Iran produced 50.25 million tons of cement in the first eight months of the current Iranian year (started March 21).
The figure indicates a growth of 2.2 percent compared with the corresponding figure of last year, which was 49.16 million, IRNA reported.
In this period, clinker output amounted to 49.26 million tons, up by 3.5 percent year-on-year. Last year s clinker output amounted to 47.59 million tons.
Abdolreza Sheikhan, the head of Guild Association of Cement Industries Employers, said cement and clinker production reached 5.65 million tons and 5.96 million tons respectively during Oct. 23-Nov. 21.
A total of 39.83 million tons of cement were supplied to the domestic market during March 21-Nov. 21.
Ebadollah Akbari, the head of Industries, Mines & Trade Organization of West Azerbaijan, said the province has exported 1 million tons of cement worth more than $72 billion since the beginning of the current year.
He added that the figure shows growth of 43 and 24 percent in terms of quantity and value respectively. Last year, the province exported 699,300 tons of cement worth $58.06 million.
"Iraq, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Qatar were among Iran s main export destinations," he added.
Akbari noted that the province s cement export is expected to reach 1.3 million tons by the yearend.
West Azarbaijan has four cement production units in Orumieh, Boukan and Khoy, producing 4.3 million tons of Pozzolan and Portland cement annually. "The province is a major cement producer in the country," he said.
The province accounts for 2.7 percent of the country s 60-million-ton cement production capacity.
This year, cement export is expected to reach 18.5 million tons.
Iran ranks first in cement production and exports in the Middle East. Because of its high quality, Iranian cement has a good market among neighboring countries.
Availability of raw materials, skilled workforce, indigenization of technologies, high quality and low price are among the advantages of Iranian cement industry.
Currently, Iran produces 27 types of cement. Those involved in this industry believe that to expand export markets, Iran should facilitate trade, establish a preferential tariff system and help activate export organizations.
