Concrete

AFCM Unveils 2035 Regional Decarbonisation Roadmap for Cement Sector

AFCM launches world’s first regional decarbonisation plan for cement at Brunei meet.

Published

2 months ago

December 5, 2025

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The ASEAN Federation of Cement Manufacturers (AFCM) has formally launched the 2035 AFCM Decarbonisation Roadmap, becoming the first regional bloc in the world to introduce a unified decarbonisation strategy for the cement sector. The announcement was made at the 46th AFCM Council Meeting in Brunei Darussalam, chaired by Dr Chana Poomee, and attended by leaders and representatives of cement associations from all eight AFCM member countries. The launch comes as global attention intensifies ahead of COP30 in Brazil, where climate action is expected to be a central priority.

Cement production remains integral to infrastructure and economic development across the ASEAN region, yet it is also a major contributor to CO? emissions. The 2035 AFCM Decarbonisation Roadmap signals a collective regional commitment to accelerating emissions reduction in alignment with national climate policies and global sustainability goals, reinforcing AFCM’s leadership in the transition to low carbon cement production.

Dr Chana Poomee, AFCM President and Chairman of the Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA), described the roadmap as a landmark achievement for the region’s cement industry. He noted that the shared framework would support systematic CO? reduction, strengthen regional competitiveness and enhance ASEAN’s contribution to global climate objectives.

Developed with strong support from the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), the 2035 Roadmap sets out a comprehensive transition pathway anchored around four strategic pillars:

• Expansion of low carbon cement enabled by performance-based standards;

• Transition to clean and renewable energy across production processes, alongside improved thermal and electrical efficiency;

• Deployment of advanced decarbonisation technologies, including Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS); and

• Development of new supplementary cementitious materials to support next-generation low carbon cement products.

Dr Chana urged all AFCM members to treat the roadmap as a coordinated regional strategy for sustainable growth. At the ASEAN level, the measures outlined have the potential to reduce up to 38 million tonnes of CO2 by 2035. While the roadmap sets a collective vision, it acknowledges the diversity of national conditions, recognising that each member country will set its own targets based on regulatory frameworks, industrial maturity and technological capacity. One key early-action priority is the reduction and phasedown of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), providing an immediate opportunity for substantial emissions cuts.

Cement associations from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam expressed strong support for the roadmap and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing decarbonisation within their national contexts. Members emphasised the need for supportive policies, expanded use of alternative fuels, improved energy efficiency, accelerated adoption of advanced technologies and greater promotion of low carbon cement and concrete solutions. They also recognised that specific decarbonisation pathways will vary based on each country’s energy mix, material availability, policy environment and market readiness.

“The 2035 AFCM Decarbonisation Roadmap presents a significant opportunity to enhance regional competitiveness, drive sustainable development and unlock substantial economic benefits. Government support, including policy adaptation, will be essential for effective implementation. Through collaboration, innovation and collective action, AFCM can accelerate the adoption of low carbon technologies, attract green investment, create new economic opportunities and build a resilient, future-ready cement industry that contributes meaningfully to global decarbonisation,” Dr Chana concluded.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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NBCC Wins Rs 550m IOB Office Project In Raipur

PMC Contract Covers Design, Execution And Handover

Published

3 hours ago

January 20, 2026

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State-owned construction major NBCC India Ltd has secured a new domestic work order worth around Rs 550.2 million from Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) in the normal course of business, according to a regulatory filing.

The project involves planning, designing, execution and handover of IOB’s new Regional Office building at Raipur. The contract has been awarded under NBCC’s project management consultancy (PMC) operations and excludes GST.

NBCC said the order further strengthens its construction and infrastructure portfolio. The company clarified that the contract is not a related party transaction and that neither its promoter nor promoter group has any interest in the awarding entity.

The development has been duly disclosed to the stock exchanges as part of NBCC’s standard compliance requirements.

Concrete

Nuvoco Q3 EBITDA Jumps As Cement Sales Hit Record

Premium products and cost control lift profitability

Published

1 day ago

January 19, 2026

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Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd reported a strong financial performance for the quarter ended 31 December 2025 (Q3 FY26), driven by record cement sales, higher premium product volumes and improved operational efficiencies.

The company achieved its highest-ever third-quarter consolidated cement sales volume of 5 million tonnes, registering growth of 7 per cent year-on-year. Consolidated revenue from operations rose 12 per cent to Rs 27.01 billion during the quarter. EBITDA increased sharply by 50 per cent YoY to Rs 3.86 billion, supported by improved pricing and cost management.

Premium products continued to be a key growth driver, sustaining a historic high contribution of 44 per cent for the second consecutive quarter. The strong momentum reflects rising brand traction for the Nuvoco Concreto and Nuvoco Duraguard ranges, which are increasingly recognised as trusted choices in building materials.

In the ready-mix concrete segment, Nuvoco witnessed healthy demand traction across its Concreto product portfolio. The company launched Concreto Tri Shield, a specialised offering delivering three-layer durability and a 50 per cent increase in structural lifespan. In the modern building materials category, the firm introduced Nuvoco Zero M Unnati App, a digital loyalty platform aimed at improving influencer engagement, transparency and channel growth.

Despite heavy rainfall affecting parts of the quarter, the company maintained improved performance supported by strong premiumisation and operational discipline. Capacity expansion projects in the East, along with ongoing execution at the Vadraj Cement facilities, remain on track. The operationalisation of the clinker unit and grinding capacity, planned in phases starting Q3 FY27, is expected to lift total cement capacity to around 35 million tonnes per annum, reinforcing Nuvoco’s position as India’s fifth-largest cement group.

Commenting on the results, Managing Director Mr Jayakumar Krishnaswamy said Q3 marked strong recovery and momentum despite economic challenges. He highlighted double-digit volume growth, premium-led expansion and a 50 per cent rise in EBITDA. The company also recorded its lowest blended fuel cost in 17 quarters at Rs 1.41 per Mcal. Refurbishment and project execution at the Vadraj Cement Plant are progressing steadily, which, along with strategic capacity additions and cost efficiencies, is expected to strengthen Nuvoco’s long-term competitive advantage.

Concrete

Cement Industry Backs Co-Processing to Tackle Global Waste

Industry bodies recently urged policy support for cement co-processing as waste solution

Published

5 days ago

January 15, 2026

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Leading industry bodies, including the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), European Composites Industry Association, International Solid Waste Association – Africa, Mission Possible Partnership and the Global Waste-to-Energy Research and Technology Council, have issued a joint statement highlighting the cement industry’s potential role in addressing the growing global challenge of non-recyclable and non-reusable waste. The organisations have called for stronger policy support to unlock the full potential of cement industry co-processing as a safe, effective and sustainable waste management solution.

Co-processing enables both energy recovery and material recycling by using suitable waste to replace fossil fuels in cement kilns, while simultaneously recycling residual ash into the cement itself. This integrated approach delivers a zero-waste solution, reduces landfill dependence and complements conventional recycling by addressing waste streams that cannot be recycled or are contaminated.

Already recognised across regions including Europe, India, Latin America and North America, co-processing operates under strict regulatory and technical frameworks to ensure high standards of safety, emissions control and transparency.

Commenting on the initiative, Thomas Guillot, Chief Executive of the GCCA, said co-processing offers a circular, community-friendly waste solution but requires effective regulatory frameworks and supportive public policy to scale further. He noted that while some cement kilns already substitute over 90 per cent of their fuel with waste, many regions still lack established practices.

The joint statement urges governments and institutions to formally recognise co-processing within waste policy frameworks, support waste collection and pre-treatment, streamline permitting, count recycled material towards national recycling targets, and provide fiscal incentives that reflect environmental benefits. It also calls for stronger public–private partnerships and international knowledge sharing.

With global waste generation estimated at over 11 billion tonnes annually and uncontrolled municipal waste projected to rise sharply by 2050, the signatories believe co-processing represents a practical and scalable response. With appropriate policy backing, it can help divert waste from landfills, reduce fossil fuel use in cement manufacturing and transform waste into a valuable societal resource.