Largest cement producers in the world

Largest cement producers in the world: Cement producers around the world have been ramping up production in order to meet the global cement demand driven by infrastructure and housing projects. The product is supplied for both basic and specialised needs with heavy demand being found in the construction of dams, bridges, roads and housing.

In this article, we bring you the largest cement producers in the world most of which are found in Asia, specifically China. The country is currently the highest producer of the commodity.

Largest cement producers in the world

1. LafargeHolcim

With operations in 90 countries, LafargeHolcim is the largest cement producer in the world.

The company came into being following the merger of Lafarge and Holcim in July 2015. LafargeHolcim has grown to 180 production plants around the world that produce 386 million tonnes every year.

2. Anhui Conch

Another one of the largest cement producers in the world is Anhui Conch Cement Company Limited which was founded in 1997. Being the second largest in the world, it goes without saying that the company is also the largest cement manufacturer and distributor in mainland China.

Anhui Conch has 32 production plants that cumulatively produce 288 million tonnes a year. In 2019, the company produced 217.20 million tonnes of cement, which was the second-highest behind LafargeHolcim.

3. China National Building Materials (CNBM)

China National Building Materials (CNBM) is the third largest cement producer in the world. The state-owned construction company was established back in 2005. It mainly specializes in the research, manufacture, and distribution of building materials including cement, gypsum, and fibreglass.

CNBM has a total of 94 cement plants with an annual capacity of 176.22 million tonnes. The company is the largest producer of fibreglass in Asia.

4. HeidelbergCement

HeidelbergCement is a German company that specializes in the production of building materials like concrete, aggregate, cement, and asphalt. The company was established in 1874. HeidelbergCement has an annual production capacity of 121.11 million tonnes and has 79 plants in more than 60 countries. The company has a workforce of 55,047 and is the largest cement company in Germany.

In 2015, HeidelbergCement announced that it had entered into a purchase agreement with Italmobiliare S.p.A. about the acquisition of a 45% shareholding in Italcementi S.p.A. The purchase price amounts to €10.60 per Italcementi share. In 2016, HeidelbergCement completed the sale of operations in Belgium, primarily consisting of Italcementi’s Belgian subsidiary Compagnie des Ciments Belges S.A. (CCB) to an affiliate of Cementir Holding.

“With the disposal of the Belgium assets we fulfil the obligation of the European Commission and improve the net financial position of HeidelbergCement after the acquisition of Italcementi,” said Dr. Bernd Scheifele, CEO of HeidelbergCement.

5. Cemex

Cemex is a construction materials company with its headquarters in San Pedro, near Monterrey, Mexico. The company specializes in the production of construction materials like aggregates, cement, and ready-made concrete.

Cemex was established in 1906 and currently has operations in more than 50 countries. The company has 56 plants with an annual production capacity of 87 million tonnes.

6. Italcementi

Italcementi is the sixth-largest producer of cement in the world. The company has its headquarters in Bergamo, Italy. Italcementi has an annual production capacity of 76.62 million tonnes produced in 60 cement plants.

The company is mainly known for the production of aggregates, cement, asphalt, and ready-made concrete. Italcementi was founded in 1864.

From 1st July 2016, the Company became part of the HeidelbergCement Group. However, Italcementi preserved its own brand, its industrial and cultural identity and the tradition of its over 155 years of history.

7. China Resources Cement

China Resources Cement is a major cement producer in Southern China. The company has an annual production capacity of 78.3 million tonnes and operates 24 production plants. In terms of volumes sold, the company ranks second in China.

China Resources Cement is located in China’s Cayman Islands and has its headquarters in Hong Kong.

 8. Taiwan Cement Corporation

Taiwan Cement Corporation is based in Taiwan and specializes in the production of cement, cement machinery, furnace powder, and ready-mixed concrete. The company was established in May 1964 and has an annual production capacity of 64 million tonnes from its six plants.

9. Eurocement

This is the largest producer of construction materials in Russia. The company was established in 2002 and currently has operations in Russia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. The company produces 45 million tonnes a year from its 17 cement plants.

10. Votorantim Cimentos

Votorantim Cimentos, the largest cement company in Brazil closes the list of the top 10 cement producers in the world. The company produces 45.02 million tonnes of cement every year in its 34 cement plants. In addition to cement, Votorantim Cimentos also produces mortar, aggregates, and ready-made concrete.