The cement market in Catalonia has started 2024 the same as it closed 2023: with a notable drop in consumption, production and export volumes. The statistics collected in January indicates a 5.8% decrease in consumption, which remains at 171,000 tons and has already accumulated 10 consecutive months of reduction. This figure brings the drop in consumption to 10.2% in annual terms. Sales in foreign markets also follow the same pattern: decrease of 28.9% in January and 10.2% in the last 12 months.
The poor market situation adds to the difficulties that the sector must overcome to achieve the decarbonization objectives defined in the Roadmap to achieve climate neutrality in 2050. Salvador Fernández Capo, president of the Ciment Català employers’ association, recalls that factories cement “have already reduced CO2 emissions by more than 40% since 1990 “but that to reach a zero emissions balance in 2050” a significant economic effort will have to be assumed, especially with the implementation of capture, storage, and use of carbon dioxide, known as CAUC technologies.
For this reason, he demands the determined support of the Public Administration “both in the form of financial aid for these projects and to establish a clear regulatory framework” that ensures the return of the investments that companies will have to make. The fight against Climate Change, says Fernández Capo, “is a commitment shared by our industry and by public authorities. We need to move forward together”.
This demand in the Administration is added to that of the implementation of a single window for the processing of permits related to the decarbonization of the sector. Now, each OGAU (Unified Environmental Management Office) in the territory works differently, but the needs of the sector are unique. It is necessary to unify and clarify procedures and doctrine on each change request process that factories may carry out. And standardize the response times for each request.