Global Cement

Global Cement

Through 2026, global demand for cement is forecast to rise 2.4% per year to 4.8 billion metric tons, an improvement over the rate of the 2016-2021 period due to:

• a resurgence in both building and infrastructure construction as the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic
• ever-increasing demand for cement in developing nations, especially those in the Asia/Pacific region

However, rising cement prices could cause cost-conscious users, such as governments or individuals looking to build or expand a home, to delay projects in the short term. Prices are expected to rise 5% per year due to:

• high energy costs, as cement is the most energy-intensive industry in the world
• supply shortages of some key materials as some economies look to move away from coal, reducing the amount of inexpensive byproduct available for cement production

China Remains the Dominant Market, but Other Asia/Pacific Countries Developing Quickly

China continues to dominate demand for cement, accounting for nearly half of the world market and 75% of the Asia/Pacific total. Although the country is beginning to mature beyond the period of rapid expansion it experienced over the last decade, ongoing construction will continue to support demand, as will the need to maintain buildings and roads that have already been built.

However, other countries are entering their own phases of rapid development – particularly India, Indonesia, and other countries in the Asia/Pacific region – and are providing more opportunities for cement use. India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia are all undertaking huge infrastructure project such as the Chenab Rail Bridge, Mumbai-Delhi Expressway, the joint Border Infrastructure Project between Thailand and Malaysia, and a proposed bridge or tunnel connecting Malaysia to Indonesia.

Sustainability a Key Point of Development for Leading Cement Suppliers

Cement is the most energy-intensive industry in the world, and industry leaders outside of China are working to address this using a number of strategies, including technology-driven solutions optimizing cement use and continued development of new product lines that reduce carbon emissions and make greater use of recycled materials:

• Holcim and Heidelberg Materials have both acquired companies that specialize in recycling demolition material and building material waste in order to reduce use of raw materials.
• New cement product lines such as Holcim’s ECOPlanet highlight this focus in their product offerings.
• Heidelberg Materials is also investing in the development of sensor and software technology that can be used by ready-mix concrete companies to reduce waste and optimize inputs.

Study Description

This Freedonia industry study analyzes the 4.2 billion metric ton global cement. It presents historical demand data (2011, 2016, and 2021) and forecasts (2026 and 2031) by type (blended, portland, specialty), market (residential buildings, nonresidential buildings, infrastructure and other markets), and region (North America, Central and South America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia/Pacific, Africa/Mideast). The study discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also evaluates company market share and competitive analysis on industry competitors including China National Building Materials, LafargeHolcim, Anhui Conch Cement, and Heidelberg Cement.
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