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.



Europe Gas: Prices ease ahead of Trump-Putin phone call

Representation photo: Smoke is released from one of the chimneys of the Dora (Daura) Thermal Power Station in the Dora district in southern Baghdad on January 9, 2025. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
Representation photo: Smoke is released from one of the chimneys of the Dora (Daura) Thermal Power Station in the Dora district in southern Baghdad on January 9, 2025. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
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20

Europe Gas: Prices ease ahead of Trump-Putin phone call

Representation photo: Smoke is released from one of the chimneys of the Dora (Daura) Thermal Power Station in the Dora district in southern Baghdad on January 9, 2025. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
Representation photo: Smoke is released from one of the chimneys of the Dora (Daura) Thermal Power Station in the Dora district in southern Baghdad on January 9, 2025. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)

Dutch and British wholesale gas prices eased on Tuesday morning as the market awaited any news on a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine but low storage levels remain a concern and weather forecasts are mixed.
The Dutch front-month contract inched down by 0.55 euro to 40.65 euros per megawatt hour (MWh) by 0917 GMT, LSEG data showed.
The Dutch May contract was down 0.68 euro at 40.57 euros/MWh, while the day-ahead contract eased by 0.20 euro to 40.80 euros/MWh, Reuters said.
In Britain, the day-ahead contract was down 1.01 pence at 101.75 pence per therm.
All eyes will be on the outcome of the call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled for 1300-1500 GMT and whether it may lead to a ceasefire in Ukraine, analysts at Energi Danmark said.
"Until then, the market is caught in uncertainty," they added.
Traders holding speculative long positions in the gas market have become nervous that a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine could see the resumption of some Russian pipeline gas into Europe, analysts at ING said in a note.
Meanwhile, fresh tensions in the Middle East, with new Israeli air strikes on Gaza, could provide some bullish market sentiment, said LSEG analyst Yuriy Onyshkiv.
"Later this week, warmer temperatures are expected but the long-term view still forecasts below seasonal normal levels which may continue to pressure gas storages," consultancy Auxilione said in its daily market report.
EU gas storage sites were last seen 34.84% full, compared with nearly 60% seen at the same time last year, data from Gas Infrastructure Europe showed.
In the European carbon market, the benchmark contract edged down by 0.12 euro to 69.99 euros a metric ton.