Cement Output Estimated at 57m Tons

Plans are underway for cement production to reach 57 million tons by the end of the current Iranian year (March 20, 2017), 20% of which will be earmarked for exports, says a member of Cement Employers Association, Morteza Dadash. According to CEA data, Iran manufactured 58.6 million tons of cement last year, down 12% from the year before, IRNA reported. Last year’s exports fell from 20% compared to the previous year to 15 million tons. The plummeting production led to a fall in Iran’s global ranking as the country stood three steps lower in 2015 from the previous year’s fourth position among top cement producers. Based on the goals set in the 20-Year Vision Plan (2005-25), cement output capacity is set to reach 120 million tons per year, up 40 million tons from the current capacity.