SANTO DOMINGO - The president of the Dominican Association of
Portland Cement Producers (ADOCEM), Jorge David Pérez, described 2025 as "a year of structural challenges and regulatory pressures " for the national cement sector.
He explained that the performance of the construction has remained below the growth levels of previous years, affected by informal employment, high interest rates and inflation in construction materials.
Pérez indicated that “the performance of the cement industry is directly linked to that of the construction sector.” He reported that between January and August of this year, sales volume to the local market grew by only “1.1%,” which, he emphasized, reflects weak domestic demand resulting from the sector's slowdown.
He added that, in contrast, the volume exported increased by 10.8% compared to the same
period in 2024.
He noted that one of the main challenges faced by the industry in 2025 has been the proposed amendment to the General Law on Waste Management , which proposes mandatory energy recovery quotas in cement kilns.
He explained that article 20 of the project establishes that cement plants must incorporate fuels derived from national waste into their production processes.
Pérez warned that “Article 20 represents a serious violation of the freedom of enterprise, enshrined in Article 50 of the Constitution.”
He stressed that imposing a specific input on an industry by law, without a balanced market structure, puts free competition and can generate monopolies that hinder fair negotiations.
Despite the challenges, the president of ADOCEM reported that the installed cement production capacity has risen to approximately 11 million tons, a figure which, he pointed out, guarantees the supply of the local market and strengthens the export potential of the industry for the next 15 to 20 years.
Outlook for 2026
recovery is expected next year , provided that the economic environment is stabilized and open dialogue is maintained with the authorities.
“We will continue working towards a sustainable, competitive industry aligned with international best practices,” he stated.
History
The Dominican Association of Portland Cement Producers (ADOCEM) was founded on December 18, 1980 with the objective of promoting the development of the cement industry in the Dominican Republic.
It currently comprises six producing companies: Argos Dominicana, Cementos Cibao, Cementos Progreso, Cementos Santo Domingo, Domicem and Panam.
In its 45-year history, ADOCEM has promoted research, technical training and sustainability in the sector, consolidating itself as the main entity for consultation and collaboration on issues related to the cement industry in the country.
