The four cement companies associated with Ciment Català maintain their activity to ensure the supply of product during the health emergency situation caused by COVID-19. The Catalan cement industry, which has the most up-to-date technology, is prepared to face the crisis scenario, and has implemented protection protocols for its employees, which include teleworking in all possible areas, and the provision of PPE (equipment of individual protection) suitable for plant workers. Despite the fact that cement consumption has decreased due to the stoppage of works during the period from March 30 to April 13, the sector continues its activity in order to guarantee supply for market needs and thus contribute, to a faster recovery of normality and the economy.
In addition, the Catalan cement industry, according to the consultations carried out with the Agència de Residus de Catalunya, is at the complete disposal of the public authorities to, if required, collaborate in the destruction of sanitary waste caused by the pandemic of the COVID-19 within its clinker production process. As already happened with the cases of animal meal in 2000, or more recently in the destruction of meat contaminated with listeriosis, it is not the first time that the cement industry collaborates with the Public Administrations to contribute their efforts and available resources to the resolution of sanitary crises, highlighting the specific and singular characteristics of its manufacturing process. In this sense, when clinker production has the highest temperatures of any industrial process, higher than 2,000ºC, the energy recovery of said waste can be carried out with all the environmental and safety and health guarantees of employees, citizens and the natural environment.
The Board of Directors of Ciment Català calls for Public Administrations to activate, as soon as possible, the necessary investment plans that allow an immediate recovery of economic activity and the consequent return to normal citizenship. The needs for social housing and protection of the territory, investments in sustainable mobility to reduce the impact of climate change, or the updating and maintenance of hydraulic infrastructures or for logistics activities are key to recovering the economy as a whole. An objective to which the Catalan cement sector is willing to commit its efforts.