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Displaying items by tag: lobbying
LafargeHolcim Maroc Afrique lobbies Cameroon government to raise regulation cement prices
17 September 2021Cameroon: A delegation of LafargeHolcim Maroc Afrique representatives has met Minister of Commerce Luc-Magloire Mbarga Atangana to ask him to raise the legally enacted price of cement. The company says that its subsidiary Cimencam’s costs have risen by US$3.58 – 5.37m due to increased clinker prices. This has reportedly resulted in increased costs per bag of US$2.15.
Mbarga Atanga told the World Trade Organisation that clinker prices doubled and gypsum prices rose by 60%year-on-year in the first half of 2021. The Ministry of Commerce previously raised cement prices in 2011.
German Cement Works Association calls for reliable framework conditions for climate neutral cement production by 2050
10 September 2021Germany: The German Cement Works Association (VDZ) has lobbied national and European Union governments for ‘appropriate and reliable’ framework conditions for the industry’s to realise its sustainability objectives. Its Environmental Data of the German Cement Industry 2020 report set out the sector’s agenda under three overlapping headings: climate neutrality by 2050, preservation of primary raw materials and air pollution control. The VDZ said that government support for the necessary ‘unprecedented’ reduction in CO2 emissions will be especially vital in the area of renewable power and the creation of a functioning CO2 infrastructure.
VDZ president Christian Knell said “The often bureaucratic and complex processes involved in approval procedures and applications for funds to finance necessary investments are a cause for concern.”
Pakistan Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan urges government action against rising cement prices
01 September 2021Pakistan: The Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) has asked the government to appoint a commission to investigate rises in cement prices. The Pakistan Observer newspaper has reported that ABAD chair Fayyaz Ilyas alleged that producers had colluded as a cartel. He said that price rises have prevented the construction sector from being able to realise the aims of the Naya Pakistan housing scheme.
Mozambique: Adil Cement, África Cement Factory, Maputo Cement, National Cement, Limak Cement Factory, Royal Cement and Suneira Cement Fonte have written a letter to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce complaining about ‘unfair’ pricing by Dugongo Cement. They allege that the pricing of their Chinese-backed rival breaks local competition law and has caused harm to their businesses, according to Moçambique Media Online. The price of cement has reportedly dropped by as much as 70% since Dugongo Cement’s new plant opened in May 2021.
Belgium: The European cement association Cembureau says that the European Union’s (EU) upcoming ‘Fit for 55’ emissions legislation must provide an enabling regulatory framework for the cement industry’s carbon neutrality roadmap. Key issues of concern to the association are the prevention of carbon leakage, the retention of free allocation and a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) until 2030 and the need for a ‘coherent package’ to boost the uptake of low-carbon technologies. It said that the industry supports the European Green Deal and the major challenge of delivering deep emissions cuts by 2030.
Chief executive officer Koen Coppenholle said “Whilst we welcome that the CBAM will seek to bridge the widening gap in carbon costs between EU and non-EU countries, the proposed phase-out of free allocation and the absence of export rebates would cause significant risks to investments.” He added “The decision not to include indirect emissions at this stage is also regrettable.”
Vicat confirms interest in Egyptian cement market
15 July 2021Egypt: Tamer Magdy, the country manager for Sinai Cement, says that parent company Vicat is keen to continuing to invest in the local market. He noted that noted that the France-based building materials producer is a long-term investor with confidence in the Egyptian economy and that it has no plans to leave, according to the Daily News Egypt newspaper.
He praised the government’s decision in early July 2021 to introduce reduced cement production quotas. The group is also keen for the authorities to develop the Sinai region more, where its main market is based. Vicat has operated in Egypt since 2003 when it acquired Sinai Cement. However, Magdy also called on the government to provide subsidies for exports.
Georgia: Georgian Cement Company (GCC) has warned of cement dumping by Iran and Turkey. The subsidiary of LafargeHolcim is lobbying the government for protective legislation, according to Prime News. GCC operates a 0.3Mt/yr cement grinding plant at Poti. The country consumes 2.5Mt/yr and 1.5Mt/yr of this comprises imports. HeidelbergCement and Eurocement also operate plants locally.
US: The Portland Cement Association (PCA) has supported a bipartisan deal between the White House and 21 senators towards a deal on a US$953bn infrastructure package. Sean O’Neill, the PCA’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, said that, “America's economic vitality depends on an integrated, national transportation network that moves goods and people safely and efficiently, while ensuring quality of life and economic prosperity for all citizens.” The PCA added that is has continually advocated for a long-term bipartisan infrastructure package and encouraged both parties in the House of Congress to work towards enacting ‘strong’ bipartisan infrastructure legislation.
Cembureau warns against free allowance reduction under new Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
25 June 2021Europe: The European cement producers’ association Cembureau says that a possible reduction of European Union (EU) Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) free allowances would endanger cement producers’ investment decisions and projects. It says that this in turn might produce competition distortions with third parties. The EU is planning to implement a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) but the association is concerned that its ‘Fit for 55’ 55% CO2 emissions reduction target for 2030 may have negative implications for the cement industry. However, the association said that it supported the concept of a CBAM.
Cembureau has called for a transition period until 2030 whereby free allocation under the EU ETS will continue fully alongside the introduction of the CBAM. It added that this is compatible with World Trade Organisation rules and avoids any form of ‘double protection’ provided the free allocation is taken into account when calculating the levy paid by any third-party importers. It further stated that the CBAM must cover both direct and indirect emissions. It has also continued to press the legislators to provide for a CO2 charge exemption for EU exporters to third countries, if the country in question is not covered by an equivalent carbon pricing mechanism. The association asked the EU to consider implementing secondary legislation before any CBAM enters force, and to ensure consistency of ‘Fit for 55’ legislative initiatives, applied across a sufficient breadth of sectors to preclude market distortions.
Bangladesh: Cement producers are warning of price rises due to a ‘significant’ rise in international freight rates. The Bangladesh Cement Manufacturers Association (BCMA) has expressed concern about the situation, according to the New Nation newspaper. Freight rates to transport clinker from Indonesia, Vietnam or the Middle-East have increased by up to 30% in the last few months. The BCMA has called on the government to cut import duties to keep consumer prices low.