons in June, while clinker exports increased 15.8% to 0.86 million mt, according to monthly data published by the Turkish Cement Manufacturers' Association. In the year to June, cement exports rose 9.3% to 8.17 million mt. Cement production dropped 1.5% to 41.51 million mt, while domestic sales fell 3.4% to 33.20 million mt and total sales declined 1.1% to 41.37 million mt.
INTERVIEW: TITAN Cement sees structural ACM shortages reshaping trade
TITAN Cement Group is expanding its access to alternative cementitious materials to reduce clinker use, support its decarbonization targets, and develop a new revenue stream.
Ghana cement makers introduce temporary demurrage surcharge as port delays trigger costs
Ghana's cement manufacturers have introduced a temporary clinker demurrage surcharge after a dramatic surge in vessel waiting times at the country's main port pushed industrywide demurrage costs to as much as $50 million in the first eight months of 2026, raising concerns about the stability of cement supply to one of West Africa's largest construction markets.
Spain's cement exports slide as energy costs erode competitiveness
Spain's cement consumption rose 13.2% in April to 1.45 million metric tons as robust domestic demand offset a sharp decline in exports, driven by high energy costs that have eroded the country's traditional leadership in European cement trade. The April increase of 169,197 mt year on year brought cumulative consumption for the first four months of 2026 to 5.32 million mt, up 9.3% from the same period in 2025, according to data from Oficemen, Spain's cement manufacturers association.
Hoffmann Green expands clinker-free cement in western France with Noree deal
French low-carbon cement producer Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies has signed a partnership with Noree Construction, a major construction company in western France specializing in agricultural civil engineering and outdoor aquatic facilities, as the cement maker seeks to expand its commercial footprint through regional partnerships.
Spain cement demand rises 8.5% in Q1 as construction sector rebounds
Spain's cement consumption rose 8.5% in the first quarter to 3.9 million metric tons, as a strong March recovery offset weather-related construction delays earlier in the year, potentially supporting regional trade flows in building materials as the construction sector regains momentum.
Building materials firm CRH sees strong water systems, data center demand
Building materials company CRH expects strong demand from the infrastructure sector in 2026 after reaffirming its full-year financial guidance, citing continued strength in water systems and data center construction to offset subdued residential activity.
SaltX and Holcim produce cement clinker using only electricity
Swedish green technology company SaltX and Switzerland-headquartered Holcim have produced Portland-quality cement clinker using only electricity, demonstrating a potential pathway to decarbonize one of the industrial sector's largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, the companies said in a statement.
Cement industry must innovate faster to tackle climate pressures: WCA
The global cement industry must accelerate innovation and cross-border collaboration to navigate mounting climate, geopolitical and technological pressures as the sector grapples with persistent overcapacity and a shifting demand landscape, President of the World Cement Association Wei Rushan said, according to an April 29 press release.
Kazakhstan's Steppe Cement boosts Q1 2026 sales 25% on year
Kazakhstan-based Steppe Cement increased first-quarter sales volumes by 25% year over year while raising prices, as the Central Asian producer captured a larger slice of the domestic market and advanced plans to expand production capacity by 500,000 tons, the company said. The company sold 344,058 tons of cement in the three months ended March 31, up from 276,217 tons in the same period of 2025, Steppe Cement said in a trading update on April 10.
Turkish cement maker Medcem to start up Florida clinker grinding mill in Sep
Turkish cement producer Medcem plans to begin operations at its brownfield clinker grinding facility in western Florida by September, Enver Celikbas, the company's business development and investments director said, banking on rising US cement demand driven by population growth and housing construction in the region.
Breedon warns unclear carbon border rules threaten UK cement industry
UK-based Breedon Group has called for urgent government action to ensure fair treatment of domestic cement producers ahead of the UK's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism implementation on January 1, 2027, warning that unclear rules could undermine British manufacturing and threaten investment in low-carbon technologies, according to an April 7 press release.
Soaring costs, freight pressure Turkey cement, clinker exports: official
Turkey's cement producers are battling a dual crisis of soaring costs and acute ship shortages that threaten to disrupt exports even as demand from key markets strengthens, Ender Sahin, president of Turkish Cement, a semi-governmental association representing cement producers and exporters in Turkey, told Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, in an interview on March 26.
Holcim, SaltX partner to build Europe's first electric cement plant by 2028
Sweden-based SaltX Technology and Holcim have agreed to jointly develop and validate a fully electrified production process for clinker, aiming to build Europe's first electric cement plant by 2028, the companies said March 23. The joint development agreement expands a partnership formed in June 2025 and will see the companies combine SaltX's electrified calcination technology with newly developed electric sintering methods to produce clinker without fossil fuels, the companies said.
Titan Group cautiously optimistic despite geopolitical risks
Belgium-based Titan Group remains cautiously optimistic about 2026 despite elevated geopolitical risks, including the ongoing Middle East conflict, which could drive higher energy prices and renewed supply chain uncertainty, the company said in its earnings statement March 19. Titan added that it has no direct exposure to the affected regions, but conflict-driven developments are anticipated to impact market trends and increase inflationary risks.
Europe's construction sector faces systemic barriers to innovation, study finds
Europe's construction sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation as it faces the urgent need to reduce emissions, improve resource efficiency and strengthen industrial competitiveness through the accelerated deployment of advanced and innovative materials, but systemic barriers are blocking progress despite a strong research foundation, according to a new study by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre published March 17.
Cementir sees higher revenues ahead on pricing power despite regional headwinds
Global building materials supplier Cementir said it expects higher revenues in 2026, supported mainly by price increases tracking inflation and a slight recovery in volumes during the second half of the year, though China and Turkey will continue to face headwinds.
Work to determine CBAM default values for Turkish cement, clinker 'ongoing:' European Commission
The European Commission has confirmed that it is working on publishing Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism default values for Turkish cement and clinker. "Work is ongoing with the Turkish authorities to fill remaining data gaps needed to derive default values for cement/clinker," an official spokesperson said March 4. Default CBAM values for most products and origin countries were published Dec. 17, 2025, but Turkish cement and clinker values remain absent from the latest version published Feb. 13.
Dangote Cement bets on Africa demand with capacity push
Dangote Cement's exports of cement and clinker rose 18.6% year over year to 1.4 million mt in 2025, driven by 34 clinker shipments to Ghana and Cameroon, as the Nigerian producer advances plans to transform the country into a regional export hub. The jump in exports comes even as group-wide cement volumes edged down 0.9% to 27.5 million mt, the company said in its annual report Feb. 28.
Cement markets on edge as Middle East tensions threaten costs
Cement and clinker markets saw a nervous start to the week with escalating conflict in the Middle East, with sources saying they were in wait-and-see mode for any potential impact on trade flows and prices. Turkish producers said they had not seen any "positive or negative" impact but were following the situation closely. "But chances are high that oil and coal costs will go up, affecting transportation costs and triggering high inflation.
Holcim sees sales growth as infrastructure spending accelerates
Swiss building materials company Holcim expects its net sales to grow 3%-5% in 2026 as infrastructure spending and demand for sustainable construction solutions accelerate, the company said Feb. 27 after reporting strong 2025 financial results driven by robust performance across all regions. The outlook comes as governments worldwide increase infrastructure investment and builders adopt low-carbon materials.
Çimsa's cement sales rise 26% in 2025 on international expansion, Mannok deal
Turkish cement producer Çimsa saw consolidated sales volumes jump 26% year over year in 2025, driven by a 55% surge in international operations, including newly acquired Mannok and expanded trading activities, even as domestic sales growth remained modest at 5.6%, the company said in a statement Feb. 26. The strong performance came despite a marginal 0.2% decline in Türkiye operations in the fourth quarter, while international markets recorded a 37% increase, according to company data.
Weather disruptions in Turkey, logistical issues in Vietnam tighten US cement supply
Cement buyers in the US have been voicing growing concerns about supply reliability, as disruptions in Turkey and Vietnam risk tightening import availability in the coming weeks, market and trade sources said. Smaller concerns have been reported by importers in colder US states, especially along the Northeast coast, where weather conditions typically make inland demand volatile at this time of year.
Ghana port dredging to ease cement supply constraints
Ghana's Tema port will complete dredging work at three berths used for clinker and cement imports within two weeks, enabling larger vessels to dock and potentially alleviating supply constraints that have driven up costs across the country's cement sector, Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe told local media Feb. 24. The accelerated timeline for the berths addresses congestion at offloading points that has contributed to clinker shortages and mounting demurrage charges for manufacturers.
Turkey's Medcem ships first cement cargo to new Glasgow terminal
Turkey's Medcem has dispatched its first cement cargo to a newly developed terminal in Glasgow, Scotland, marking the latest expansion of the Turkish cement producer's European distribution network as it seeks to capture market share in the UK construction materials sector. The 18,200-mt shipment is scheduled to discharge Feb. 6, with a second cargo planned for the second quarter, Enver Celikbas, business development and investments director at Medcem, told Platts Jan. 29.
Holcim invests in Norway's Capsol to advance carbon capture for cement
Swiss building materials giant Holcim has invested in Norway's Capsol Technologies to advance carbon capture capabilities at its cement plants, as the industry seeks solutions to reduce emissions from one of the world's most carbon-intensive manufacturing processes. The investment targets Capsol's hot potassium carbonate technology, which could help Holcim produce what it calls "near-zero cement" to meet growing demand for lower-carbon construction materials, Holcim said in a statement Jan.
Delayed UK carbon border tax risks undermining domestic cement makers: industry association
The UK's delayed implementation of its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism may create a competitive disadvantage for domestic cement manufacturers as the EU's CBAM enters full operation, potentially diverting higher carbon imports away from EU markets toward Britain where no border carbon costs apply, Diana Casey, executive director for energy and climate change at the Mineral Products Association (MPA), said in a Jan. 22 statement.
BUA Cement signs $240 mil deal with China's CBMI for new 3 million mt plant in Nigeria
Nigeria's BUA Cement has signed a $240 million agreement with China's CBMI to construct a new 3-million metric tons/year cement production line in Sokoto, expanding the company's total annual capacity to 20 million mt and positioning it to serve both domestic infrastructure demand and regional export markets across West Africa's landlocked countries, the company said in a statement Jan. 21.
Egypt approves new cement factories, expansions to meet demand
Egypt's government has approved three new cement factory licences and major expansions at several existing cement plants, aiming to meet rising domestic demand and strengthen the industrial sector in anticipation of regional reconstruction projects, officials announced after a key ministerial meeting, according to local media reports.
TITAN Group secures 10-year fly ash deal with Serbian utility, bolstering low-carbon strategy
TITAN Group has signed a 10-year agreement with Electric Power of Serbia EPS, the country's state-owned power utility, securing access to approximately 5 million metric tons of fresh fly ash from the TENT B "Obrenovac B" power plant, the company said in a statement Jan. 14. This move will help reinforce TITAN's long-term strategic resources in alternative cementitious materials (ACMs) and support the company's drive toward low-carbon building solutions and supply chain resilience, it said.
Egypt's Misr Beni Suef Cement obtains EPDs for 3 key cement grades
Egypt's Misr Beni Suef Cement has obtained environmental product declarations for three of its key cement products: CEM I 42.5 N, CEM I 42.5 R and CEM I 52.5 N, the company said in a social media post Jan. 13. The certified results were reported as follows: • 806 kg CO2/mt – CEM I 42.5 N • 813 kg CO2/mt – CEM I 42.5 R • 820 kg CO2/mt – CEM I 52.5 N "The certified results confirm the lowest CO2 emission levels in the Egyptian market for this product category," the company said.
Global cement demand to remain stable in 2026 as surplus emerges: association
Global cement overall demand is likely to remain broadly stable in 2026, while capacity is anticipated to be in surplus, Wei Rushan, President of the World Cement Association, said in an industry outlook released on Jan. 13. Rushan projects a moderate demand recovery in Europe from low levels, while the US market is expected to maintain stability. Latin America is predicted to see steady growth, with stronger expansion anticipated across the Middle East, Africa, and South-West Asia.
INTERVIEW: Clinker emerges as standout success for Turkish cement in 2025: Ender Sahin
The Turkish cement industry experienced a remarkable resurgence in 2025, marking its best performance in the past five years. However, intensified competition in key export markets and ongoing challenges such as foreign exchange volatility and regulatory shifts like the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism remain a concern for 2026.
Slow European construction activity weighs on petrochemical, steel, cement demand
European petrochemical, steel and cement markets have seen continued sluggish buying interest in the fourth quarter of 2025 as a result of muted European construction activity. Petrochemicals The European PVC market has seen slow demand from the construction industry in Q4 2025. PVC is used in numerous construction applications including pipes, window profiles and fittings. Buying interest from the window profile sector marginally outperformed demand for the pipe sector.
Spain's cement imports surge as consumption rises, exports fall: trade group
Spain's cement and clinker imports during the first 11 months of the year rose 36.8% totaling 1.3 million metric tons, driven mainly by clinker imports, which saw an increase of 61.5% year over year, according to data released Dec. 22 by Oficemen, the Spanish cement association. Exports during the period fell 10% year over year, with a total of 4.17 million mt exported in these 11 months, down 0.45 million mt compared with the previous year.
Spain's Molins to acquire Portugal's Secil for Eur1.4 billion
Spanish construction materials company Molins has agreed to acquire Portuguese cement producer Secil Companhia Geral de Cal e Cimento, S.A. for Eur1.4 billion, a deal that will expand the buyer's footprint into Brazil's growing construction market while strengthening its European operations. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, Molins said in a statement Dec. 19.
Vietnam's clinker prices hit 3-month high on tight supply
Vietnam's FOB clinker prices climbed to $32/mt in the week to Dec. 18, marking a three-month high and the strongest level since mid-September, according to data from Platts, part of S&P Global Energy. Prices rose about 8.5% from the mid-November lows of $29.5/mt as tight supply and active buying continued to support the market, the data showed.
Cement importers dread CBAM rollout as EU finally releases details
The European Commission announced updates to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Dec. 17, publishing the implementing and delegate acts for the definitive period and proposing additional anti-circumvention measures, but European cement and clinker importers say they are "dreading" the implementation phase from Jan. 1.
Swedish cement innovator Cemvision, JM complete near-zero-carbon pilot casting
Swedish cement manufacturer Cemvision and Norway-based residential developer JM have successfully completed their first joint pilot casting using Cemvision's near-zero-carbon cement in a Swedish construction project with Re-ment Massive, Cemvision said in a statement Dec. 16. Cemvision's near-zero-carbon cement is said to reduce climate impact by up to 95%.
New EAD on blended cements 'major milestone' in low-carbon cements: Ecocem
European low-carbon cement provider Ecocem has hailed the publication of a new European Assessment Document on blended cements as a "major milestone" for the commercialization of low-carbon cements in Europe, the company said in a statement Dec. 16. "The EAD provides regulatory clarity, confirming that Ecocem's breakthrough ACT technology meets recognised technical requirements for the European construction market," Ecocem said.
Holcim to acquire majority stake in Peruvian cement maker Cementos Pacasmayo
Holcim is set to acquire a majority stake in Cementos Pacasmayo, a leading Peruvian producer of building materials, in a transaction valued at approximately $1.5 billion, Holcim said in a statement Dec. 16. This strategic acquisition is expected to bolster Holcim's presence in Latin America, aligning with its NextGen Growth 2030 strategy, which aims to accelerate growth in this region, it said.
Cemvision, Tata Steel partner to explore steel slag conversion into low-carbon cement
Swedish green cement producer Cemvision and Tata Steel have partnered to explore converting steelmaking slag into high-value feedstock for near-zero-carbon cement, while also recovering valuable metals, Cemvision said in a statement Dec. 8.
Turkey's Medcem sends first cement shipments to its new terminals in Europe
Turkey's leading cement producer and exporter, Medcem, has shipped its first cement ship to its new terminal in Antwerp and will soon load a ship for its new terminal in Trieste, Italy, Enver Celikbas, business development and investment director at Medcem, told Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, in an interview Dec. 1. The 20,000-metric-ton CEM I 52.5 N cement shipment to Antwerp is scheduled to discharge on Dec.
Holcim UK urges EPDs in regulations to eliminate greenwashing, promote informed choices
Alastair Meyers, Managing Director of Holcim UK's Readymix concrete division, has urged the incorporation of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) into UK regulations and legislation to eliminate greenwashing and promote informed decision-making in the construction industry, according to a company statement Nov. 21.
Spanish cement consumption rises amid higher imports, falling exports
Spain's cement imports rose 28.6% over November 2024-October 2025, while exports fell 1.2% to nearly 4.7 million mt and consumption soared 10.4% to 16.2 million mt over the same period, according to data released Nov. 21 by Oficemen, the Spanish cement association. Cement consumption rose 18.5% year over year to nearly 1.7 million mt in October, bringing total consumption during the first 10 months of 2025 to nearly 13.8 million mt, up 1.35 million mt year over year, the data showed.
Titan to invest over Eur3 bil to expand US and Europe cement, low-carbon products
Titan Materials said it will invest over Eur3 billion to drive robust growth in its core business, according to a company statement Nov. 11. The investment will focus on expanding cement capacity, enhancing its alternative cementitious materials platform, and innovating low-carbon products. This initiative is part of the company's Titan Forward 2029 strategic growth plan, which aims to scale next-generation technologies and solutions, the company said.
INTERVIEW: Egypt's cement industry eyes export growth amid strong regional demand
Egypt remains a key player in the cement industry, not only in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region but also globally. Its export policies significantly impact global trade, as demonstrated earlier this year when the removal of subsidies on clinker exports to West Africa triggered a domino effect of supply shortages and price increases worldwide.
Cementitious materials key to NASA's lunar construction plans
NASA is developing technologies aimed at producing cement-based structures in-situ on the moon within the next eight years, according to a researcher at NASA contractor Amentum Space Exploration Group, speaking at the recent Intercem conference in Houston, Texas. Not registered? Receive daily email alerts, subscriber notes & personalize your experience.
Global cement demand expected stable in 2025: On Field Investment
Global cement demand is forecast to remain steady in mature markets in 2025, but recovery in North America and Europe is likely to be sluggish, primarily due to high interest rates and ongoing trade uncertainties, according to Yassine Touahri, managing partner at On Field Investment Research. Not registered? Receive daily email alerts, subscriber notes & personalize your experience. Speaking at the Intercem Americas conference in Houston, Texas, held over Nov.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Binny
Contact Binny, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack