Global cement outlook for 2021

We keep our hope for 2021. COVID-19 related lockdowns should end, and the World economy should be progressively back to normal growth by the end of the first semester after successful vaccine campaigns. However, cost optimization within the cement industry must remain a priority in 2021 in a context where energy prices are surging, and pricing discipline will be a key parameter to protect cash flows. If our volume scenario materializes, the global cement demand in 2021 would be close to the demand experienced in 2019, after having dropped in 2020. However, differences will be visible between regions over the two years period, with growth in Africa and China, a decline in Europe, and broadly stable trends in the rest of the World. Post COVID-19, the World cement industry should see an acceleration of the pre-crisis disruptive patterns with stricter carbon regulations, more digitalization, and the migration of the value towards “green” concrete and solutions.

Author: A. Pinatel , Y. Touahri

Section: Review

Keywords: cement market, production, production capacity, consumption