Cement Production Disrupted by Gas Outages

The operations of cement factories have been disrupted by continuous gas outages every winter, according to the head of Cement Employers Association. “This has been going on for the past two years,” Mohammad Atabak was also quoted as saying by Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mining and Agriculture’s news portal. “The gas supply of cement plants is cut to meet household demand, causing a great deal of problems for cement producers,” he added. Two years ago, cement industry officials cut a deal with the government to suspend production in the first two months of winter (December-January) to boost gas supplies. In return it was agreed that the producers be paid about $29 million. According to Atabak, the government is yet to pay the sum.