Madhumitha Jaganmohan
Research expert covering climate and environmental sustainability
European cement industry - statistics & facts
The cement industry in Europe is flourishing owing to rising construction demands driven by urbanization and infrastructure investment. The market value of the European cement industry was estimated to be over 19.02 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, and it is projected to reach 31 billion U.S. dollars by 2033. Cement is primarily used to prepare concrete, either in the form of a ready-mix concrete or prefabricated concrete. In 2022, nearly 55 percent of the cement used in the EU 27 was consumed as ready-mixes.
In 2022, cement consumption in Europe has seen significant growth in at least six countries, with Lithuania taking the lead with a more than 12 percent increase in consumption. The largest consumption share of cement in the EU27 was for new construction projects, with 57 percent. Although the growth in consumption was mainly driven by infrastructure development, the economic fluctuations and shifts in construction patterns have led to unstable demand across different regions.
Considering the global economic situation and the importance of sustainable development, the cement industry needs to innovate and weather the headwinds for sustained growth. Initiatives such as carbon capture and utilization (CCU) adoption in manufacturing to reduce cement’s exceptionally high carbon footprint and developing products such as self-healing concrete for a longer lifecycle make the future look bright for the cement industry’s enhanced sustainability.
Cement production and consumption trends in Europe
Cement production in Europe is primarily concentrated in a handful of key nations, with Turkey, Germany, France, and Italy being among the largest producers. In 2022, Turkey’s cement production volume was estimated at around 74 million metric tons.In 2022, cement consumption in Europe has seen significant growth in at least six countries, with Lithuania taking the lead with a more than 12 percent increase in consumption. The largest consumption share of cement in the EU27 was for new construction projects, with 57 percent. Although the growth in consumption was mainly driven by infrastructure development, the economic fluctuations and shifts in construction patterns have led to unstable demand across different regions.
Market leaders in European cement industry
Holcim and Heidelberg Cement AG stand out as the undisputed leaders among European cement manufacturers, even ranking among the world’s leading cement companies. These two Switzerland and Germany-based conglomerates have a global reach, operating cement plants across Europe and beyond. In 2022, Holcim's annual revenue exceeded 33 billion U.S. dollars, further cementing its position as Europe's largest cement producer. Heidelberg Cement AG, with approximately 23 billion U.S. dollars, is a close second.Considering the global economic situation and the importance of sustainable development, the cement industry needs to innovate and weather the headwinds for sustained growth. Initiatives such as carbon capture and utilization (CCU) adoption in manufacturing to reduce cement’s exceptionally high carbon footprint and developing products such as self-healing concrete for a longer lifecycle make the future look bright for the cement industry’s enhanced sustainability.
