[Exclusive] July 1st is 'Cement Day'... Industry's Long-Standing Wish Fulfilled

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] The Korea Cement Association will designate July 1 as "Cement Day." This comes 59 years after the association was established.

A representative from the Cement Association stated on the 23rd, "The modernization and industrialization process of our country has progressed in tandem with the development of the cement industry, fulfilling its role as a key national industry," adding, "To boost the pride of those working in the cement industry and to mark a new leap forward, we have decided to establish 'Cement Day'."

In the cement industry, Ssangyong C&E celebrated its 60th anniversary this year, and the association will mark its 60th anniversary next year. However, since the cement industry has not yet had a separate commemorative day, there has been a strong public opinion that 'Cement Day' should be established as soon as possible. In fact, most manufacturing sectors such as automobiles, steel, shipbuilding, semiconductors, petrochemicals, and paper have their own industry commemorative days.

The cement industry attempted to establish Cement Day once at the association level in 2011, but due to the global financial crisis and the urgent need to overcome the industry's management difficulties, it was decided to reconsider the matter later. This year, as the demand for a commemorative day from member companies resurfaced, the association re-pushed the establishment of Cement Day, and July 1 of next month has been designated as the "1st Cement Day."

The Cement Association was launched on July 1, 1963, as the "Korea Cement Industry Association" with five founding members: Dongyang, Daehan, Ssangyong, Hanil, and Hyundai Cement. To grow the cement industry in line with national economic development, a unifying point for industry solidarity was necessary. At that time, the heads of the five companies?Lee Yang-gu of Dongyang Cement, Lee Jeong-rim of Daehan Cement, Hong Jae-seon of Ssangyong Cement, Heo Chae-gyeong of Hanil Cement, and Chung Ju-young of Hyundai Cement?agreed on this and launched the association. On January 1, 2011, the name was changed to the Korea Cement Association.

As of the end of 2021, Korea produces 48 million tons of cement annually and exports 6.5 million tons. Production ranks 13th in the world, and exports rank 12th globally. An industry official said, "Recently, the cement industry has been actively responding to government policies such as recycling of circular resources and carbon neutrality," adding, "The perception of the cement industry by both the government and the public is also changing positively."

Meanwhile, the Cement Association plans to hold the 1st Cement Day commemorative ceremony at 5 p.m. on July 1 at the Conference Center of the Federation of Korean Industries in Yeouido, Seoul, with government, National Assembly, and related organization officials in attendance.

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