The communiqué on the widespread adoption of green cements has come into force

A notice on promoting 'Green Cement', which the Turkish cement sector has focused on in recent years, was published in the Official Gazette on 16 March 2024. Through the Notice on Promoting the Use of Low-Carbon Green Cement in Public Procurement Contracts, restrictions were imposed on other cement types starting from 2025 with the aim of promoting the use of low-carbon green cement in public procurement contracts. The notice on promoting the widespread use of Green Cement, which the sector's umbrella organisation TÜRKÇİMENTO has worked on meticulously, has entered into force. TÜRKÇİMENTO CEO Volkan Bozay stated, "Thanks to this notice, over the next 10 years we will have the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 11 million tons in the sector, prevent 1.3 million tons of petcoke and coal imports, and provide environmental benefits equivalent to 500 million trees." The notice aims to promote the use of green cements (CEM II, CEM III, CEM IV, CEM V and similar) with lower clinker ratios and carbon emissions that stand out for their environmental benefits, technical superiority and cost advantages, replacing CEM I Portland cement. The notice specifies that between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2029, the clinker ratio in cement used in public works contracts and cement-containing goods procurement tenders shall be limited to a maximum of 0.80, and from 1 January 2030 onwards, the clinker ratio in cement used in public works contracts and cement-containing goods procurement tenders shall be limited to a maximum of 0.75.

TÜRKÇİMENTO CEO Volkan Bozay said the following:

"This notice published in the Official Gazette on promoting the widespread use of low-carbon green cements, which we have worked on meticulously in recent years, is of great importance for our sector. Considering the obligations that the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism will bring to our sector, we see opening the way for green cements through their economic advantage and reduced environmental impact in cement production as a major advantage for our country. To provide a concrete example on the matter, if we increase the use of low-clinker and thus low-carbon cements in our country and reduce the clinker-to-cement ratio initially to 0.80 and to 0.75 by 2030, over the next 10 years we will have the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 11 million tons, prevent 1.3 million tons of petcoke and coal imports, and provide environmental benefits equivalent to 500 million trees. In the coming period, in order for the sector to achieve the stated gains for decarbonization and low-carbon production, while not forgetting the necessity of regulations on the sector's access to alternative raw materials and alternative fuels, cooperation among all stakeholders in the public, academic, civil society organisations and the sector becomes even more important."