Egypt's Cement Sector Requested to Reduce Carbon Footprint

A general view of the cement plant in Beni Suef, Egypt (File Photo: Reuters)
A general view of the cement plant in Beni Suef, Egypt (File Photo: Reuters)
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Egypt's Cement Sector Requested to Reduce Carbon Footprint

A general view of the cement plant in Beni Suef, Egypt (File Photo: Reuters)
A general view of the cement plant in Beni Suef, Egypt (File Photo: Reuters)

Egypt's cement sector has been requested to reduce its carbon footprint in light of the state's directions to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change, according to recent studies.

The CEO of Dcode for Economic and Financial Consultations (Dcode EFC), Mohamed Abdel Aziz, explained that the private cement sector must find solutions to reduce the industry's carbon footprint.

He called for increasing scientific research and development to use recycled materials and alternative sources of energy.

Speaking at the "Cement Industry and Sustainable Development" conference, organized by Lafarge Egypt, a member of the global "Holcim" group, Abdel Aziz pointed to the importance of the state's role in encouraging and facilitating the use of environmentally friendly products in construction.

CEO of Lafarge Egypt Solomon Baumgartner Aviles said that the company focuses on sustainable development from the circular economy, one of the pillars of Egypt's Vision 2030.

Lafarge is fully committed to contributing to the achievement of the goals of Holcim, which include reducing the carbon dioxide intensity to more than 20 percent until 2030.

He also indicated that Lafarge is collaborating with Holcim after it partnered with SBTi for goals beyond 2030 by setting the first climate targets for a future of 1.5°C in the cement sector by 2050.

Aviles added that innovation is one of the axes of Egypt's Vision 2030, which shares the same vision with Lafarge Egypt through the production of environmentally friendly cement products.

He pointed to the company's plan to increase exports, as Lafarge seeks to open new markets for export, expressing the importance of raising taxes on production inputs such as limestone granules, linking energy prices to international standards, and securing their availability.

Aviles also called reducing transportation time, refunding payments in the export support program, rehabilitating port infrastructure, and creating an efficient port structure that can accommodate heavy trade.



Türkiye Receives Waiver for Gas Payments to Russia from Gazprombank Sanctions

A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
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Türkiye Receives Waiver for Gas Payments to Russia from Gazprombank Sanctions

A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo

Türkiye has received an exemption for gas payments to Russia after the United States imposed sanctions on Gazprombank, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar revealed in response to a question from Reuters.

The US imposed new sanctions on Russia's Gazprombank in November, creating an obstacle for buyers of Russian gas, which had been using the bank to make payments. They have since been seeking clarification and exploring other ways to pay.

Türkiye imports almost all its gas requirement and Russia is the top supplier, providing more than 50% of the country's pipeline imports.

Ankara's pipeline gas imports from Russia stood at 21.1 bcm last year.

Türkiye had requested an exemption in discussions with US officials so that it can continue paying for Russian natural gas imports via Gazprombank.

The US on Thursday also granted a waiver to Hungary, which mainly relies on Russian oil and gas.