Ireland – carbon tax could threaten existence cement production

Echoing other industry voices across Europe, the Irish cement industry has added its objections to the controversial issue of carbon taxes. Carbon taxes in Ireland could “threaten the very existence and development of cement manufacturing in Ireland”, according to Irish Cement sources. The range of carbon taxes proposed – E7.50-25/tonne – would add E6-20m to the Irish cement maker’s fuel bills, making cement production uncompetitive. However, the exact impact on the company will only come to light when emissions trading allocations have been announced, due at the end of March.