Challenges, opportunities abound for industry

In an address at the World Cement Association (WCA) yearly conference, WCA director Emir Adiguzel outlined the significant challenges and transformative opportunities facing the global cement industry.

The conference – held in Nanjing, China on May 20, 2024 – brought together industry leaders, innovators and stakeholders to discuss the future of cement production and sustainability.

Adiguzel emphasised the cement industry’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation.

He highlighted the industry’s proactive approach to addressing climate change, including significant investments in carbon capture technologies. He added that these high-cost projects signal the industry’s dedication to mitigating environmental impact and securing a greener future.

“For the first time in history, cement production has the potential to become a net-zero industry,” Adiguzel noted.

He also provided an analysis of global demand, projecting a general stagnation from 2024 to 2030, with growth only anticipated in the Middle East, India and Africa.

According to On Field Investment Research, sub-Saharan Africa is expected to see 77% growth by 2030, with India growing by 42%, explained Adiguzel.

Further, despite weak global demand, the industry is poised to sustain its gross margin expansion in Europe, driven by higher cement prices and reduced fuel costs.

Additionally, he pointed out that, in the rest of the world, particularly emerging markets, prices and margins have dropped, and sustainable practices and alternatives remain underutilised.

Adiguzel addressed the advancements and challenges in carbon capture technology, noting that, while promising, they require further development and substantial investment.

Moreover, the adoption of carbon capture technology faces challenges in terms of scalability and cost-effectiveness. Major western multinational producers are well funded and investing heavily in these technologies, but the financial burden is significant, especially in light of the anticipated industry stagnation.

He warned that such a burden on independent producers may lead to closures, affecting cement supply and prices in the near future.

Adiguzel also highlighted the importance of strategic initiatives and collaboration.

He stated: “Building networks and sharing knowledge are key activities of the WCA. Our [yearly] conferences, awards and benchmarking activities are designed to support our members in improving sustainability and operational performance.”

Adiguzel also discussed the need for the Chinese cement industry to adopt new strategies to address surplus capacity and market saturation. He suggested that closing inefficient kilns, increasing the use of alternative raw materials and investing abroad could be crucial steps.

Adiguzel concluded that collaboration in the WCA is essential for its long-term objectives, including ensuring the industry’s resilience and adaptation to evolving market dynamics, which is crucial for the survival of independent cement producers.