cement

Demand for cement in China will rise 5.1 percent annually through 2010 to reach 1.3 billion metric tons, driven by moderating but healthy growth in construction expenditures. China will remain the largest national consumer of cement in the world, accounting for close to half of global cement consumption in 2010. Cement demand in the ready-mix concrete market will post the strongest gains of any market category through 2010, increasing 11.2 percent annually through 2010. Market growth will continue to benefit from the government's implementation of Decree #341, which bans onsite concrete production in over 200 cities across China in order to reduce environmental damage from onsite cement mixing and improve the quality of concrete used in construction.