World cement consumption is forecast to decrease marginally to 4 billion tons in 2019, according to CW Research’s 1H2019 update of the Global Cement Volume Forecast Report (GCVFR).

According to CW Research’s Cement and Clinker Price Assessments for Mediterranean Basin and Persian Gulf, FOB prices for both commodities recorded a slight expansion in March 2019.

After seeing their margins hammered by rising costs and stagnated prices, Indian cement manufacturers are enjoying some respite thanks to recovering rates. Still, the outlook for Indian cement pricing remains uncertain.

In the fourth quarter of 2018, global gray cement ex-works prices weakened across most major markets, with the exception of China, according to the 4Q2018 update of CW Research’s Global Cement Trade Price Report (GCTPR).

The IMF and the World Bank are expecting the world economy to face several challenges in 2019, as some key economies cool down. As governments face issues that will affect their decisions for investment in the construction sector, how will the global sector be affected by an expected economic slowdown during the year?

Global demand for calcium aluminate cement is forecast to reach one million tons between 2021 and 2022, according to CW Research’s Global Calcium Aluminate Cement Market Report and Forecast.

The most read stories of 2018 on CemWeek reveal an industry immersed in a new reality, one that will require optimizing efficiency and reducing production costs, exploring alternative fuels, and preparing for a softer cement demand.