Displaying items by tag: Mineral Products Association

UK: The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has outlined key points that the UK government should consider ahead of its anticipated triggering of Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon later in March 2017 as it moves towards leaving the European Union (EU). Following consultation with its members the association wants the government to focus on six areas including: investment; growth; access to markets; access to labour and skills; maintaining equivalent regulations and standards; and rebalancing regulation after Brexit.

"More needs to be done, both politically and economically, to give the clarity needed by businesses to sustain investment confidence beyond the triggering of Article 50. The economy has remained resilient in the short term, but the issue always was, and remains, what will happen post-Brexit in the medium and longer term? Given that the public political conversation in the UK has not yet involved the other 27 EU member states, we are currently no wiser as to the likely outcome of negotiations. We must therefore contemplate the possibility that no deal may mean a clean break in 2019 and trading arrangements under WTO rules,” said MPA chief executive officer Nigel Jackson.

The MPA has urged the government to build confidence in the short and long term performance of the UK economy and maintain stability. It also wants it to seek the fullest access to European and non-European markets using comprehensive free trade agreements in preference to adopting World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.

The association also highlighted that, on average, 3% of the Mineral Products industry's workforce comes from the EU, increasing to 9% for activities directly related to freight transport by road. It noted that at present there is no guarantee that EU citizens now resident in the UK will have a continuing right to reside in and work in the UK following Brexit.

Other issues include a desire for the government to confirm its commitment to existing regulatory initiatives and to hold and improve on the international competitiveness of energy intensive industries such as cement and lime. However, it also asked the government to mind the impacts of regulation of taxation on these industries in order to protect investment. Lastly, the MPA wants the government to retain influence in European product technical standards development via the British Standards Institution (BSI), the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) and design codes.

UK: The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has welcomed the government’s publication of new procurement guidance including construction materials like cement. The government plans to use local construction materials in infrastructure projects across 18 separate projects by 2020, including rail and roads, and construction such as building and housing refurbishment.

This announcement also follows the new National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline, which set out nearly Euro600bn worth of planned private and public investment, and changes to procurement guidance announced by the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy to make it easier for UK producers to plan and bid for upcoming government contracts.

The MPA is working with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Crown Commercial Service to develop government guidance for local procurement for cement and concrete. This will extend beyond the current guidance for designers which advises the use of BES6001 to specify responsibly and ethically sourced concrete and masonry.

“Cement and concrete are essential for UK infrastructure development and housing, and contribute significantly to the UK economy. We welcome this announcement from Greg Clark MP, which re-confirms the government’s commitment to infrastructure capital expenditure, and supports the future of a local cement industry. The cement and concrete industries employ 18,179 people across the regions, including in rural areas, and are key enablers for the Industrial Strategy,” said Nigel Jackson, chief executive of the MPA.

UK: Emissions from the UK cement industry have risen slightly according to the Sustainable Development Report 2012 from the Minerals Products Association (MPA) – Cement.

The MPA reported small rises in nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and dust emissions compared to 2011 due to variety of factors. However, the MPA stressed that all emissions remained below the targets for the sector and limits required by the Environmental Permitting Regulations. Carbon dioxide emissions from cement kilns also rose compared to 2011 due to an increased production of CEM I type cement. Improvements were reported in 2012 year-on-year for lost time injuries and use of alternative fuels.

"Our sustainable development challenges are many and varied, but our strength lies in recognising what these are, setting them out clearly for external stakeholders to see, implementing the measures necessary to meet these challenges and reporting on progress. This first full sustainable development report for the UK cement industry is an important step along a journey that is leading us to a more sustainable future," Dr Pal Chana, Executive Director of the MPA, said. The report has changed from previous editions by commenting on the broader sustainable development aspirations of the UK cement industry in addition to reporting on the manufacturing process.

UK: Bill Brett has been appointed as the chairman of the Mineral Products Association (MPA) for the next two years to 2015. He will succeed Dyfrig James. Brett, the chairman of Brett Group, has a wide range of commercial interests and industry involvement.

"Members have appreciated Dyfrig's inclusive approach and the efforts he has made to engage with all parts of the MPA, particularly in the regions and of course his beloved Wales," said Nigel Jackson, chief executive of the MPA. "The MPA would like to thank Dyfrig for all his efforts and wish Bill Brett every success for his two year tenure."

UK: The Mineral Products Association (MPA), which covers the cement and lime industries in the UK, has released its 3rd Sustainable Development Report, which shows the continued progress of its members in the realms of health and safety, carbon emissions, biodiversity, nature conservation and resource efficiency. It highlighted that, while growth prospects are uncertain and markets remain 20% to 40% below pre-recession levels, its members continue to be committed to stringent sustainability targets.

Highlights from the report include the planting of 1 million trees in the UK by MPA member since 2005 and a drop in direct carbon dioxide emission from cement production in 2010. The ratio of land prepared for quarrying to that which was restored to nature was 0.8:1. The report also showed the extent of the slump in UK cement demand. The UK consumed just 158kg/capita of cement in 2010 against the European average of 404kg/capita.

Nigel Jackson, Chief Executive MPA, said, "Our third Sustainable Development Report shows where we have gained considerable ground. For example, there is a growing awareness of the contribution that good building design can make to sustainability and how the use of concrete can significantly reduce the whole life energy performance of buildings through thermal mass benefits."

However, the MPA used the report to reiterate its stance on certain government policies. It believes that the government should not impose excessive costs on energy intensive industries, such cement and lime, which could drive the supply of essential and indigenously available resources overseas. "The MPA believes that genuine sustainable development demands that UK industries and supply chains are both resource efficient, where our industry is best in class in Europe, and also financially sustainable."

UK: The head of the UK Mineral Products Association (MPA), Nigel Jackson, has backed a 3 October 2011 announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, in which he said that environmental laws and regulations were 'piling costs' on to the energy bills of homeowners and business and that "we're not going to save the planet by putting our country out of business."

Commenting ahead of Osborne's Autumn Statement, which is expected to be on 29 November 2011, Jackson said, "I could not agree more with the sentiment and look forward to seeing how that welcome statement translates into positive action to reduce the complexity and plethora of energy related legislation that exists, as well as the actual amount of additional cost that this industry now faces."

Jackson additionally stressed the importance of keeping strategically important energy-intensive industries, such as cement and lime, in the UK. He warned against over-regulation of such industries, saying that it would not only threaten the UK's security of supply but would also export jobs and carbon for no environmental gain. Jackson said, "When the Chancellor announces the government's proposed package of help with energy costs for those energy-intensive industries at risk of 'carbon leakage' we need to see the cement and lime industries included. Government must act decisively to signal that it wants to retain viable domestic cement and lime industries in the UK." Jackson stressed, "This is the Chancellor's opportunity to put his words into practice and help protect British jobs, British manufacturing and British business. We need this Government to be the most enterprising ever."