The European Green Deal should protect the EU cement industry

Jan Deja, Office Director of the Cement Producers Association draws attention to the problemof transfering the cement industry outside Poland and the entire European Union. Then,  the Europe  will be forced to import this product from Turkey, northern Africa or from across its eastern border, because the demand will not decrease.Imports, in turn, will result in higher CO2 emissions because, in addition to emissions from production, emissions generated during transport are also added. The director informs that the EU cement industry is constantly working on the possibilities of maximum reduction of carbon dioxide emissions at every stage of cement production, however, it should be taken into account that about 63% of CO2 emissions in the cement industry are process emissions that cannot be eliminated.In addition, the European cement industry is focusing on CCSUS technologiesas well as reducing CO2 emissions in clinker production.According to Deja, both concrete and cement are not a threat to the climate, but they can play an important role in the process of solving many problems related to climate change and CO2 emissions.What's more, he notes that the cement industry plays a significant role in the energy transition, as wind farms or hydroelectric power plants will not be built without this raw material.In the director's opinion, products manufactured in the cement industry undoubtedly fit into the strategy of the European Green Deal, therefore the Union industry should be protected by the carbon border tax.