In 2006, the Australian cement industry contributed more than $1 billion to GDP, employed 1,900 people, manufactured around 10.1 million tonnes of cementitious material and supplied about 85 per cent of Australia's cement requirements. Domestic manufacturing growth has averaged about 4.6 per cent per annum over the last five years. Imports of both cement and clinker have increased to around 260 000 tonnes.
Domestic demand for cement correlates with the level of activity in Australia's building and construction sector and has been stimulated by growth in major infrastructure projects. The industry faces strong international competition from China and South-East Asia.
Cement production is energy intensive and emits significant levels of carbon dioxide (CO2). Improvements in process efficiency, the use of alternative fuels and cement blending have contributed to a substantial reduction in CO2 and waste emissions. Future emission reductions are likely to result from improvements in energy efficiency.
Australian Government Involvement with the cement industry
The Australian Government Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism is working with the Australian cement industry to address the opportunities and challenges in developing a sustainable cement industry. This is being pursued through the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate and the Cement Industry Action Agenda.
Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, Cement Task Force (APP)
APP Partner countries account for 61 per cent of the world's cement production which provides a significant opportunity to cooperate to reduce CO2 emissions conserve energy. The APP Cement Task Force seeks to facilitate the uptake of best available technology and environmental management systems in APP countries. The Task Force will also assist by providing expert advice in relation to the opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas and other emissions levels through the introduction of these existing and emerging technologies.
For further information on the APP Cement Task Force, please refer to APP Cement Task
Force
webpage.
Cement Industry Action Agenda
The Cement Industry Action Agenda Report, Punching Above Its Weight
[PDF, 1.7MB], was launched in June 2006. The Report builds on existing industry initiatives to deliver a comprehensive strategy to enhance the long term sustainability of the industry. The Department provides secretariat support to the Implementation Group established to oversight the Report's recommendations.
The Implementation Group's First Year Implementation Report [PDF, 1.7MB] was released in October 2007. The Implementation Group has now completed delivering the Report's recommendations and is currently preparing its Final Report.
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