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Posted on: 21 April 2026
Bade Kizilaslan, Communications Manager, Cement Europe
Cement is more than another industrial sector. It is the foundation of Europe's economy and society, enabling housing, transport networks, energy infrastructure, and the systems that support Europe's resilience and security.
If Europe is to build, it needs cement. And if it is to decarbonise, it must ensure that cement continues to be produced in Europe.
Over the past years, the sector has made tangible progress. Projects are being developed, technologies are advancing, and companies are actively preparing for the next generation of industrial investments. The direction is clear.
From ambition to implementation
The challenge now lies in scaling. For cement, a significant share of emissions is inherent to the production process. Even with improvements in energy efficiency, fuel switching, and circularity, a large proportion of emissions will need to captured, utilised or stored. This makes technologies such as carbon capture central to the sector's pathway.
These projects are complex and capital-intensive. They require long-term planning, integration with infrastructure, and confidence in future market conditions. Moving from project pipelines to final investment decisions is therefore not a question of willingness, but of whether the right conditions are in place.
Investment decisions need the right framework
Industrial investments are made over decades. They depend on predictability, visibility and a manageable level of risk.
Europe has taken important steps in this direction. The Clean Industrial Deal, discussions around the Industrial Decarbonisation Bank, the recent announcement of the ETS backed Investment Booster, and the evolution of the Innovation Fund all signal a growing recognition that industrial transformation must be supported at scale.
At the same time, key questions remain. The availability and timing of funding instruments, their ability to support large-scale deployment, and their alignment with industrial investment cycles will be critical. The same applies to how ETS revenues are used to support the transition of energy-intensive industries.
Without clarity on these elements, investment decisions become more complex and more difficult to accelerate.
De-risking to unlock deployment
Scaling up industrial decarbonisation requires a shift in the way projects are supported.
Beyond existing instruments, there is a need for mechanisms that reduce risk and provide long-term visibility. This includes tools that can stabilise revenues, improve bankability, and lower the cost of capital for large-scale projects.
Public support has a key role to play in this context. Not only can it help unlock private investment by addressing the specific risk profile of industrial decarbonisation projects. It must also provide targeted funding, including grants, to bridge the remaining investment gap and accelerate deployment. The involvement of institutions such as the European Investment Bank can further strengthen confidence and help crow in additional funding.
At the same time, simplifying access to funding and ensuring coherence between EU and national instruments will be essential to move projects forward efficiently.
A strategic choice for Europe
Cement will remain indispensable to Europe's future. There is no alternative to its role in building infrastructure, supporting the energy transition and sustaining economic activity across regions.
Ensuring that this material continues to be produced in Europe is therefore a strategic choice. It is about maintaining industrial capacity, securing value chains, and supporting Europe's autonomy in an increasingly uncertain global context.
Scaling what already exists
The transition of the cement sector is underway. The technologies are known. The projects are being prepared.
The next phase is about scale.
Creating the right conditions for investment decisions will determine whether these projects can reach final investment approval in Europe. And ultimately, whether Europe can deliver on its climate objectives while maintaining a competitive and resilient industrial base.
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