Cementos Cosmos is ceasing cement exports from its Niebla plant. The company has attributed the move to rising petcoke prices that are eroding the competitiveness of the works in the international market.

However, the company has been undertaking steps to increase its use of alternative fuels to 20 per cent of the fuel mix. This would allow the plant to reduce its EUR7m fuel bill. Votorantim, who owns the cement company, is currently waiting for the necessary changes to be made to the General Urban Planning Plan (PGOU) that will allow the installation of a hydraulic dosing system that feeds the kiln and enables the works to burn non-hazardous waste.