Previously announced plans of more than 6Mta of new capacity during 2016-18 remain unchanged, according to the Portland Cement Association’s (PCA’s) latest capacity report.

There have been no plant shutdowns since April 2012. However, the re-opening of plants closed during the economic downturn has yet to materialise, the association has said.

PCA’s latest projections for cement consumption suggest sustained growth though the forecast horizon. "Given a domestic capacity scenario still characterised by furloughed plants and annual expansions under the historical average, utilisation rates are expected to recover in tandem with more robust cement shipments," the PCA added.