What drives the world’s infrastructure development and urbanization? Cement is a fundamental building material that is crucial in shaping cities, roads, and industries. In 2023, global cement production reached approximately 4.1 billion metric tons, with the largest producers, China, India, and Vietnam, accounting for a significant share. China alone produced over 2.1 billion tons, highlighting its dominance in the sector. As countries strive to meet rising construction demands, understanding the dynamics of cement production reveals not only economic growth but also the challenges of sustainability and environmental impact in this vital industry. Here is the list of the top 10 largest cement producers in the world.

Also Read: Largest Wheat Producers in the World

List of 10 Largest Cement Producers in the World

1. China 
2. India
3. Vietnam
4. United States
5. Turkey
6. Iran 
7. Brazil
8. Indonesia
9. Russia
10. Saudi Arabia

1) China 

With an astounding 2,100 million metric tons of cement produced in 2023, China is without a doubt the world leader in cement manufacturing. This amount highlights China’s dominance in the cement industry by accounting for more than half of global cement production. The need for cement in the nation’s high-speed rail networks, housing developments, and urban infrastructure projects is mostly driven by the construction industry, which is currently experiencing significant growth.

Large state-owned companies like China National Building Material (CNBM), one of the biggest cement producers in the world, and Anhui Conch Cement are the main drivers of China’s cement output. By increasing domestic production and globalizing their operations, these corporations have established China as a major participant in cement exports.

The Chinese government has also taken steps to modernize the cement industry by encouraging the adoption of environmentally friendly practices. These include reducing CO2 emissions by incorporating more efficient production methods and recycling industrial waste.

With initiatives like the Belt and Road infrastructure project, China’s cement industry is expected to maintain its leading position in the global market, ensuring a steady demand for cement in both domestic and international markets.

2) India

With an estimated 410 million metric tons produced in 2023, India is the world’s second-largest producer of cement. Due to its growing infrastructure and building industries, the nation plays a vital part in the world’s cement production, as evidenced by this impressive output. The demand for cement in India is driven by significant initiatives like the Smart Cities Mission, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), and the country’s rapidly increasing urbanization.

UltraTech Cement, ACC Limited, and Ambuja Cements are major players in the cement sector in India; these businesses are market leaders on the home front and are also making significant progress internationally. With an annual production capacity of over 120 million metric tons, UltraTech stands as one of the world’s leading makers of cement.

India’s cement production is also supported by abundant limestone reserves, ensuring a steady supply of raw materials. Furthermore, the Indian government’s focus on sustainability has led to the adoption of energy-efficient practices and the use of alternative fuels like fly ash and slag in cement production.

As India continues to focus on infrastructural development and affordable housing, its cement industry is expected to grow even further, positioning the country as a crucial player in both the regional and global markets.

Also Read: Largest Steel Producers In The World

3) Vietnam

Vietnam established itself as a prominent participant in the global cement industry in 2023 with its remarkable 110 million metric tons of cement production. Due to a mix of high export demand and domestic development projects, the nation’s cement production has increased dramatically in recent years. Vietnam is one of the top exporters of cement in the world, reaching significant markets in Bangladesh, China, and the Philippines.

Vietnam Cement Industry Corporation (VICEM) and Holcim Vietnam are significant participants in the cement industry, having aided in the expansion of the nation’s capacity. Vietnam’s cement sector benefits from large quantities of limestone, especially in the country’s north and center, which offer a consistent flow of raw materials for manufacturing.

The government’s push for infrastructural development and industrial growth has also fueled cement demand domestically, particularly in urbanization projects and transportation infrastructure like roads, bridges, and ports. Also, Vietnam’s cement industry has embraced more sustainable practices, incorporating the use of alternative materials and fuels to reduce carbon emissions.

As both an exporter and a producer, Vietnam is strategically placed to capitalize on regional demand, ensuring that its cement industry continues to play a pivotal role in Southeast Asia’s construction and infrastructure sectors.

4) United States

With 91 million metric tons of cement produced in 2023, the US was among the world’s top cement manufacturers. The nation’s burgeoning infrastructure and construction industries, which include significant projects like highway extensions, residential and commercial constructions, and renewable energy installations, are the main drivers of this output. In the US construction sector, cement is essential for building structures such as power plants, buildings, and bridges.

Companies like LafargeHolcim, Lehigh Hanson, and CEMEX USA, which make up a sizeable amount of domestic output, are at the forefront of the cement business in the United States. These corporations run a large number of cement facilities all around the US, especially in places with significant construction demand like Texas, California, and Florida.

The U.S. also benefits from extensive limestone reserves, ensuring a stable supply of raw materials for cement manufacturing. However, sustainability is increasingly becoming a focus for the industry, with efforts to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption through innovations like carbon capture and the use of alternative fuels.

As the U.S. government continues to prioritize infrastructure development, particularly under initiatives like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the country’s cement demand is expected to grow, reinforcing its role as a major player in the global market.

Also Read: Largest Apple Producers in the World

5) Turkey

Turkey is one of the major producers of cement in Europe and the Middle East, with 79 million metric tons produced in 2023. Cement production in the nation is a major driver of the economy, with both a sizable export market and strong domestic demand. Turkey’s large-scale infrastructure initiatives, such as the construction of airports, the enlargement of highways, and the urban transformation plan intended to make structures earthquake-proof, depend heavily on cement.

Large corporations that run extensive production facilities all over the nation, such as Akçansa and OYAK Cement, control the majority of the cement market in Turkey. Besides meeting domestic needs, these businesses export cement to more than 100 nations, with sizable markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

Turkey has abundant limestone reserves, particularly in regions like the Marmara and Mediterranean, which support the country’s cement production. Also, the Turkish government’s focus on infrastructure and housing projects, including the construction of new airports, roads, and bridges, continues to drive domestic consumption.

The Turkish cement industry has also made strides in sustainability by reducing CO2 emissions and incorporating alternative energy sources, positioning itself as a key player in both regional development and the global cement export market.

6) Iran 

Iran remained the leading producer of cement in the Middle East in 2023 with 65 million metric tons produced. The nation’s cement sector is essential to both its export markets and local building projects. Iran enjoys the benefits of a well-established network of over 70 cement facilities, many of which are state-owned or supported by huge conglomerates, and abundant quantities of limestone.

The Iranian government has made significant investments in the construction of energy facilities, housing developments, and transportation networks, all of which increase demand for cement. Construction initiatives like the Mehr Housing Scheme have increased output domestically, and Iran is a major exporter of cement to nations in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Leading companies such as Fars & Khuzestan Cement Company and Tehran Cement Company dominate the local industry. Despite facing economic sanctions and geopolitical challenges, Iran has managed to maintain a strong cement output, partially due to its self-sufficiency in raw materials and energy resources.

Iran’s cement industry is also focusing on reducing energy consumption and adopting more efficient technologies, ensuring that the country remains competitive in both regional and global markets, especially as demand for construction materials continues to rise.

Also Read: Largest Silk Producers in the World

7) Brazil

With 63 million metric tons of cement produced in 2023, Brazil became the leading producer of cement in Latin America. The nation’s building and infrastructure industries, which are fueled by increasing urbanization and continuous government programs like the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), are strongly related to the cement business. Infrastructure projects for housing, transportation, and energy continue to drive the demand for cement in the country.

Two of the biggest cement producers in Brazil, Votorantim Cimentos and InterCement, are significant participants in the nation’s cement market. Specifically, Votorantim Cimentos is one of the major cement exporters in Latin America and runs several production plants throughout Brazil.

Brazil’s vast reserves of limestone and other raw materials, particularly in regions like São Paulo and Minas Gerais, provide a stable foundation for its cement production. Despite recent economic fluctuations, Brazil’s cement industry remains resilient, supported by the government’s focus on affordable housing projects and transportation infrastructure like roads and railways.

Sustainability has also become a priority, with Brazilian companies increasingly adopting energy-efficient technologies and alternative fuels like biomass to reduce carbon emissions. As Brazil continues to invest in large-scale infrastructure projects, the cement industry is expected to play a crucial role in the country’s economic development.

8) Indonesia

With 62 million metric tons of cement produced in 2023, Indonesia rose to prominence in the cement market in Southeast Asia. Cement production in the nation is directly related to the expanding construction industry, which is being propelled by the nation’s fast urbanization, industrialization, and massive infrastructure projects that the government has started under the auspices of its “National Strategic Projects” plan. These projects, which mostly depend on cement, include building new seaports, airports, and highways.

Major companies that run numerous cement facilities throughout the nation, like Semen Indonesia, Indocement, and Holcim Indonesia, control the majority of the cement market in Indonesia. With an annual capacity of over 50 million tons, Indonesia is the largest producer of cement and a major contributor to both internal supply and exports to neighboring nations.

Indonesia also benefits from vast limestone reserves, particularly in Java and Sumatra, which provide essential raw materials for cement production. However, in recent years, overcapacity has been a concern in the industry, leading to increased competition and the need to tap into export markets across Southeast Asia and beyond.

Sustainability is becoming a focus in Indonesia’s cement sector, with initiatives to reduce energy consumption and lower carbon emissions, ensuring the industry’s long-term competitiveness both locally and in the global market.

9) Russia

Russia produced 57 million metric tons of cement in 2023, solidifying its place as a major participant in the European market for building supplies. Extensive infrastructure projects, especially in the transportation, housing, and energy sectors, are the main drivers of cement demand in Russia. The nation’s roadway networks are being modernized, and new cement-heavy urban residential complexes are being developed. These are notable undertakings.

Large corporations like Novoroscement and Eurocement Group, which together control a sizeable share of the nation’s production capacity, dominate the cement sector in Russia. Large-scale factories are run by these businesses throughout Russia, especially in areas like Siberia and the Urals that have an abundance of limestone sources.

Despite economic sanctions and market fluctuations, Russia’s cement industry has remained resilient, bolstered by steady domestic demand and infrastructure development goals set by the government. The industry has also begun to explore sustainability, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency in cement production.

As Russia continues to invest in national infrastructure and construction projects, particularly in preparation for large-scale events and development plans, its cement production is expected to remain strong, securing its role in both regional and global markets.

Also Read: Biggest Coal Producers in the World

10) Saudi Arabia

With 53 million metric tons of cement produced in 2023, Saudi Arabia emerged as a prominent force in the Middle East’s infrastructure and construction industries. Saudi Arabia’s ambitious ambition to diversify its economy, known as Vision 2030, is intimately linked to the nation’s cement production. This plan involves major investments in large-scale infrastructure and urban development projects such as NEOM, The Red Sea Project, and the expansion of Makkah and Madinah.

Companies like Yamama Cement, Southern Province Cement, and Saudi Cement Company are at the forefront of the Saudi cement market. These companies run a large number of plants around the nation, especially in areas where raw resources like limestone, which is necessary for the making of cement, are plentiful.

Saudi Arabia’s robust domestic demand is primarily fueled by residential housing, commercial buildings, and mega-projects under Vision 2030, which are reshaping the country’s urban landscape. Also, Saudi cement producers have increased exports to neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and beyond, capitalizing on regional demand.

The industry is also focusing on sustainability, with initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption, aligning with the global shift toward more eco-friendly cement production practices. As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in its infrastructure and industrial development, the cement industry remains a cornerstone of the nation’s growth.

No	Country	Total Cement Production in 2023 (Million Metric Tons)
1	China	2100
2	India	410
3	Vietnam	110
4	United States	91
5	Turkey	79
6	Iran	65
7	Brazil	63
8	Indonesia	62
9	Russia	57
10	Saudi Arabia	53

Also Read: Countries With the Most Natural Resources

Conclusion

Cement remains a cornerstone of global development, essential for constructing the infrastructure that supports modern society. With China producing over 2.1 billion metric tons in 2023, it continues to lead the charge, followed by India and Vietnam. Together, the largest cement producers in the world illustrate the significant role of cement in economic growth and urbanization. However, as production soars, so do environmental concerns, prompting a push for sustainable practices. By recognizing the contributions and challenges of major cement producers, you can better understand the industry’s impact on both development and the environment.

FAQs