2 years the time it has taken China to produce more cement than the U.S. did in the 20th century.

China is the world's largest cement producer and it produces and consumes about 60% of global cement.

A cement building in China

More facts about the Chinese cement industry

  • Cement demand was significantly weaker in the first quarter of 2020, as construction activities came to a halt, with industry sales volume down 24% year-over-year, along with rising inventory levels and falling average sales prices. (Source: Fitch Ratings)
  • The 13th Five-Year Plan mandated a 25% reduction in the number of Chinese cement companies by 2020. (Source: New Security Beat)
  • According to some analysts, about 100 million tons of overcapacity will be removed from the market every year for the next 20 years, taking the capacity from 3.5 billion tons in 2015 to 1.5 billion tons or even less around 2035. (Source: ZKG Cement)
  • 1.6 million Chinese citizens die every year from respiratory illness linked to small particulate matter, over one quarter of which is attributable to cement production. (Source: New Security Beat)
  • Anhui Conch, the largest cement producer in China, had 34 plants in 2015, producing a total 219.13 metric tons per year. (Source Datis-Inc)

More stats