Majlis Research Center Surveys Challenges Facing Cement Sector

The Majlis Research Center has published a report on the structural challenges facing the country’s cement sector and the reasons behind its recent market instability. 
The translation of the report is as follows: 
Cement industry is one of the oldest in Iran and dates back to 100 years. Iran’s rich resourses of limestone, clay and silica — the raw materials of cement — have resulted in the development of cement production in the country. Cement mills were first purchased from the Soviet Union, Romania, Germany and Czechoslovakia. But later, after acquiring its technology, these mills were fully designed and implemented in the country. 
Average investment needed for the construction of a one-million-ton cement factory stands at $150 million. Cement plants were owned by the government until two decades ago; the pricing and distribution of the product were carried out by the government and cooperatives. They underwent major development as they were handed over to the private sector but were still under the shadow of state pricing policy until producers were allowed to offer their product on Iran Mercantile Exchange in the month ending June 21, 2021.