The Iranian Cement Association said the only solution to the problems the cement industry currently faces is to let the private sector engage in cement production process, reported IRNA. Mohammad Atabak, the chairman of the association’s board of directors made the remarks during a ceremony held to introduce the new CEO of Tehran Cement Company. Atabak urged the cement producers to target the international markets rather than setting the domestic market as their main target. The industry has faced challenges during the past five years following the liberalization of prices in 2008. The cement industry was also hit hard in 2010 when the first phase of the subsidy reform plan came into effect across the country. The plan partially removed energy subsidies for the cement factories, which are among the most inefficient industrial plants in terms of energy consumption.
