Global cement consumption set to reach new highs

LONDON — U.K.-based International Cement Review recently announced the publication of its latest Global Cement Report, a 400-page analysis and forecast for the worldwide cement industry, with coverage of more than 160 countries.

In essence, this report notes that global cement consumption growth slowed by 2.4 percent in 2008 to 2830Mt, but recovering thereafter to 2998Mt in 2009 and up to 3294Mt in 2010, giving annual growth rates of 5.9 percent and 9.9 percent, respectively, for these latter two years. By 2012, worldwide cement consumption is forecast to reach a record 3859Mt.

China now dominates world cement statistics consuming 1851Mt in 2010, almost double 2004 levels, while India, the world’s second-largest consumer, registered 212Mt in 2010. The United States, the third-largest consumer, saw demand fall down to 69Mt.

World trade in cement and clinker was noted at 150Mt in 2010 of which seaborne trade was estimated at 105Mt. Some 50Mt of clinker was included in the above international trading totals.

Turkey currently is noted as the world’s leading export nation of cement and clinker, with sales of 19Mt in 2010, overtaking China which recorded close to 17Mt of export sales. Thailand was third with 14Mt of cement and clinker exports.

Bangladesh currently is the largest cement and clinker import nation worldwide with more than 12Mt of deliveries in 2010 followed by Nigeria at 7Mt and the United States at close to 6Mt (down from 36Mt in 2006), according to the report.

Lafarge retains its top position in terms of global cement sales of 141.2Mt and turnover of EUR15,884m ahead of Holcim with cement sales of 136.7Mt and a turnover of EUR15,691m. HeidelbergCement remains third, ahead of Cemex, Italcementi, and Buzzi Unicem. Holcim, however, has the lead in terms of global cement capacity at 212Mt, 11Mt higher than Lafarge.

The Global Cement Report also includes country-by-country cement forecasts, including consumption, production, exports, and imports up to 2012.

This unique reference work is accompanied by a CD providing 20 years of statistical data in Excel format, arranged by country and geographical region. The report is available for immediate purchase at www.cemnet.com/publications/GlobalCementReport9.