Indonesia’s cement consumption is forecast to increase 8.4 per cent to 7.55Mt in the first quarter of this year from 6.97Mt in the same period last year.

Based on data at the Indonesian Cement Association (ASI) in February, the country’s cement consumption rose 3.5 per cent to 2.3 million tons from the same month last year.

ASI chairman Urip Timuryono said cement consumption is expected to continue to increase this year with many construction projects planned including infrastructure projects of the government.

Timuryono said in March consumption is expected to increase 5 per cent from the same month last year