TRINIDAD Cement Ltd (TCL) has advised its customers that cement prices could rise in the coming weeks if a proposed increase in natural gas prices for manufacturers is approved, saying the adjustment would have a “material and unavoidable cost impact” on its operations.

In a notice to customers dated January 26, TCL said it is awaiting a final determination on the gas price increase proposed by the National Gas Company (NGC), expected by January 31. The company noted that natural gas is “a critical input in cement manufacturing” and that the proposed increase would significantly affect production costs.

State-owned NGC recently announced a proposed 76% increase in the price of natural gas supplied to light industrial consumers, with rates set to rise by the end of January 2026. The adjustment would push prices from about US$3 to approximately US$5.30 per MMBtu for businesses that use natural gas directly in their production processes.