Taiwan Cement’s Low-Carbon Investment: Supply Chains Reshaped by CBAM

Originally published 2023-11-28Robin’s commentary

Storage information

Bookmarks and reading positions are stored in this browser. Manage and back them up in My Reading.

Collected in Robin Shen’s Field Notes · Content type and attribution are shown above

English translation of the Chinese post originally published 2023-11-28. Translated 2026-10-26 with AI assistance. Historical figures and claims have not been updated or independently verified. 中文原文

Reading guide

Taiwan Cement announced increased low-carbon cement investment in Turkey and Portugal at a late-night material information press conference. The backdrop is the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The article describes an initial five-sector scope—cement, steel, aluminum, fertilizers, and electricity—representing about 45% of the EU carbon market. Of 248 covered products, Taiwan supplies 212, mainly steel products. Robin argues that Taiwan’s later start in emissions-related investment requires faster action to avoid carbon charges and export constraints. Local production can reduce transport emissions and accelerate supply-chain restructuring. Timelines and statistics reflect 2023.

Key points

Taiwan Cement increased low-carbon investment in Turkey and Portugal at the November 2023 reference point.
The article describes five initial CBAM sectors and 212 affected Taiwanese products.
Lagging emissions-related investment risks carbon charges and export constraints.
Local production reduces transport emissions and accelerates supply-chain restructuring.

Trees at different stages of growth with connected roots on cream paper, suggesting patient cultivation and lasting value. — Venture capital & investmentThematic illustration · AI generated

Full text — English translation

Taiwan Cement held a material information press conference late last night. It is increasing low-carbon cement investment, including in Turkey and Portugal. The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is beginning. Its first phase covers five high-emissions industries: cement, steel, aluminum, fertilizers, and electricity. They represent roughly 45% of the EU carbon-trading market’s emissions. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan supplies 212 of the 248 covered products, mainly steel products. Cement and steel production generate substantial emissions and are therefore in the first phase. Metal products using steel may come next. Taiwan started this investment wave late and must accelerate. Otherwise, carbon charges may reduce competitiveness and even restrict exports to Europe. Local manufacturing is another element, because transport also produces emissions. Alongside resilience and smarter supply chains, local production that reduces transport emissions can be expected to accelerate global supply-chain restructuring.

These articles are personal notes, book excerpts, and collected reprints. Figures and events reflect the time of the original publication, are not current information, and do not constitute investment advice.

DISCUSSION

Reader comments

What did this article make you think about? Different perspectives and constructive criticism are welcome.

Comments are public immediately. Do not include personal contact details or external links. Automated checks block suspicious solicitation, prohibited transactions and spam; they can make mistakes.

Comments load when you reach this section.

Administrator sign-in