Spain's cement imports surge as consumption rises, exports fall: trade group

Spain's cement and clinker imports during the first 11 months of the year rose 36.8% totaling 1.3 million metric tons, driven mainly by clinker imports, which saw an increase of 61.5% year over year, according to data released Dec. 22 by Oficemen, the Spanish cement association.

Exports during the period fell 10% year over year, with a total of 4.17 million mt exported in these 11 months, down 0.45 million mt compared with the previous year.

Cement consumption rose nearly 11% year over year to nearly 15.2 million mt during January to November, up 1.5 million mt from the same period last year, the data showed.

The association expects total consumption in 2025 to exceed 16 million mt.

"It is not risky to venture, therefore, that in 2025 it will exceed 16 mt," Oficemen Director Aniceto Zaragoza said. "This data reflects the activation of demand that is also shown by indicators such as public works tenders or building permits, but it should be consolidated over time if we want to provide an effective response to the urgent infrastructure and housing needs that our country has."

The association also expressed concern about the upcoming implementation phase of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which is aimed at reducing emissions.

When CBAM comes into force Jan. 1, "only those who hold the status of authorised declarant will be able to import products covered by the CBAM into the EU," Zaragoza said.

"The European Commission is finalising the development of some important aspects of the regulation to ensure that the mechanism is really effective in maintaining the competitiveness of European industry and its manufacturing methods in line with environmental objectives," Zaragoza added.