Iran: gas outages halt production

Operations at cement plants in Iran have been disrupted by continuous gas outages every winter, according the the head of the Cement Employers Association (CEA), Mohammed Atabak. “The gas supply of cement plants is cut to meet household demand, causing a great deal of problems for cement producers,” said Mr Atabak.

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 US$29m. According to Mr Atabak, the government is yet to pay the sum.