Global Cement News

South Korea: Domestic cement shipments dropped by 25% year-on-year in January and February 2025 to 4.45Mt, with March expected to show a similar decline, according to the Korea Cement Association. If this trend continues, the Dong-a Ilbo newspaper reports that annual demand could fall to the 30Mt range, comparable to levels seen in the 1980s. 2024’s shipment volumes reached 44.2Mt, and a drop of more than 10% in 2025 would see this figure drop below the 40Mt threshold, not seen since 1991. The slump has been attributed to persistent structural issues in the construction sector, including a backlog of unsold regional housing.

A Korea Cement Association official said “The role of cement as a core pillar of national industrial growth has faded, leaving only a sense of crisis. This severe demand collapse is likely to persist for the foreseeable future.”

Vietnam: Vietnam produced 55.9Mt of cement in the first four months of 2025, up by 9% year-on-year, according to data from the National Statistics Office. In April 2025, output rose by 7.5% year-on-year to 16.8Mt. The country produced 184.2Mt in 2024, up by 3.5% year-on-year.

Spain: Cement consumption in Andalusia rose by 13% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025 to 763,000t, according to the Andalusian Cement Manufacturers Association (AFCA).

In March 2025, consumption reached 254,000t, up by 12% year-on-year. However, clinker and cement exports fell by 9% to 97,600t during the same period.

AFCA president Ricardo de Pablos said “The first quarter of the year reflects a positive trend in cement consumption and, therefore, in construction sector activity.”

De Pablos added that building permits for new homes grew by 31% in 2024, with 31,296 homes authorised for construction throughout 2025, but warned that no investment growth is expected in 2025.

Ireland: CRH recorded total revenues of US$6.8bn in the first quarter of 2025, up by 3% year-on-year, and adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of US$495m, up by 11%. However, it reported a net loss of US$98m, compared to a net income of US$114m in the first quarter of 2024.

The company said performance was driven by its ‘differentiated strategy’, positive pricing and acquisition contributions, with underlying demand across key markets remaining positive. CRH completed eight acquisitions for US$0.6bn during the period and reaffirmed its full-year 2025 guidance for a net income of US$3.7bn – 4.1bn and adjusted EBITDA of US$7.3bn – 7.7bn.

Uganda: Lands, Housing and Urban Development minister Judith Nabakooba said that the government and the Naita-A-Tepeth Communal Land Association have finalised a lease agreement to enable Tororo Cement to build Uganda’s first clinker plant in Katikekile, Moroto District. Nabakooba said that the project began in 2023, and will reduce clinker imports and conserve foreign exchange.

According to a social media post by the ministry, the agreement includes the sale of 202 hectares to Tororo Cement for the plant site, the lease of 3824 acres to the Uganda Investment Authority and the titling of institutional land for local public use.