Spain: cement consumption increased by 13 %

According to the latest data published in Cement Statistics, cement consumption increased by 13% in Spain in the first eight months of 2021 and reached 9,581,951 tons, which is 1,152,774 tons more than in the same period of 2020. 

Comparing these indicators with those of the same period in 2019, there is still a negative difference of 2%. According to Spanish Cement Association Oficemen, cement consumption will recover and reach the pre-pandemic level at the end of 2021.

It is expected that with an increase in demand for cement in the construction sector in 2021, its consumption growth will be about 9% compared to 2020, and in physical terms, consumption volumes will reach 14.6 mln tons, which is close to the indicators of the pre-pandemic 2019 – 14.72 mln tons.

Forecast for 2021 is based on aggregate indicators for the period September 2020 – August 2021 with an increase of 8.4% – over the last 12 months cement consumption amounted to 14.5 mln tons.

José Manuel Cascajero, President of Oficemen, noted, "thanks to the positive dynamics and growth in cement consumption in recent months, it is safe to say that the indicators of our neighboring countries (Portugal and Germany) will gradually be achieved, where the share of cement consumption per capita is still higher."

The Spanish cement industry has been hit hardest by the increase in electricity costs, according to a report by the Bank of Spain. Currently, energy costs account for 42% of its variable production costs, which have increased by 12 points since the beginning of the escalation of electricity prices. Added to this is the cost of CO₂ emission quotas, the price doubled last year, reaching €61.37/t.

"To introduce tax incentives and provide compensation, it is carried out in France or Germany," added the President of the Association. He stressed that "the loss of competitiveness in the export market is also due to the active trade of countries that are not subject to obligations to reduce CO₂ emissions."

Since 2018, Turkey has doubled its exports, most of which are destined for the countries of the Mediterranean arc. Algeria exported 3.6 mln tons of cement in 2020, compared with 400 thou. tons in 2018.

Based on the materials of the Spanish Cement Association