Commodity Online
SAN JOSE: The need for housing and continued government investments in infrastructure development in emerging economies will drive the global demand for cement.

The slump in global cement market is temporary and it is expected to reach 3.77 billion tonnes by 2012, according to a report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

"Cement: A Global Strategic Business Report" from Global Industry Analysts, Inc. provides a comprehensive review of market trends, drivers, product profile, players, competition, recent developments, mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic industry activities.

Emerging markets in Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa are driving global demand for cement. China alone produces and consumes slightly less than half the cement produced and consumed worldwide. China and India, the second largest producer and consumer of cement, together account for more than 50% of the total cement produced and consumed in the world. Developed markets including the US, Western Europe and Japan are mature and currently facing declining demand due to the global economic crisis.

Though, at present, demand is growing, but at a decelerated pace, the phase is momentary. Long-term projections indicate healthy demand growths, as world economy stabilizes and construction activity picks up across global markets into the next decade.

China, followed by India, United States, Japan and Russia, represent the largest producers and consumers of cement worldwide.

Other countries featuring prominently on the global cement space include Spain, South Korea, Italy, Iran, Turkey, and Brazil. Significant capacity expansions in China, India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey, Egypt, and Brazil are underway and planned for the next few years.

Portland cement is the most widely consumed cement variety worldwide. The largest geographic market is Asia-Pacific, and the fastest growth is forecast to take pace in the Middle East & Africa and Asia-Pacific markets. In fact, China alone consumes more than half the global Portland cement.

Blended cement, the less environment polluting varieties, would see demand grow in the next few years, as their favorable environmental profile and excellent performance wins end-user interest. Again Asia-Pacific represents the largest geographic market, though share of Europe also stands out. Fastest growth would take place in Asia-Pacific, as demand is expected to increase over the forecast years.

In terms of market, China remains the largest regional market, where Construction Contractors, followed by Concrete Products Producers represent the largest markets for cement. The fastest growing market, however, would be Ready-mix Concrete Producers, as they benefit from ban imposed by the Chinese government on mortar and concrete mixing at construction sites.

Meanwhile, the second largest regional market, India, would see cement demand advance the fastest for the Ready-mix Concrete Producers market. Though demand from Consumers, the largest cement market, would continue to grow, it would lose share to Ready-mix Concrete Producers and Concrete Products Producers markets.

The global marketplace is characterized by participants such as Lafarge (France), Holcim (Switzerland), Cemex (Mexico), HeidelbergCement (Germany) and Italcementi (Italy), which represent the five leading manufacturers of cement. Other international cement makers include Buzzi Unicem (Italy), Cimpor (Portugal), CRH (Ireland), Votorantim Cimentos (Brazil), Sumitomo Osaka Cement (Japan), Taiheiyo Cement (Japan), and Anhui Conch (China). Other leading regional market leaders include: Anhui Conch, China Shanshui, China National Building Material, and Tangshan Jidong in China; and ACC, Ambuja Cement, Grasim, UltraTech, and India Cements in India. (Courtesy: PRWeb)

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