The Cement Industry Federation welcomes the Albanese Government's announcement of the $321 million second round of the Powering the Regions Fund (PRF).
Australia's cement manufacturing sector is critical to our economic prosperity and growth and is recognised as emissions intensive, trade-exposed and hard-to-abate.
The Government's target of net zero emissions by 2050 is shared by industry, but it will require targeted and sustained policy and investment support to remain internationally competitive and achieve that goal.
The second round of PRF specifically targets trade exposed facilities subject to the safeguard mechanism and at risk of carbon leakage from less carbon regulated imports, including the cement manufacturing industry.
Available grants will be matched by industry to enable investment in new equipment and technology to reduce abatable Scope 1 process emissions or research and development for new or innovative processes.
The first round of the PRF was accessed by CIF members for improvements to kilns and processes to enable further use of alternative fuels and equipment to reduce emissions intensity and produce lower carbon cement.
Decarbonising the cement sector is a complex, multi-decade endeavour that will require sustained investment, innovation and collaboration across government, industry and research institutions.
The second round of the PRF will further assist Australia's cement manufacturers with this challenging task.
Statement can be attributed to Denise Spinks CEO Cement Industry Federation
About us:
The Cement Industry Federation (CIF) is the national body representing all Australian integrated cement manufacturers – Adbri, Boral Cement and Cement Australia. Australian cement manufacturing supports over 1,300 employees directly in high paid positions as well as hundreds of apprentices, contractors and transport operators. The cement, lime and concrete value chain supports over 15,000 jobs in Australia.
