When the 2011 numbers came in, sales volumes were up five percent over 2010. Lafarge takes lead position over Holcim, and Heidelberg rules aggregates. While difficulties continue in the mature markets, all segments find reason for optimism.

After experiencing the first signs of global recovery in the first half of 2011, global building material companies kept pace in the second half to reach an annual growth rate of five percent for sales volumes (in EUR) compared to 2010. The companies in the CW analysis include Lafarge, Holcim, HeidelbergCement, CRH, Cemex, Italcementi, Buzzi Unicem, Cimpor, Vicat, and Titan.

The latest Global Cement Volume Forecast analysis by the CW Group shows global cement consumption growth will trend around six percent in 2012, reaching 3.78 billion tons. The increase is a decline from the nine percent consumption volume growth in 2011 when worldwide cement demand reached 3.56 billion tons.  The chief driver of global consumption growth will continue to be China, which will consume 2.22 billion tons of cement by 2012.

Over 200 respondents participated in the 2011 CemWeek Middle East and Africa Cement Sector Sentiment Survey carried out in September - November 2011. In this report, the CW Group shares a snapshot of emerging and developing trends that have dominated the African and Middle Eastern, including Turkish, cement sectors in recent months, along with those themes likely to be important in the months ahead.

Mr. Robert Cumming, an Environmental and Public Affairs Manager for Lafarge Canada, was recently interviewed by CemWeek and offered insight into the company’s successful efforts to improve their environmental impact. Mr. Cumming also discussed the company’s initiatives to further improve emissions in the future.

Founded in 1997, Egypt-based Arabian Cement Company became a member of Spain’s Cementos La Union group in 2004. In the past decade, ACC has faced a crumbing economy, licensing conflicts and political unrest. ACC’s CEO Jose Magrina spoke with CemWeek about the management decisions that have secured the company’s position within the Egyptian cement sector going into the future.