In 2023, cement production decreased by 11.9 percent, reaching 16.6 million tonnes, during which time imports from Ukraine increased by 350 percent. The Cement Manufacturers Association expresses its deep concern, stressing that this poses a real threat to plants located in east Poland.
According to Zbigniew Pilch, marketing manager of the Cement Manufacturers Association, the past year has been hard for the construction sector. "The economy has slowed down and economical growth has been estimated to be just over 0.2 percent," he noted in his interview with PAP. Pilch reported that according to the data of the Central Statistical Office, cement production in 2023 decreased by 11.9 percent compared to the erstwhile year, reaching a level of 16.61 million tonnes. In addition, he expressed surprise at this decline, especially since in February production amounted to 1,190 million tonnes, an increase of almost 33 percent compared to the erstwhile year. He besides pointed out that analysts forecast that cement production in Poland will most likely stay at the level of 2023, possibly with a slight increase of 3 or 4 percent.
Lega artis AppAt the same time, Pilch pointed out that imports of cement from Ukraine in 2023 exceeded 330 1000 tonnes, which means an increase of over 350 percent.
"The import scale from Ukraine is increasing virtually from period to month. In 2023, it accounted for 38% and in January 2024 almost 50% of all imports of this material into Poland. These are the sizes that disturb us very much," he said.
He recalled that in Ukraine, cement production is not subject to the costs of climate policy. Additionally, the cement marketplace is usually local, which means serious challenges for cement producers from east Poland.
Therefore, a cement manufacture typical welcomed the launch of the pilotage of the Union CBAM Regulation, which requires importers to disclose the carbon footprint of the imported product. At the same time, he noted that fees are not yet charged and the first reports are delayed. "In the face of this, Polish cement plants, which invest in reducing emissions, face unequal competition," he stressed.
According to Pilch, Polish producers request temporary support from both the government and the European Union until full implementation of CBAM in 2026. This would enable them to compete with non-EU producers on an equal footing. In addition, it advocates the fast introduction in Poland of an administrative mechanics to stabilise electricity prices of EUR 60 per MWh. This would benefit industrial plants with a advanced energy demand, which would undertake to keep production activities in their current locations at least until the end of 2029.
The PAP Information Agency recalls that the Cement Producers Association brings together the largest companies in the manufacture and is simply a associate of the European Cement Association – Cembureau. There are presently 12 cement factories in Poland, located mainly in the south of the country due to access to natural materials essential for the production of clinker and then cement. The combined production capacity of Polish plants is 22 million tonnes per year. The cement sector employs 3.5 1000 people straight and 22 1000 people in the cooperating companies. Moreover, the manufacture is paying PLN 1.9 billion annually to the state budget and local governments.
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