UK-based International Cement Review has published its latest Global Cement Report, a 400-page analysis and forecast for the worldwide cement industry, with detailed coverage of over 160 countries.
In essence, this new report notes that global cement consumption growth slowed by 2.4% in 2008 to 2,830 million tonnes, but recovering thereafter to 2,998 million tonnes in 2009 and up to 3,294 million tonnes in 2010, giving annual growth rates of 5.9% and 9.9%, respectively, for these latter two years. By 2012, worldwide cement consumption is forecast to reach a record 3,859 million tonnes.
China now dominates world cement statistics consuming 1,851 million tonnes in 2010, almost double 2004 levels, while India, the world’s second-largest consumer registered 212 million tonnes in 2010. The United States, the third-largest consumer, saw demand fall down to 69 million tonnes.
World trade in cement and clinker was noted at 150 million tonnes in 2010 of which seaborne trade was estimated at 105 million tonnes. Some 50 million tonnes of clinker was included in the above international trading totals.
Turkey is currently noted as the world’s leading export nation of cement and clinker, with sales of 19 million tonnes in 2010, overtaking China which recorded close to 17 million tonnes of export sales. Thailand was third with 14 million tonnes of cement and clinker exports.