Controversial quarries slow down cement production
The production of cement in Switzerland could decrease from 2024, as a federal report shows. The reason for this is the resistance to new quarries. Meanwhile, technologies to replace cement are under development.
Around 5 million tons of cement are used annually in construction and infrastructure projects in Switzerland. In 2019, 86 percent of demand was met by Swiss cement plants. The raw materials lime and marl, which are used in the cement industry, are available in Switzerland.
However, a report that the Federal Council has taken note of assumes that cement production in Switzerland is likely to decline in the coming years. The reason for this is resistance to the expansion or reopening of quarries. If the requested mining expansion projects for the raw materials lime and marl set out in the cantonal structure plans are not approved, Switzerland's supply of domestic cement will fall to 64 percent by 2024, according to the report.
The report therefore proposes that raw material deposits that are important for the production of cement should also be considered from a national supply point of view. Currently, the authority for the approval of dismantling projects lies with the municipalities and cantons. The aim is to create a national overview of the raw material deposits and to evaluate it from a “raw material geological point of view”. This would give authorities and raw material producers a basis when planning mining projects.
In its communication, the Federal Council also emphasizes that the Federal Office for the Environment ( FOEN ) is currently working with research and industry to find new solutions to replace the primary raw materials lime and marl with secondary raw materials. So far, however, this has only been possible to a very limited extent. However, technologies are also in the development phase that will replace cement in concrete or even lead to cement-free concrete.