The market for cement | Germany

1.1 Introduction

The cement market comprises the production, distribution and sale of this building material. Cement is used in various segments such as residential construction, non-residential construction and various infrastructures. There are several types of cements such as:

• Portland cement: clinker (mixture of clay and limestone that has been heated) ground into fine powder that is mixed with gypsum and other additives.
• Aluminate cement: made from materials containing alumina and resistant to acids and sulfates, ideal for industrial applications.
• Rapid cement: water-based and hardens quickly, ideal for emergency repairs.

Globally, the cement market is largely dominated by Asia, which accounts for over 60% of total consumption. In addition, emerging economies such as India and China are the main drivers of global demand due to the growth of their infrastructure and housing construction in cities. The CAGR of the cement market is about 5%. By way of comparison, around 150,000 kilograms of cementare processed worldwide every second.

In Germany, the cement market is mature and established, with annual production of around 30 million tons. However, demand for cement in Germany is strongly influenced by public infrastructure projects and residential construction. The German cement industry is also characterized by high environmental standards and, in particular, growing demand for more environmentally friendly cement types. Typical customers in the German cement market include construction companies, real estate developers and public institutions.

There are several companies operating in this market, the main ones being:

• HeidelbergCement
• Dyckerhoff
• Schwenk Cement

Many companies are investing in the research and development of cements with a low carbon footprint, such as geopolymer cements. Developments in this market reflect environmental concerns and the changing needs of customers and regulators. New forms of cement, such as those based on industrial or agricultural waste, are gaining popularity due to their lower environmental impact.