International Cement Review articles tagged under : Market Reports
South Korea’s shift to neutral
The rapid capacity build-up of South Korea’s cement industry over the 1980s-1990s came to a sudden end in 1997. Since then the sector has shifted its investment focus to the sustainable production of cement, supported by the government’s drive towards carbon neutrality by 2050. By Korean Cement Association, South Korea. If South Korea’s government maintains its economic stimulus policy ...
Can Mexico’s fiesta continue?
Despite initial concerns that Mexican cement demand would see a sharp contraction in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic consumption held up better than expected through the year. The early signs for 2021 are...
Vietnam’s export boost
Vietnam’s total cement and clinker sales expanded by 0.9 per cent YoY in 2020 to 97.5Mt, according to FiinGroup. Of this total, domestic cement consumption was 62.1Mt, declining by 5.6 per cent YoY. Meanwhile, clink...
Indonesia’s face of recovery
COVID-19 restrictions disturbed the Indonesian cement market last year, with demand and utilisation levels falling as the country continues to exhibit a significant capacity overhang. LEK Consulting provides a summar...
India: further challenges ahead
India’s cement demand declined by less than initially anticipated in 2020 and producer profitability was supported by a better-than-expected economic recovery, stable cement prices and greater cost efficiencies. Howe...
Morocco’s market dynamic
Pending the real estate sector recovery, cement demand in Morocco will be driven in the coming years by both major infrastructure projects and the emergence of the southern regions which are evolving into becoming to...
Florida: bolder, brighter, better
Like all US states, Florida has been badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic with tourist numbers plummeting as borders shut and lockdown measures were imposed. But pent-up demand in the housing market, strong infrastruct...
The pull towards Tanzania
Despite a slight contraction in 2020, Tanzania’s cement consumption is estimated to remain stable or increase going forward owing to promising market fundamentals. However, overcapacity remains an issue and producers...
Malaysia: budget for the future
Malaysia’s cement market has seen consumption slow in recent years due to political uncertainty and a mature residential market. Although COVID-19 stifled output in the 1H20, a new government and the largest budget i...
Russia on the rebound?
After returning to growth in 2019, Russian cement consumption stalled in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Construction output stagnated during the year, but government programmes are expected to stimu...
Central Asia market dynamics
The central Asian cement markets of the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan held firm in 2020 despite disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. GS-Expert discusses the dynamics of both markets, including production lev...
Kazakhstan’s way ahead
Kazakhstan’s cement industry has come a long way with the modernisation of existing and construction of new cement plants. Effective government support measures and housing construction helped cement output reach a r...
China: pandemic to peak carbon
China’s forthcoming 14th Five-Year Plan commits the country to ‘peak carbon’, but what consequences will this have for the world’s largest cement producer? Previous restructuring efforts have transformed the industry...
Building on diversification
Kuwait has seen its economy heavily impacted by the crisis in oil prices, a lack of diversity and the COVID-19 pandemic. A lack of investment in infrastructure has further seen demand fall for the cement sector, whic...
Nigeria: search for new markets
While Nigerian cement volumes rose sharply in the 3Q20 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there is limited room for strong volume and price growth. For the oligopolistic domestic cement industry, competitive pressures are a...
Great expectations?
While the start of 2020 saw optimism, COVID-19 quickly altered the view of even the most ardent optimist. As cement demand tumbled with construction sites going silent so did the sector’s initial confidence. However,...