Spain: Heidelberg Materials, the owner of Cementos Rezola, has announced a restructuring plan that will affect 56 employees, roughly half of the workforce at the Añorga plant in Donostia. This decision comes as part of an employment regulation filing (ERE) linked to the cessation of clinker production in a move towards decarbonising cement manufacturing.
The company has proposed 15 early retirements, 30 internal relocations (to other plants within the group) and 11 external relocations. Unions have clarified that of the internal transfers, 15 positions are offered at the Arrigorriaga plant in Bizkaia. Management stated that those not interested in relocation options within the group will be offered external relocation solutions and can avail of measures the company will implement to assist in finding new employment in the labour market.
The company said “The ERE targets positions that are no longer required as a result of the cessation of clinker production, necessary to meet decarbonisation obligations.”
Despite the significant impact of the ERE, the company highlighted that this represents a proportion ‘substantially lower than the decrease in activity volume’ at the Añorga plant. It also confirmed plans to continue cement production in Añorga using clinker produced at the ‘more efficient plant in Arrigorriaga’.
This transition will support a €32m investment from 2024 to 2026 aimed at decarbonising both plants. Half of this investment will be allocated to the Añorga plant to transform it into a facility specialising in ‘sustainable’ cement.
