WCA president addresses carbon trading, overcapacity and tech developments

The World Cement Association (WCA) has announced the outcomes of its 7th General Assembly, held on 27 February at the National Liberal Club in London.

Representatives from member organisations participated in the General Assembly, both in person and virtually, engaging in discussions on current activities, upcoming plans, and the election of new board members. The event concluded with a networking lunch, providing an opportunity for members to connect and exchange ideas.

The agenda featured a comprehensive outlook on the global cement industry presented by Arnaud Pinatel, partner at On Field Investment Research.

WCA President Wei Kushan, who is also the president and executive director of China National Building Materials Co. Ltd (CNBM), delivered an address discussing pressing industry issues such as carbon trading, overcapacity, and key technological developments. Moreover, he shared insights into the resilience of firms globally, highlighting their ability to navigate adversity and capitalise on opportunities in challenging times.

‘Through our annual conferences and targeted meetings, WCA seeks to foster a dynamic platform that brings together experts, scholars, and leaders across diverse areas of our industry,’ said Mr Rushan. ‘These gatherings offer the opportunity to exchange valuable knowledge, experiences, and different perspectives. 

‘We are proud to continue supporting our members in pivotal areas such as energy conservation, carbon footprint reduction, quality enhancement, efficiency optimisation, and sustainable development, as we drive efforts to develop innovative and sustainable practices to achieve full decarbonisation in line with global targets.’

WCA members also elected two new directors: Mohamed Naciri, CIMAT/CIMAF’s general managing director; and Matias Cardarelli, PPC’s chief executive officer. Mr Cardarelli replaced Roland van Wijnen, who had been PPC’s representative on the board of directors since 2020.

In his report, WCA chief executive officer Ian Riley reflected on the achievements of 2023 and outlined plans for the year ahead, notably highlighting the eagerly anticipated WCA Annual Conference scheduled for 18–19 May 2024 in Nanjing, China. Mr Riley also encouraged members to participate in the 2024 WCA Awards, where outstanding contributions to the industry will be recognized.

‘I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to Mohamed and Matias as they join the board of directors this year,’ he said. ‘With their decades of experience within the cement sector, we look forward to their valuable contributions and the future guidance they will offer to the organisation.

‘The industry is adapting to the challenges that have emerged in the past few years, and many are seeing opportunities arising from these global shifts. It’s great to see our members embracing the increased resources and platforms we are offering, to help ensure that everyone is equipping themselves as best as they can and remaining competitive during these turbulent times.’