Iran Cement Industry Faces Severe Winter Gas Cuts and Fuel Shortages

TEHRAN, Nov 13 (OPA) — Iranian cement manufacturers are confronting mounting production halts as winter cold weather forces the government to prioritize residential heating over industrial energy needs. Natural gas supplies to cement plants have been entirely suspended, according to industry representatives.

Ali Akbarinia, secretary of the Cement Industry Employers Association, stated that the sudden cutoff leaves manufacturers without reliable energy alternatives. Mazut reserves, typically used as a backup fuel source during peak winter shortages, are running critically low.

Energy distribution bottlenecks and regulatory hurdles have prevented plants from restocking their liquid fuel inventories. Without immediate intervention from energy regulators, kilns across multiple provinces face imminent shutdowns.

The impending fuel crisis threatens to destabilize the domestic construction market and halt ongoing infrastructure projects. Industry stakeholders are urging the Ministry of Petroleum to expedite alternative fuel allocations before production drops cause nationwide shortages.