Cement, non-EU imports increased by 43% in the first nine months of 2024

In the first nine months of 2024, cement and clinker imports from non-EU countries increased by 43% compared to the same period in 2023, a year that had seen 2,284,000 tonnes of cement and 1,327,000 tonnes of clinker cross our borders: an all-time high in total imports, +22.6% on 2022. While between 2018 and 2023, the increase was 572%, reports Federbeton, the Confindustria association of cement and concrete manufacturers.

The flow of materials arriving from outside is favoured by lower production costs at origin, which in turn are determined by lower environmental investments. Stefano Gallini, president of Federbeton, expresses concern: "Italy shares its Mediterranean coastline with countries that, although they boast a large cement production industry, do not share the stringent environmental and safety standards of EU countries. The increase in imports from these countries therefore risks having repercussions not only on the cement and concrete sector, but on the entire Italian economic and social context: the safety and sustainability of bridges, viaducts, hospitals, houses and schools depends on the quality of the materials used to build them. Being certain of this quality, as well as of its origin, is what certifies a work as Made in Italy, which has always been synonymous with merit and preciousness'.

The loss of competitiveness of the national industry, which has 2,621 companies and more than 35,000 employees, would lead to tying the supply of materials that are fundamental to the country's growth and security to imports, making flows and cost levels much more unstable and putting the entire construction industry in difficulty, the association further points out.

"Federbeton, as well as the entire hard to abate industry, is in a moment of great turmoil, committed to a path towards decarbonisation with investments amounting to EUR 4.2 billion as well as extra operating costs of around EUR 1.4 billion per year. Asking Italian industry to make such an effort and continuing not to protect it by allowing uncontrolled imports means relocating emissions to foreign countries, to which are added those due to major transport, with dangerous repercussions for the future of our planet itself,' the president concluded.