Issue introduction

Prior to the release of the final print version of the Global Cement Directory 2018, we present a run down of the top cement producing nations and cement producers as they stand at the start of the New Year.

The big theme of the cement industry in 2017 has been the drive by producers to merge and the battle afterwards to squeeze value from the resultant entities.

Since the end of the Second World War, cement production has grown into a huge global industry. The Global Cement Directory 2017 details over 2200 integrated cement plants and 500+ grinding plants worldwide that can produce around 4.2Bnt/yr of cement.

Whatever the solution, many in the cement industry want to make their plants more efficient, both to save money and to hit sustainable development goals (SDGs). Here Wikov Industry presents its stance...