In March 2018, Western Sahara Resource Watch (WSRW) addressed a letter to HeidelbergCement CEO, Bernd Scheifele, expressing concerns regarding the company's operations in Western Sahara. WSRW claims that El Aaiún cement factory, owned by HeidelbergCemenet subsidiary Italcementi, may be furthering Morocco’s illegal military occupation. 

According to the letter, Morocco has failed to meet basic requirements of the Fourth Geneva Convention, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. WSRW also highlights a 2016 ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union which acknowledges Western Sahara as “separate and distinct” from Morocco.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited HeidelbergCement to respond to these allegations, but the company did not provide response.