Cement in China

Additional Information

Nonresidential building will remain largest end use
Nonresidential building construction will continue to represent the largest end use for cement, benefiting from ongoing industrialization in China. Nonresidential building cement consumption will also be boosted by the construction of new production facilities as the Chinese industrial sector focuses on more value added goods. However, demand for cement in nonbuilding construction will outpace other construction categories. In the short term, demand for cement used in infrastructure applications will benefit from government spending packages designed to offset the effects of the global economic downturn. In the longer term, a number of large infrastructure projects and other government initiatives to address imbalances in development between urban and rural areas will boost nonbuilding cement consumption.

Ready-mix concrete to be fastest growing market
Construction contractors will continue to represent the largest market for cement, accounting for nearly one-third of total demand in 2012. However, the ready-mix concrete market will exhibit the strongest growth, posting near double-digit gains through 2012. Gains will benefit from government regulations banning on-site concrete and mortar mixing. Demand for cement used in concrete products will be driven by the increasing popularity of precast concrete with many construction contractors. In addition, the phase-out of clay bricks will heighten demand for concrete blocks.