UK cement industry calls for policy boost to secure future, net-zero goals

Leading UK cement producers have called on the government to strengthen policy measures to secure the long-term future of the domestic cement sector and support the country's infrastructure and net-zero ambitions, the Mineral Products Association said Nov. 5.

The statement followed an event hosted by the MPA in the UK Parliament Nov. 4, which brought together members of Parliament, ministers and industry representatives to highlight the strategic importance of the UK cement industry.

The association said the government's plans to deliver 1.5 million new homes and invest in schools, hospitals, transport links, and green energy infrastructure "cannot be realized without the contribution of the cement industry."

The MPA said the sector continued to face serious challenges from uneven carbon regulation, high energy costs and rising import volumes, adding that reliance on imported cement risks offshoring investment and emissions.

It said aligning public procurement policy to support domestically produced cement could deliver wider economic benefits, ensuring that government investment in housing and infrastructure supports UK manufacturing.

According to the association, securing the industry's future will require a fair and robust Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, competitive energy pricing and targeted support for carbon capture, usage and storage.

"With the right policy framework, including a fair and robust CBAM, competitive energy pricing and targeted support for CCUS, we can secure the UK cement sector for the long term," said Diana Casey, executive director for cement and lime at the MPA.

The association also underlined the importance of accelerating CCUS deployment, noting that the UK cement sector has already reduced carbon emissions by 63% since 1990.

The MPA has previously urged the government to take the cement and minerals sector into account in its Autumn Budget, after UK cement output fell to its lowest level since the 1950s in 2024 and concrete sales hit a 62-year low in 2025.

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, last assessed CEMDEX Turkey at $54/metric ton FOB on Oct. 30.