The Department of the Environment has reportedly rejected proposals for the use of environmentally-friendly cement in public building projects following lobbying from the cement industry.

A cement company is reportedly threatening legal action against the Government if it proceeds with its planned method of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

IRELAND’S only ‘green’ cement maker will go out of business at a potential cost of millions of euro a year to the State if EU regulations are not changed, an Oireachtas committee was warned yesterday.

Green cement provider Ecocem, which operates a €10m manufacturing facility in Dublin Port, announced today that the use of its environmentally friendly cement will lead to a reduction in CO2 emissions well in excess of 150,000 tonnes for the year 2005.

Lisheen Mines, the lead and zinc mining outfit owned by international mining giant Anglo American plc, has awarded a major supply contract for environmentally friendly cement.

Lisheen Mines, the Tipperary-based mining subsidiary of Anglo American Plc., has awarded a major supply contract for environmentally friendly cement to Ecocem.

Ireland is to have its first environmentally friendly cement manufacturing facility, located in the port area of Dublin.