The factory managers of cement production facilities nationwide have issued a statement requesting the government to relax nitrogen oxide (NOx) regulations.
On the 13th, the production facility managers from nine domestic cement companies released a joint statement requesting the relaxation of the nitrogen oxide regulation standards, stating, "The government's proposal to strengthen regulations on nitrogen oxide emissions does not adequately consider the conditions at the site, and if applied as is, it could cause significant disruptions to cement production."
The Ministry of Environment announced a legislative notice for a partial amendment to the 'Special Act on Air Environment Improvement in Air Management Zones,' which states that cement companies in the Chungbuk region, included in the air management zone, must gradually reduce nitrogen oxide emission concentrations from 135 ppm (parts per million) in 2025 to 110 ppm by 2029.
The factory managers agreed that it is necessary to actively reduce nitrogen oxide generated during the cement production process and introduce high-efficiency nitrogen oxide reduction facilities, but argued that "sufficient technical review and adequate time for effect verification are necessary before introducing high-efficiency reduction facilities."
They pointed out that some small-scale overseas cement plants applying high-efficiency nitrogen oxide reduction facilities are experiencing difficulties due to technical instability. The factory managers emphasized, "If we push for installation based solely on operational examples from other industries, despite there being no cases applicable to the much larger and highly integrated domestic cement plants, it will be difficult to ensure the stability of the facilities." They further stated, "This could lead to production stoppages or re-installation of equipment, resulting in significant financial losses, potentially turning the tens of billions of won invested in installation and operation into sunk costs."
The cement industry estimated that if the government introduces high-efficiency nitrogen oxide reduction facilities, the installation cost per one calciner would amount to approximately 30 billion won, with operating costs exceeding 20 billion won annually.
The cement industry requested to relax the nitrogen oxide emission concentration to 120 ppm by 2029, which is 10 ppm lower than the proposed legislative notice level. The factory managers stated, "We earnestly request the relaxation of emission regulations so that a feasible emission regulation standard can be applied until the high-efficiency reduction facility technology capable of achieving nitrogen oxide reduction is fully secured, while further enhancing the currently applied selective non-catalytic reduction technology (SNCR)."
The factory managers emphasized, "We promise to work together to develop nitrogen oxide reduction technologies that have been verified in terms of applicability, stability, and economic feasibility on the production front, and to proactively pursue facility investments to actively work on reducing pollutant emissions while expanding collaboration with the government once related technologies are developed."
The factory managers participating in the joint statement on that day included ▲Bae Dong-hwan, manager of Samppyo Cement in Samcheok ▲Kim Jae-jung, manager of Ssangyong C&E in Donghae ▲Pyeon Woo-sik, manager of Ssangyong C&E in Yeongwol ▲Jeon Jae-cheol, manager of Hanil Cement in Dan Yong and Hanil Hyundai Cement in Samgok ▲Heo Gwon-hwe, manager of Hanil Hyundai Cement in Yeongwol ▲Choi Byeong-jun, manager of Asia Cement in Jecheon ▲Ha Tae-su, manager of Seongshin Cement in Dan Yong ▲Jo Deok-rye, manager of Halla Cement in Okgye.