Interview with Aniceto Zaragoza, general director of Oficemen

Yes, the sector has lived moments of maximum consumption, historical records, until, in mid-2007, it begins to decline. Already, we then started to register the crisis. From December of that year to December of 2009, we have lost 50% of consumption in our country: have moved from 56 million tonnes to 28, a figure similar to what occurred in 1997 or 1998.

I would talk more of crisis housing. In all consuming sectors of cement (housing, non-residential building, public works and maintenance), is the process of residential building which has shown a behaviour manifestly worse, which has been without a doubt more affecting our sector.

It puts companies in a situation of great concern, of a titanic effort by optimizing resources in all fields and try to adapt to this situation, which, on the other hand, does not seem that it will be very brief.

It could be. In fact, companies are trying to balance the situation through the export, but in 2009 only have been sold abroad about 3 million tons. It should be recalled that in the mid 1980s, Spain was the largest exporter in the world. From that position we will be in the middle of the 2000s the second importer in the world, second only to United States.

The situation is complicated. In addition to the European environmental restrictions, a very widespread decay in our traditional points of sale, including Europe, United States, and to less extent, Africa has been in 2009.

Taking into account the decline we talked about 50% in the production in the past two years, companies are making a great effort to keep the plant open and not dismiss any worker. There is not yet official data of 2009, but it could get that the sector employs about 7,000 people. We have up to 36 integrated plants in our country and 18 did not stop production centers. With these data, we can say that Spain is one of the countries of the EU with the highest number of producers of cement and more products on the market. We must remember that we have up to 70 types of cement. Our offer is rich and varied. Spanish cement has a good name, is recognized abroad for its quality.

Man, because we are not happy reduction announced by the Ministry of development and investment that is probably going to extend to other public administrations. It is difficult to forecast at this stage, but we expect a reduction in the consumption of the 7 or 8 per cent.

33% Of the costs in cement production are linked to the energy bill. More than half of that percentage corresponds to electricity, while the other is bound to fuel requiring ovens. Although we are one of the most efficient countries from the energy point of view, we still have these two great challenges: improving the way we buy and manage energy and find more cheap and efficient alternative fuels.

Both the sector and the trade unions decided to create two foundations, one for Andalusia and one for the rest of Spain, which are devoted to the promotion of environmental measures, security, health, and that concentrates much of its activity in the energy recovery. To this end, in addition to scientific research, dissemination papers and conferences throughout the country, foundations dedicated his effort to work of citizen awareness.

Spain is a country with very restless and initiative in research. We are world leaders, but we are in a reasonably good position.

We do not know exactly. We try to know what had been its impact, so we did some models, but the final data did not have confirmed to us anything yet. Until that we do not have studies of consumption which we will carry out in the middle of this year, we can not assess accurately the impact of the plan. We believed that the impact would be greater than it really has been, but, as said, unless we do not have a completed analysis do not dare to make statements.

The cement industry is one of the largest from the point of view of recycling. In addition, many of the quarries are centres of biodiversity. Without a doubt, cement is a key piece in the fight for sustainability.

I believe that it has improved a lot and there are still things to improve. A sector that thinks that he has not yet road ahead surely is very close to its end. What we have not achieved is that society knows many things of which we have become.

As to actions such as centres of biodiversity with wonderful experiences of replantation of recovery of the original flora, which are under way in cement holdings and that they are a fantastic contribution to the medium environment. In recent years, our industry has invested more than 1 billion euros in environmental measures. This is undoubtedly a sign of commitment. There is a genuine environmental awareness in the sector.

Unless the construction is not returned to normal, the sector must focus on improving the efficiency. Cutting costs to survive is a maxim, that in this sector affects the electrical energy issues, fuel, to the own management of plant, the way of conceiving the work... If we want to save the sector, we must adapt ourselves to the situation and be more efficient.