The real impact of environmental legislation on the cement industry

A number of cement companies implemented initiatives aimed at maximum energy efficiency and increased use of alternative fuels, which led to a higher profitability of production. At the same time, tighter legislation related to climate change and the consequent measures taken by market participants would pave the way for certain negative phenomena. Reducing the cost of production at all cement plants will cause a decline in prices for their products and the profitability. The rapid transition from a low degree of clinker substitution with other materials to a higher one will require decommissioning of production capacities, or lead to a significant reduction in the plant availability factor. A realistic outlook of cement producers is needed to change the environmental legislation and inform the authorities of the consequences in order to protect the interests of the industry.

Author: T. Pavlopoulos

Section: Ecology and safety

Keywords: cement production, CO2 emissions, environmental legislation, production cost, capacity utilisation rate, clinker substitution