Cement consumption falls in Spain as Oficemen laments rise in electricity costs

According to Oficemen, cement consumption in Spain fell from 1.16 million t in August 2012 to 886 000 t in August 2013, a decline of 23.4% y/y. Accumulated consumption for January – August 2013 dropped by 23.3% y/y to 7.4 million t. Production levels also continued to fall, with cement production in August alone down 7.7% y/y to 1.2 million t and levels for the first eight months of the year down 20% y/y to 8.85 million t.

Aniceto Zaragoza, Director General of Oficemen, highlighted the Spanish cement industry’s efforts to increase its export potential, which mean that the country is now in the top 10 cement exporting countries worldwide. However, he lamented the Spanish government’s plans to increase electricity costs, a move that could hamper the competitiveness and viability of the Spanish cement sector.

Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/23092013/spanish_cement_consumption_production_figures_august_2013_204/