Displaying items by tag: VDZ

Germany: Environmental data from the German Cement Works Association (VDZ) show that average nitrogen dioxide emissions (NO₂) from cement production dropped below 300mg/Nm³ in 2017. The value has more than halved since 2000. Other data from the ‘Environmental Data of the German Cement Industry 2017’ report shows that fossil fuels usage by the cement industry fell to 35% in 2017 compared to 45.6% in 2008.

"By consistently promoting the development of clinker-efficient cements, German cement manufacturers are noticeably reducing the carbon footprint as compared to traditional Portland cements," said VDZ President Christian Knell.

Knell also warned that the costs of carbon capture technologies should not be allowed to jeopardise the competitiveness of domestic cement manufacturers and give rise to ‘undesirable’ carbon leakage effects. The industry is currently researching methods to further reduce CO₂ emissions such as carbon capture, storage and utilisation techniques, but it is dependent on external financing.

18 German cement manufacturers with a total of 46 cement plants are members of the VDZ. The local industry employs around 8000 people.

Germany: The German Cement Works Association (VDZ) says that cement consumption grew by 4.8% year-on-year to 28.8Mt in 2017. It has attributed this boost to higher investments in new construction work and acknowledged the benefits of good weather. However, the association expects much less growth in 2018.

Data from the German Federal Statistical Office indicates that domestic demand for cement was almost completely covered by German-based producers in 2017. Only 1.6Mt of cement or 5.4% had to be imported. This figure has increased slightly compared to the preceding years. The same applies to cement exports, which rose by 1.6% to a total of around 6.2Mt.

"Potential for growth is still evident in certain construction sectors. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to exploit this as we are reaching capacity limits in the construction industry," said VDZ president Christian Knell.

Germany: The German Cement Works Association (VDZ) expects cement consumption to continue growing in 2017. The pronouncement follows data showing that consumption rose by 3.2% year-on-year in the country to 27.5Mt in 2016. VDZ president Christian Knell attributed the growth to a high level of building activity and good weather. Looking forward to the rest of 2017, he said that housing and infrastructure projects are expected to support the growth of cement sales.

Germany: Around 27.1Mt of cement was used in Germany in 2014. This represents a 2.2% increase in consumption as compared with 2013. The German Cement Works Association (VDZ) is also predicting further growth for 2015.

"Significant catch-up effects from 2013 and mild weather really bolstered cement consumption, particularly in the first quarter of 2014," said Gerhard Hirth, president of the VDZ. However, the generally reserved economic climate had a dampening effect on construction investment over the rest of the year. "We experienced considerable increases in demand all year, mainly in housing," said Hirth. "In addition, due to the advantages of concrete construction in multi-storey buildings, cement manufacturers have managed to further increase their market share over recent years."

Domestic cement demand for cement was almost completely covered by German manufacturers in 2014. Just 1.2Mt, or 4%, was imported in 2014. Cement and clinker exports fell slightly year-on-year to 6.2Mt.

According to Hirth, the German cement industry has started 2015 with a positive outlook. "Due to the dynamic overall economic development and the continuing high demand for new housing, we are expecting growth of around 1% in cement consumption to approx. 27.3Mt in 2015," said Hirth.

Germany: The member companies of the German Cement Works Association (VDZ) elected a new board of directors on 8 April 2014. After a three-year period of tenure, VDZ president, Gerhard Hirth of Schwenk Zement was again confirmed in office. HeidelbergCement's Christian Knell, Spenner Zement's Dirk Spenner and Cemex Deutchland's Eric Wittmann were elected as vice presidents.

"I would like to thank our member companies for their support over the previous years and I look forward to the pending tasks," said VDZ president Gerhard Hirth. After some difficult years for the German cement industry, he takes a positive view and expects the demand for cement to grow in 2014 due to the favourable trend in terms of building permissions for both residential and non-residential construction, as already indicated by the good figures from domestic cement deliveries during the few first months 2014.

"The agreement with regard to the EU state aid procedure on the Renewable Energies Act (EEG) surcharge is also a great relief for German cement manufacturers," said Hirth. The complete elimination of the so-called special equalisation scheme would have burdened companies with more than Euro30,000 of additional power costs per job. Hirth added, "However, the sharpened competition pressure from abroad, which can be seen from the increase in cement imports and the sinking exports, continues to present our industry with enormous challenges together with the compliance with climate protection goals and emission reductions."

The German Cement Works Association has campaigned for the interests and concerns of German cement manufacturers for more than 135 years. Currently, 20 German cement manufacturers are full members of the Association, which, together with a total of 49 cement plants and around 7300 employees, produce around 32Mt/yr cement and generate a turnover of Euro2.2bn.

Germany: The German Cement Works Association (VDZ) and the Federal Association of German Cement Industry (BDZ) are due to merge in the spring of 2012 as the German Cement Works Association (VDZ).

This new body will represent 23 domestic cement companies with close to 7500 direct employees. It will represent about 95% of the cement industry in Germany with a turnover of approximately Euro2.1bn. "The merger gives us significantly greater clout and reach," said chief executive Dr Martin Schneider, who is set to lead the new organisation.

The German Cement Works Association will remain in Düsseldorf using the existing structure of the VDZ, allowing substantial resources to be concentrated. Schneider added that the established cooperation with the German Building Materials Association (BBS) will be strengthened allowing for better links between the German cement industry and the construction industry as a whole, as well as other partners in energy-intensive industry.