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Cement

Cement is a binding material used in construction to bond aggregates such as sand and gravel into concrete, and is a fundamental component of the global building and infrastructure industries. It is produced by heating limestone and clay or other silica-bearing materials in a kiln at temperatures exceeding 1 400 °C, forming clinker, which is then ground with gypsum to create the fine powder known as cement. The most common type is Portland cement, which accounts for the majority of global production and is used in applications ranging from residential buildings to large-scale infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, dams and ports. Cement manufacturing is energy-intensive and relies heavily on coal, electricity and alternative fuels, making it sensitive to energy costs and supply constraints. The industry is also a significant source of carbon dioxide emissions, both from the combustion of fuels and the chemical process of calcining limestone, prompting growing investment in lower-carbon technologies and alternative binders. Major cement producers operate integrated plants that combine quarrying, clinker production and grinding, often located near limestone deposits to minimise transport costs. In Africa, cement demand is driven by urbanisation, population growth and infrastructure development, with South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Kenya among the largest markets. The sector is characterised by high capital intensity, economies of scale and regional market structures, with multinational groups and domestic players competing alongside state-owned enterprises in some countries. Cement prices are influenced by raw material availability, energy costs, transport logistics, import competition and construction activity cycles. The industry faces ongoing challenges including energy security, environmental regulation, capacity utilisation and the need to balance growth with sustainability objectives.

Cement Updates


PPC CEO Matias Cardarelli
PPC delivers 67% Ebitda increase as turnaround strategy progresses
8th June 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

JSE-listed cement producer PPC says it has delivered a second consecutive year of strong turnaround-driven performance for the 12 months ended March 31, with a step-change in results across all key... 


Trade remedy reviews
5th June 2026 By: Riaan de Lange

Diarise it. Diarise June 22, or circle it on your calendar if you are old school. Why should you diarise it? Well, the day is celebrated as World Rainforest Day, International Being You Day, and... 


Association marks ten-year anniversary
5th June 2026

International cement association and representative body the World Cement Association (WCA), celebrated its tenth anniversary on May 18, 2026, adding that this milestone was achieved during a... 


a handful of refuse waste and high-calorific materials
Alternative fuels can reduce costs
5th June 2026 By: Halima Frost

Converting hazardous waste and high-calorific materials into alternative fuels has enabled cement manufacturing facilities to partially or fully replace the coal used to fire cement kilns.... 


EE Publishers MD Chris Yelland
Opinion: Why Eskom's carbon intensity may become the biggest strategic challenge for South African exporters
1st June 2026

In this article, EE Business Intelligence MD Chris Yelland writes that the immediate impact of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on South African exports is relatively limited, but... 


Image of cement plant
RK3 plant, South Africa – update
29th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Investment in the project continues to progress in line with strategic priorities.  


Lime production in Zambia
ZCCM-IH, Wonderful Group to invest $30m on reviving Ndola lime production facility
27th May 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Zambia's State-owned mineral and energy investment holding company ZCCM Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) has entered into a joint venture (JV) with the Wonderful Group of Companies to develop and... 


PPC issues positive trading update as turnaround strategy continues
PPC issues positive trading update as turnaround strategy continues
25th May 2026 By: Terence Creamer

JSE-listed cement producer PPC has issued a positive trading update ahead of its full-year financial results in June, attributing the improvement to its ongoing turnaround strategy. The statement... 


Factories drive Africa’s billionaires
22nd May 2026 By: Martin Zhuwakinyu

We in South Africa have long comforted ourselves with the assumption that, whatever the continent’s turbulence, our economy is Africa’s biggest, anchored by deep capital markets, globally... 


Afrimat CEO Andries van Heerden
Afrimat posts solid results; sets focus on growing cash generation, reducing debt
21st May 2026 By: Schalk Burger

Although it remains profitable, is able to service its debt and posted good results for the financial year ended February 28, JSE-listed construction materials and industrial minerals mining... 


Iron-ore operation in Brazil
Brazil proposes three-phase carbon market rollout starting 2027
20th May 2026 By: Reuters

Brazil's Finance Ministry on Tuesday released a preliminary proposal for phased sectoral coverage of the country's regulated carbon market, outlining which industries will be required to report... 


PPC CEO Matias Cardarelli
PPC, Sinoma Overseas to increase cement, clinker production capacity in Zimbabwe
19th May 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

JSE-listed construction materials company PPC has signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with international engineering company Sinoma Overseas to cooperate on various initiatives aimed at... 


A flue at the Kusile power station
New technology nearing pilot-plant stage
8th May 2026 By: Halima Frost

To advance its locally developed carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) technology, South African company EPCM Global Engineering is progressing to the next stage of development through a... 


A PPC cement plant
Heidelberg weighs bid to acquire South African cement firm PPC
5th May 2026 By: Bloomberg

Heidelberg Materials is in talks with banks to appoint financial advisers as it considers a bid for top South African cement maker PPC, according to people familiar with the matter. The German... 


One of the reinforced concrete duo-cell silos under repair at the PPC Hercules plant
PPC rehabilitates duo-cell silo at Hercules plant
28th April 2026 By: Schalk Burger

JSE-listed construction materials company PPC has completed the R26-million major structural rehabilitation of one of the reinforced concrete duo-cell silos at its Hercules plant, in Tshwane,... 


The Nkomati anthracite mine
Afrimat to report higher full-year EPS, HEPS
21st April 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

JSE-listed Afrimat expects to report a 22.1% to 32.1% year-on-year increase in earnings per share (EPS) to between 76.9c and 83.2c for the financial year ended February 28. In a trading statement,... 


Image of an a person wearing a hardhat working on a laptop
Generative AI enhances insights into energy management systems
17th April 2026

Electrification and automation technology specialist ABB has integrated its generative AI solution, ABB Ability Industrial Knowledge Vault (IKV) with its ABB Ability Energy Management System (EMS).... 


Image of SKF Cooper sealed split spherical roller bearings
Innovative bearings reduce repair time and keep operations moving
9th April 2026

SKF Cooper sealed split spherical roller bearings feature precision‑engineered joining methods that secure the inner and outer rings for optimal structural integrity. The sealing system... 


PPC CEO Matias Cardarelli
PPC says ‘more to come’ from turnaround even if market remains subdued
3rd April 2026 By: Terence Creamer

PPC CEO Matias Cardarelli says there is “more to come” from the cement producer’s operational and financial turnaround regardless of whether market conditions, which have remained subdued during... 


PPC CEO Matias Cardarelli
PPC says ‘more to come’ from turnaround even if market stays subdued
18th March 2026 By: Terence Creamer

PPC CEO Matias Cardarelli says there is “more to come” from the cement producer’s operational and financial turnaround regardless of whether market conditions, which have remained subdued during... 


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