Taiwan Cement urges curbs on imports to protect domestic industry

Taiwan Cement called for a reduction in dependence on imported cement, emphasizing that uncontrolled inflows could threaten domestic producers and endanger thousands of jobs, according to a company statement Dec. 17.

Company Chairman Nelson Chang said Taiwan risks becoming a dumping ground for surplus foreign capacity. He said export prices to Taiwan are often below domestic levels, exerting significant pressure on Taiwanese producers.

Chang cited customs data from the Ministry of Finance showing that Japanese cement was exported to Taiwan at roughly NT$1,400/mt ($44.4/mt), compared with NT$3,800/mt ($120.5/mt) in the domestic market. Indonesian clinker exports were at nearly half the local price, according to the customs data.

Chang also urged stricter environmental verification for imported cement, highlighting that domestic producers adhere to gross emissions standards, whereas many foreign suppliers rely on net emissions accounting.

Taiwan Cement's statement follows Universal Cement Corp.'s announcement Dec. 12 that it will begin sourcing imports from Indonesia, Japan and other Southeast Asian producers to secure stable supply and cost advantages.

"Taiwan Cement's concerns are logical; imported cement and clinker are arriving at very competitive prices," a Southeast Asia-based trader said.

Taiwan imposed antidumping duties of up to 23.2% on Vietnamese Portland cement and clinker, effective July 28, for a period of five years. The decision, published in Taiwan's official gazette on July 22, followed a year-long investigation that found Vietnamese exporters were selling at below-market prices and harming domestic producers.

"Local Taiwanese producers are under pressure; Indonesian and Vietnamese suppliers are able to price their exports very competitively, making their prices hard to reject even after taxes and duties," another Asia-based supplier said.

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed cement (ASTM type 1) FOB Vietnam at $37/mt on Dec. 18, up from $36.5/mt the previous week. Platts assessed cement clinker FOB Vietnam at $32/mt on Dec. 18, up from $31.5/mt a week earlier.