INTERCEM 2026

Türkiye's cement sector took centre stage as senior industry representatives examined the pressures facing one of the world's major cement exporting markets.

The panel focused on key international trade routes and the steps Turkish cement producers are taking to reinforce their competitiveness as exposure to commercial and geopolitical risks increases. With export markets facing different economic, regulatory and carbon requirements, the discussion considered how producers are responding to greater uncertainty across international cement trade.

Syria's domestic recovery brought the country's cement market back into focus, with the session examining the outlook for cement and building materials as reconstruction progresses.

The presentation considered the development of domestic demand and the market conditions facing Syria's cement industry. The scale of future rebuilding requirements also raised wider questions around production capacity, investment and the potential role of regional cement and clinker supply as the country's construction market recovers.

CBAM was one of the major commercial issues addressed at INTERCEM 2026, particularly for Turkish producers supplying European markets. The masterclass examined the financial and operational implications of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism alongside Türkiye's developing Emissions Trading System.

The programme covered carbon-cost exposure, reporting requirements, financial risk management and the practical effect of CBAM on Turkish cement producers. These issues directly into the commercial context, examining how carbon regulation is affecting competitiveness and the management of cement exports into Europe through presentations, interviews, and an industry panel.

Shipping remained central to the economics of international cement and clinker trade, with consecutive sessions examining the wider dry bulk market and the specialist cement carrier sector.

The programme considered the freight environment and the market factors affecting vessel demand, availability and international cargo movements. A dedicated review of cement carriers then narrowed the focus to the specialist fleet serving cementitious materials, connecting vessel-market developments with changing cement and clinker trade requirements. This provided important information for the maritime region with the strongest use of cement carriers globally.

The Platts Cement & Clinker Forum brought cement, clinker and freight markets together through a series of presentations and industry discussion. The programme examined Platts CLX and CEMDEX price trends and market fundamentals, alongside freight signals across international shipping markets and the Eastern Mediterranean.

The forum also considered how greater price transparency can support physical trading, financing and risk transfer. For companies buying, selling and transporting cementitious materials internationally, the discussion connected commodity pricing and freight benchmarks with the commercial tools used to manage exposure in increasingly complex markets.

Egypt's cement market was presented as entering a stronger, more structural growth phase, supported by recovering macroeconomic conditions, pent-up construction demand and long-duration private investment projects. Panellists cited a 13% increase in consumption in 2024/25 following the reopening of construction permits in early 2024, while forecasting more sustainable annual growth of 8–10% over the next three to five years. Demand was linked to major developments on the North Coast, Red Sea and Marasi, as well as a shift from bagged cement towards bulk supply for larger projects.

The discussion also focused on Egypt's export and logistics opportunity. Cement and clinker exports were expected to fall in 2026 amid regional disruption, higher freight and insurance costs, and weaker conditions in markets including Sudan and Libya. However, speakers described exports as a long-term industry pillar, with growing focus on finished cement, bulk terminals, larger vessels and markets including West Africa and the US. Port infrastructure and bulk-storage capacity are expanding, but trucking remains a major constraint. Alternative fuels, renewable energy, lower-clinker products and CBAM readiness were presented as important for improving competitiveness, lowering exposure to imported coal and supporting more sustainable exports.