White Cement Repot

ICR
Quarterly
International Cement Review December 2003
The Global White Cement Report

2003

2003
ICR
Quarterly
2003
The Global
White Cement
Report 2003
ICR
Quarterly
2003

2003
Acknowledgements
The publishers would like to acknowledge, with
grateful thanks, all those individuals, companies
and trade associations who helped in providing
information, data and commentary in the
compilation of this report. This publication has been
compiled by the staff of International Cement
Review.
Photo credits
While maps, graphs and part of the photos were
supplied by in-house graphic services, we would like
to thank the following companies for supplying
below photographs : Aalborg Portland
photographs on p. 5, 41, 42, 54, 62, 75, 77, 78, 81.
Cementa AB photograph on p. 52. Cementos del
Nare photographs on p. 5, 34, 49, 54, 55. Cemex
photograph on p. 7, 18, 22, 25, 27, 32, 36, 58,
86. Lehigh Cement Co photographs on p. 55, 60.
Although every effort has been made to ensure the
accuracy and completeness of this publication, the
publishers do not accept any responsibility for any
errors or omissions. Any views expressed are those of
the publishers and their correspondents.
The Global White Cement Report its text, maps and graphs
must not be reproduced, photocopied, stored or conveyed by
any means of mechanical or electronic device without prior
written consent from Tradeship Publications Ltd.
The Global White Cement Report is published by
Managing Editor
Editor
Tradeship Publications Ltd
Technical Editor
David Hargreaves
Chris Blasdale
Dr Michael Clark
Old Kings Head Court, 15 High Street, Dorking,

Surrey, RH4 1AR, UK
Production Editor
Tel. +44 (0) 1306 740363
Design
Muriel Bal
Storm Creative Partnership
Fax +44 (0) 1306 740660

E-mail: info@CemNet.co.uk
Advertising
Website: www.CemNet.com
Subscriptions
Gary Morton
Susan Hargreaves

2003
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Contents
Introduction
Executive summary
World production base
13
The global white cement production base has a capacity of

17.5Mta and an annual output of 12Mt. This chapter identifies key
producing countries and provides their output and capacity figures.
World producers
39
A third of global production is manufactured by five producers. The

report focuses on the Big Five and also outlines other important
players.
World consumption
49
Although world demand is less than one per cent of per capita grey
cement consumption, white cement is a key niche market. Sales are
particularly strong in Europe and China.
Marketing & promotion
61
A key constituent in a wide range of applications, white cement is

marketed and promoted with increasing effectiveness.
Trading
65
A quarter of white cement is traded across the globe. This chapter

investigates the reasons for high trading volume and also looks at
competition and pricing trends.
Global industry outlook
69
The outlook for the international white cement industry is generally

positive as the world looks forward to increasing demand.
White cement technology
71
Dr Michael Clark outlines the specific technological requirements in

the various stages of white cement production.
Appendices
87
Appendix I Production base by region and country.

Appendix II Consumption by region and country.

2003
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Introduction
his is the first report produced by International Cement

Review (ICR) on white cement, a sector which has
previously been relatively undocumented, apart from a
few articles and conference papers. Why, though, the interest

in the white cement sector which is generally regarded as a
niche market only, and where worldwide production at 12Mt
is less than total cement consumption in a country of the size
of the UK? The answer possibly lies in the fact that usage of
white cement is at the forefront of the visual representation of
concrete in the built world, and as such is important to the
cement and concrete sectors in terms of promoting all of its
products and applications. Additionally, there are interesting
comparisons to be drawn of the white cement sector compared

to grey cement, which is 150 times larger in volume terms, in
relation to consumption patterns and company participation.
This report looks at many of the key points of interest
within the white cement sector including:
I
a review of world production
analysis of global, regional and national consumption levels
the patterns of trade, including major markets and suppliers
corporate analysis of major companies within the sector
detailing of white cement applications, and marketing and

promotional challenges
technical considerations in terms of production
an outlook on future trends within the sector
The report does not include assessments of the availability

and relative scarcity of suitable limestone reserves for white
cement production globally. Additionally, it has not been
possible to compare all existing production units in terms of
quality and whiteness of product. It should also be stated that
while some companies and industry associations were willing to
divulge basic market information, many others were not
prepared to do so. Therefore some of the data contained within
the report is produced from as informed as possible estimates.
Chris Blasdale

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Executive summary
The global white cement industry is a small segment of the overall cementitious sector. With
estimated output in 2002 of around 12Mt it represents by volume less than one per cent of
the worldwide grey cement sector. Nevertheless, for the cement/concrete participants in the
construction materials sector, white cement represents one of the most effective visible means
of promoting their product in applications against competing materials. While considered
purely a niche market by many, for the companies involved in white cement manufacture, its
importance can range from being the sole or major business activity of that company (eg
Federal White Cement of Canada) through to being merely an interesting adjunct to
mainstream activities (Lafarge is a top-5 player in white cement, but this activity is estimated
to represent directly less than one per cent of its total turnover).
he white cement industry is experiencing
considerable change. The overall market has
compared to 2002. For this to occur then, existing

high consuming regions will need to more than
growth rate ahead of grey cement. This has resulted
grown by five to six per cent since 1994, a
sustain current levels of demand, and lower

consuming regions will need to grow significantly.
in major capacity additions in a relative sense. These
The drivers of demand for white cement are not
additions have generally been founded on highly
necessarily of similar weighting as for grey cement. It
efficient plants targeting both domestic and
is less of a commodity product, and therefore
significant export sales. A profile of the industry
demand could be advanced by positive perceptions
would be one of an increasingly global nature, with
in terms of fashion/aesthetics and effective
over 3Mt being traded internationally. In terms of
promotion of its applications.
the major players, both Aalborg White and imsa, to

whom white cement represents a major part of their
Headline comments from the report are as

follows:
overall business, have been at the forefront of this

globalism, extending their influence in certain
Production base
regions. Overall the industry has become more
I Total global production of white cement in 2002 is
competitive, and this has resulted in recent years
estimated at just below 12Mt with indicated capacity
with lower prices in many markets. An apparent
levels of 17.5Mt.
anomaly remains, however, in that in some
I Europe is both the largest producer (28 per cent of
countries, prices have remained high and supply has
global output) and has the highest capacity
continued to take place from relatively high cost
utilisation of all the regions.
domestic producers. Across the world this can be put
I China is already responsible for an estimated 23
down to a variety of factors, including potentially
per cent of global white cement output, although
high handling and distribution costs for importers,
definitions of what represents white cement differ.
the desire of many consumers of white cement for
I The Mediterranean Basin (from North Africa
consistency of product, and control of existing
around to Greece) is responsible for an estimated 14
producers over channels of distribution. This
per cent of global output and the relative importance
situation becomes more understandable given that
of this region is set to grow.
this report has only identified 76 white cement
I The Middle East has more than doubled its white
plants globally in 45 different countries (excluding
cement capacity (currently around 2.1Mta) in the
China).
last 10 years.
If growth in demand for white cement continues
I Asia, excluding China, is responsible for just over
at its current rate for the next 10 years, then a
10 per cent of global output, and has mixed
further 7.5 to 9.5Mt will be consumed in 2011
prospects.
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I Latin America, with the exception of Mexico,
proportions. The white cement market in China is
forms a relatively insignificant part of the global
estimated to be around 2.6Mt, with a per capita
white cement production base.
consumption of 2kg annually.
I In North America, the US production base remains
I The rest of Asia is estimated to have consumed
old, and only represents 25 per cent of domestic
around 1.23Mt in 2002. The average per capita
demand.
consumption over the region is considerably lower
I The top-5 producing nations are: China, Spain,
than China at 0.8kg annually.
Turkey, Mexico and Denmark markedly different
I Latin America consumes around seven per cent of
from grey cement.
global cement output, with Mexico as the leading
I The top-10 producers are responsible for 49 per
nation.
cent of global white cement output from 45 per cent
I Estimated consumption in North America in 2002
of global capacity. Excluding China, these shares
was around 1.3Mt, 11 per cent of global demand.
would respectively be 64 per cent and 60 per cent.
Per capita consumption in the region is 4.1kg
I The top-5 global grey cement players are all in the
annually, just over double the global average.
top-10 of white producers.
I The five largest white cement consuming nations
I Major capacity additions between 1995 and 2003
are China, Spain, USA, France and India.
are estimated at 3.5Mt, excluding China.
Leading producers
Consumption
I The top-5 producers are estimated to be Cemex,
I Consumption of white cement in 2002 is
Aalborg White, Lafarge, Italcementi and imsa.
estimated to be 12Mt and 9.4Mt excluding China.
I Cemex with an estimated 11 per cent global
This represents an average per capita usage of only
market share in 2002 has benefited from strong
1.9kg, and is less than one per cent (0.7 per cent) of
market positions and demand conditions in Spain,
grey cement production worldwide.
Mexico and USA. Its market leadership is set to
I Europe is estimated to be the largest white cement
come under challenge.
consuming region representing 27 per cent of the
I Aalborg White with a seven per cent market share
global market considerable disparities on a per
is currently No 2, but with recent additions has
capita basis exist across the region.
higher capacity than Cemex. White cement
I The Mediterranean Basin is characterised by high
represents one of two core activities for its parent,
consumption levels of white cement. The region is
FLS Industries, and global market leadership is an
responsible for nearly 12 per cent of global output
expressed objective.
and per capita consumption is estimated at 6kg
I Lafarge with a five per cent market share is
annually in 2002, and 1.3 per cent of grey cement
currently trying to embrace the increased globalism
consumption.
of the white cement market; as the worlds largest
I The Middle East is estimated to be responsible for
cement company they should not be under-
just over 10 per cent of global white cement
estimated in terms of future initiatives.
demand. Of all of the regions, it has the highest per
I Italcementi is currently a European player only in
capita usage of 7.3kg annually, with the Gulf states
white cement it accounts for five per cent of the
in particular showing a high intensity of usage.
global market. Like some other companies, they
I Africa, excluding Mediterranean North African
appear to have heightened interest in white cement,
countries, is a very low consumer of white cement,
as evidenced by a recent small white cement
representing only just over one per cent of the global
investment in Bulgaria.
market.
I imsa also has a similar market share (around five
I China, the largest single market globally is
per cent), but its profile is very different. With over
responsible for 68 per cent of Asian white cement
1Mta capacity at one location, it has been a major
consumption, fairly in line with grey cement
influence on recent competitive changes in the
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sector. It too has declared aspirations to be No 1,
to six per cent annually continues for the next 10
although whether this is possible from one
years, then demand in 2012 will be between 19.5 to
production location is questionable.
21.5Mta an increase of 7.5 to 9.5Mt above
I Other leading white cement companies include
existing levels.
Holcim, which has recently centralised its white
I Should that be the case, then capacity additions of
cement activities and has just announced sizeable
the order of 7-10Mta would be required, expected
investments in Romania and is now even looking to
mainly at existing production facilities, with any new
extend its influence beyond Europe. Finally,
production facilities where they do occur, most likely
HeidelbergCement, another significant force,
to be in Asia, North Africa, Middle East and Latin
although its white cement strategy is more
America.
ambivalent at present.
I The proportion of white cement traded is likely to

rise further given the above scenario. A further boost
Trading
to this view would be given by increased
I In excess of 3Mt of white cement was traded
concentration of ownership by the existing larger
outside of the country where it was produced in
producers.
2002. This represents over 25 per cent (32 per cent
I The previously low level of corporate activity in
excluding China) of the global white cement. As a
terms of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) or
comparison, grey cement traded globally is around
marketing agreements within white cement is
seven per cent of the overall market.
expected to increase.
I Leading trading companies, in order are Aalborg

White, Cemex, imsa, RAK White,
HeidelbergCement and Federal.
I Main import markets are USA, Spain, Germany,
Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Israel and UK.
I Increased trading levels and the number of
meaningful suppliers has led to increased
competition. This has impacted on prices since 2000
in particular. Achieved prices in export markets have
halved in some cases, although this has to be
examined on a specific market basis.
Marketing
I White cement is used in many external and visual
applications of concrete and mortars, etc the
challenge is for the industry to increase usage in a
range of current and new applications.
I Improved promotion of white cement is underway,
with Aalborg White and Holcim White two of the
noticeable companies. More needs to be done
particularly in currently low/medium consuming
countries and other countries where there is not a
local producer. Global industry initiatives whilst
desirable are probably not practical.
Outlook
I If the recent growth of demand estimated at five
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Total global production of white cement in 2002 is estimated to be just below 12Mt with
indicated capacity levels of 17.5Mt. For the purposes of these estimates, product is deemed
white cement if that is how it is described in the specific market where it is produced. For
instance, off-white cement is described as such in Australia and therefore is not included,
whereas considerable tonnages of perhaps questionable material from China are included. In
research carried out it became clear that it would be untenable to create a cut-off point (eg
whiteness) that could be applied across the global sector.
he research has identified 76 white cement
relatively high cost structures. In Western Europe,
plants globally excluding China. These plants
most of the capital investment recently has been in
are located in 45 different countries, and are
terms of efficiencies, environmental improvements
responsible for an estimated output of 9.3Mt in
and small-scale capacity improvements. Aalborg
2002 from a capacity exceeding 13Mt. In China,
White is the exception where a 200,000tpa capacity
output of 1.5Mt of white cement is estimated from
increase has been carried out in 2003. In Eastern
40 identified plants and a further 70 small
Europe, the challenge appears to be to improve
unspecified plants. An additional 1.2Mt output of
production facilities and build up regional output
white cement from unlicensed plants is also
that is low. Italcementi commenced production of
estimated in China.
white cement at its Devnya plant in Bulgaria in late
Global production of just below 12Mt represents

an average per capita usage of only 1.9kg, and is
2002.
China is discussed in detail in the specific country
less than one per cent (0.7 per cent) of grey cement
section. While the quality of a good portion of its
production worldwide.
white cement output appears questionable, Chinas
Regional analysis of the production base is
role in the global white cement sector is very likely
shown in Table 1 Estimated white cement
to increase in the future given better export
production by region, 2002.
prospects and a generally low cost base. China is
Europe is both the largest producer (28 per cent

of global output) and has the highest capacity
utilisation of all the regions. It has a long established
production base, which generally would indicate
already responsible for an estimated 23 per cent of

global white cement output.
The Mediterranean Basin (from North Africa
around to Greece) is responsible for an estimated 14
Table 1 Estimated white cement production by region, 2002

Region
Capacity
(000tpa)
Europe
Asia China only
Mediterranean Basin
Middle East
Asia excluding China
Latin America
North America
4150
4150
2625
2190
2180
1360
800
Output
(000tpa)
3400
2700
1680
1290
1290
1050
585
Capacity
utilisation (%)
82
65
64
59
59
77
73
Plants
21
>100*
11
10
15
15
4
* Total number unknown
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2003
3
2
100
3
3
4
2
2
4 10
7
2
2
Figure 1 The global white cement production base

per cent of global output. With nearly 1Mta capacity
The Middle-East has more than doubled its
added recently (imsas second line and Aalborgs
white cement capacity (currently around 2.1Mta) in
Sinai White) there is clear scope (and strategic
the last 10 years. With high consuming local
expectation by some companies) that the importance
markets, and a low cost production base in Iran and
of this region will grow in terms of the global white
UAE in particular, the relative performance of this
cement industry.
region in output terms also looks set to grow.
Table 2 Estimated top-10 white cement producing countries

Region
Capacity
(000tpa)
China
Spain
Turkey
Mexico
Denmark
Iran
France
India
Italy
Egypt
4150
1490
1250
645
820
930
530
700
530
720
Output
(000tpa)
2700
1250
690
615
575
560
500
470
450
430
Capacity
utilisation (%)
65
84
55
95
70
60
94
67
85
60
Plants
>100
6
3
5
1
5
2
2
4
3
* Total unknown but indicators suggest over 100 factories have the capability to produce some form of white
cement
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Table 3 Estimated top-10 white cement producers, 2002

Company
Capacity
(000tpa)
Cemex*
Aalborg White* **
Lafarge
Italcementi
imsa/Sabanci
HeidelbergCement*
RAK White
Federal
Holcim
Grasim
Output
(000tpa)
1470
1530
750
740
1100
500
450
500
495
400
1330
880
625
590
580
465
380
300
290
280
* Lehigh White allocated according to equity
Capacity
Share in global Plants
utilisation (%) output (%)
90
58
83
80
53
93
84
60
59
70
11
7
5
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
8
3
6
5
1
4
1
1
5
1
** Includes 2003 capacity addition
Asia, excluding China, is responsible for just over
cement producing countries) are responsible for
10 per cent of global output. While output prospects
nearly 70 per cent of global output. For specific
for India and to a lesser extent Southeast Asia
country comments, see below.
appear good, the more developed economies of
It should be noted that white cement is traded
Japan, Korea and Taiwan are likely to decline further
much more extensively in proportional terms than
in importance.
grey cement, mainly because of its higher value per
Latin America, with the exception of Mexico and
tonne and the fact that it is only produced in 46
Colombia, forms a relatively insignificant part of the
countries globally. This explains why Denmark, a
global white cement production base.
small producer of grey cement, should figure in the
In North America, while Federal in Canada has
top-5 producers. Aalborg White, from its Danish
invested in new capacity, the US production base
facility, for example, exports around 90 per cent of
remains old, and only represents 25 per cent of
its production.
domestic demand. This is a much more extreme

version of what occurred in the US grey cement
Drawing comparisons to top grey cement

producing nations, notable exclusions from the top-
sector. Investment in new capacity in

the future can certainly not be assumed
Figure 2 Share of top-10 white cement

producers in global output, 2002
however.
In all regions, the growing presence
and interest of cement majors in white
cement, plus companies such as imsa
and Aalborg, to whom white cement is
a major part of their business, could be
expected to lead to further interregional trading, and global rather than
regional white cement production and
sourcing strategies.
The top-10 producing countries
(see Table 2 Estimated top-10 white
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10 are USA, Japan, Korea and Brazil. Spain, Iran
White cement production in Iran
and Turkey (as well as Denmark) all have

advanced white cement producing rankings
compared to grey cement.
Table 3 Estimated top-10 white cement
producers, 2002 shows an overview of key
companies in the global white cement industry.
Specific individual comment on the major players
is made below.
Collectively, the top-10 players are estimated
to be responsible for 48 per cent of global white
cement output from 45 per cent of global
capacity. Excluding China, these shares would
respectively be 62 per cent and 60 per cent.
The top-5 global grey cement players are all
in the top-10 of white producers with Cemex
holding a heightened position compared to grey
cement, and Holcim and arguably, Lafarge an
underweight position. It is worth emphasising
though that overall white cement production is
less than one per cent of grey production, and
therefore to the majors is unlikely ever to be more
than a niche market, albeit a potentially profitable
a niche part of their business. In cement terms, their
one and of disproportional importance in terms of
white activities are likely to represent more than 50
promoting overall cement and concrete usage.
per cent of their overall business in turnover. Both
To Aalborg White and imsa, both grey

producers as well, white cement is much more than
companies (like Cemex) have an objective to be

market leader in white cement globally.
Table 4 The 10 largest white cement production locations by estimated output,

2002
Country
Plant
Company
Ownership
(000tpa) (000tpa)
Turkey
Denmark
Spain
UAE
Canada
Italy
India
Spain
Mersin
Rrdal*
San Vicente
RAK
Woodstock
Rezzato
Rajashree Nagar
El Alto
France
Spain
Le Teil
Buol
* Includes 2003 capacity addition
16
imsa
Aalborg
Valenciana
RAK White
Federal White
Italcementi
Grasim White
Cementos
Portland
Lafarge
Valenciana
Process Capacity Output
Sabanci
Aalborg
Cemex
Independent
Independent
Italcementi
Grasim
Independent
Dry
1100
Wet
820
Dry
454
Dry
450
Dry
500
Semi-dry 250
Dry
400
Wet
280
580
575
380
380
300
285
280
276
Lafarge
Cemex
Dry
Dry
270
250
280
310

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Table 5 White cement capacity additions, 1995-2003

Year
Country
Plant
Company
Ownership
Add cap
(000tpa)
19952002
1996
1997
1997
1999
2000
2001
2001
2001
2002
2002
2002
2002
2002
2003
TOTAL
Iran
Saveh
Saveh
Independent
350
India
UAE
Iran
Turkey
Iran
Brazil
Canada
Egypt
Saudi Arabia
Kuwait
Iran
Bulgaria
Malaysia
Denmark
Rajashree Nagar
RAK
Neyriz
Mersin
Uremieh
Pedro Leopoldo
Woodstock
Sinai
Al-Muzahimiyah
Shuaiba
Benvid
Devnya
Perak
Rrdal
Grasim White
RAK White
Neyriz
imsa
Uremieh
Camargo Correa
Federal White
Sinai White
Saudi White
Kuwait Cement
Benvid
Grasim
Independent
Independent
Sabanci
Independent
Independent
Independent
Aalborg
Independent
Independent
Independent
Italcementi
Aalborg
Aalborg
Federal, and perhaps arguably, RAK White, are
RCI
Aalborg
250
280
150
500
180
110
300
410
210
100
180
50
200
230
3500
Historically during the development of the white
not directly involved in grey cement, and are
cement sector, some wet grey kilns were converted
committed to white cement as their main business
to white production as the margins were generally
activity. This may mean that over the long-term they
higher and allowed the usage of what was inefficient
may suffer a competitive disadvantage in terms of
capacity. From the late-1980s to the early-1990s this
lacking synergistic value addition related to logistics,
ceased to be the case. Capacity added since then has
marketing and overheads, although benefits of focus
been predominantly efficient dry-process, using
may compensate.
alternative fuels wherever possible, and seeking to
The other top-10 producer, Grasim, has recently
minimise the high milling costs of white cement
become the market leader in grey cement in India
production. The individual capacities of dry white
and will benefit from the synergistic benefits noted
kilns introduced in the last 15 years have been
above albeit primarily in India only.
generally a quantum step higher than existing
Another contrast is that the top-5 cement majors

all have a number of production locations ranging
between four and eight (including grinding stations),
capacity. Kiln capacities added have mainly been in

the range of 150,000-500,000tpa.
Capacity additions between 1995 and 2003 are
whereas imsa, Federal, RAK White are all single
estimated at 3.5Mta, excluding China (see also Table
unit white cement companies.
5 White cement capacity additions, 1995-2003).
The top-10 plants are responsible for some 39
Moreover, further small-scale upgrades, plant
per cent of global white cement output (excluding
optimisations and other capacity enhancing activities
China) from 36 per cent of capacity (see Table 4
will have taken place in the period. Nearly 1.8Mta
The 10 largest white cement production locations by
capacity is estimated to have been added since
estimated output, 2002). Individual plants are
2001, quite a dramatic increase compared to the
discussed in the section below.
previous periods.
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Of these six plants, only Cemex, Vilanova and

Tudela Veguin are dedicated white cement facilities.
Sustained growth has been experienced in the last
decade with production almost doubling from
640,000t in 1992-93. At current production levels,
capacity utilisation rates are now around 90 per cent.
This increase in production is due both to growth in
INDIVIDUAL PLANT
REVIEW BY COUNTRY
the internal market (see consumption section) as well
EUROPE
in exports.
Exports have grown from around 120,000t in
1993 (18 per cent of total white production) to
Europe has a long established white cement
390,000t in 2002 (31 per cent of total white
production base and has the highest capacity
production). Clinker exports only represented about
utilisation of all the regions, ie 82 per cent. It
two per cent of this total in 2002, although in the
accounts for 28 per cent of global output, mostly
mid-1990s they were a more significant part of the
concentrated in Western Europe. It is in this part of
total (1995 around 100,000t of white clinker was
Europe that capital investment has been focused on
exported). The major areas that white cement was
environmental improvements, efficiency and small-
exported to were North Africa (165,000t mainly to
scale capacity improvements. Key producing nations
Algeria:109,000t and Morocco:40,000t), North
are Spain, Denmark, Italy and France.
America (132,000t), Europe (65,000t mainly

UK:30,000t and Turkey:21,000t) and Israel
Spain
(25,000t). In 2002, imports rose to 215,000t, with
Spain is the second largest white cement producing
the main sources being Turkey (145,000t) and
nation after China. In 2002, it produced 1.25Mt
Greece (39,000t).
across six plants (see Table 6 White cement
Cemex is the leading producer of white cement
factories in Spain).
in Spain with estimated production in 2002 of
Figure 3 White cement plants in Europe
2
2
18

2003
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Quarterly
2003
Table 6 White cement factories in Spain, 2002

Company
Factory
Production capacity (tpa)

Clinker
Cement
Cementos Portland, SA El Alto Morata de Tajua (Madrid) 280,000
280,000
Cemex Espaa, SA
Buol (Valencia)
247,500
310,000
San Vicente del Raspeig (Alicante)
363,000
453,750
Vilanova i la Geltr (Barcelona)
75,000
100,000
Lafarge Asland, SA
Sagunto (Valencia)
125,000
100,000
SA Tudela Veguin
Tudela Veguin (Princip of Asturias)
125,000
200,000
1,215,500
1,343,750
TOTAL PRODUCTION CAPACITY
Source: Oficemen
around 750,000t from its three plants (all dry-
Nazare, on the west coast. A semi-dry-process plant
process) located near Barcelona, Alicante and
with a Lepol kiln, it has a clinker capacity of
Valencia. Cemex through the Valenciana group from
80,000tpa and cement capacity of 110,000tpa. In
1992 has strongly expanded both domestic and
2002, production was 98,000t with nearly all sales
export sales of white cement.
made on the domestic market. With domestic
Cementos Portland at its El Alto plant near
demand increasing, white clinker production may
Madrid is the second largest player, producing
well be increased after 2004. Two products are made
around 275,000t of white cement in 2002, very
by Secil, a BR I 42.5 and a BR II 32.5.
close to capacity. Virtually all the sales from this
Imports of white cement into Portugal were just
inland plant are supplied to the domestic market.
under 10,000t in 2002, sourced from Spain and
The Tudela Veguin plant in northern Spain, in the
Turkey.
principality of Asturias, by contrast is able to ship

white cement from two loading facilities at the port
France
of Gijon. Annual sales are estimated at around
There are two white cement plants in France located
130,000t.
very close to each other in the south-east between
The final white cement plant in Spain is Lafarges
Lyon and Avignon, and in good proximity to the
Sagunto plant near Valencia with sales in 2002
Rhone river. The plants are Cruas, owned by Ciments
approaching 100,000t. Sagunto, located 5km from
Calcia (part of Italcementi /Ciments Franais) and Le
Valencia port, has white clinker capacity of
Teil, owned by Lafarge.
135,000tpa and cement capacity of 150,000tpa. A
Cruas, which became a dedicated dry-process
small plant, Cementos Rezola, a Ciment Franais
white cement plant in 1981, after grey production
subsidiary was closed in the 1990s.
was discontinued, had cement sales of just under
In terms of production by cement type, cement
230,000t in 2002, and is operating close to capacity.
of types BL II (42.5R and 52.5N) represent over 70
Cruas produces a high quality and pure white
per cent of the production in 2002. Cements of type
cement, with reflectivity of 93 per cent (top end of
BL I are the second most important (24 per cent of
the scale). Quality and consistency are viewed as the
production) and the masonry cements BL 22,5X
major determinant of continuing competitive
represent about five per cent of production.
advantage at this location.
Portugal
expected to have a cement capacity of 420,000tpa,
Secil is the only white cement producer in Portugal
plus the ability to supply clinker to the Tavernola
from its Pataias Gare plant, located 15km from
grinding station owned by Lafarge in Italy. Estimated
Le Teil, after further optimisation in 2003, is
19
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2003

2003
2002 sales directly from Le Teil are estimated at
smaller amounts to France and Africa. Exports
around 270,000t.
represent as much as 70 per cent of total sales.
Both plants cement production is sold
Located near the French border, Harmignies offers
predominantly in France itself, with total production
four products CEM I 42.5 and 52.5, CEM II 42.5,
in 2002 of 500,000t. Imports to France of white
and a waterproof CEM I 42.5. Mean brightness of
cement are estimated at around 50,000t in 2002,
these products is in a range of 82-86 per cent.
and sourced from Denmark, Italy and Belgium.
Germany
Italy
White cement has been made at Dyckerhoffs
The major white cement producer in Italy is
Amoneburg plant near Wiesbaden since the early
Italcementi, with a semi-dry kiln and grinding at
1930s. White cement capacity and production is
Rezzato, near Brescia, and a grinding plant at
estimated at around 75,000t in 2002.
Citavecchia, a port some 70km northwest of Rome.
Germany is a net importer of white cement,
Rezzato has a white clinker capacity of 200,000tpa
originating predominantly in neighbouring Belgium
and cement capacity of 250,000tpa, and
and Denmark, with small amounts from Turkey.
Citavecchia, a white cement capacity of 100,000tpa.
Estimated levels of white cement imports are around
Estimated total white cement production in 2002
200,000t, significantly more than the official statistics
was 285,000t, of which nearly 90 per cent was sold
suggest.
in the domestic market. Italcementi produces three

different white cement products a type I
Denmark
(Italbianco), and two composite type II cements
Aalborg Whites facility at Aalborg has the second
Roccabianco, with a 80-94 per cent white clinker
largest white cement capacity of all global white
constituent and Aquila Bianca, with a 65-79 per cent
cement locations. The company is part of Aalborg
white clinker constituent).
Portland, which in turn is 100 per cent owned by
Colacem produces white cement at its Ghigiano
FLS Industries. In 2002, the decision was taken to
plant in Umbria. Estimated production in 2002 was
increase white cement capacity at this site from
90,000t, across both type I and type II white cement
620,000tpa to 850,000tpa by converting another
categories. Lafarges Tavernola grinding plant
semi-wet kiln from grey to white cement
produced around 75,000t in 2002. It is located in the
manufacture. This kiln conversion at the cost of
north Italian Alps and fed with clinker from Le Teil in
DKK200m is expected to be operational before the
France.
end of 2003 and will mean that five kilns dedicated
Total white cement production in 2002 is

estimated at 450,000t in Italy. Imports are relatively
small about 25,000t in 2002, predominantly from
Turkey, Spain and Denmark.
to white will produce at this site. Aalborg is located

on its own deepwater harbour on the River Limfjord.
Long established as the worlds largest exporter
of white cement, Aalborg claims to export to over 70
countries. Since Aalborg White developed new
Belgium
production facilities in Egypt and Malaysia, there is
CBRs Harmignies plant, owned by Heidelberg, is the
likely to have been a refocusing on export markets
only white cement plant in the Benelux countries.
supplied from Denmark. It is estimated that around
Harmignies is a wet-process plant, operational since
575,000t of white cement was produced at Aalborg
1961. Its estimated white cement capacity is around
in 2002, with over 500,000t exported. Main export
200,000tpa, although actual production in 2002 is
markets are USA around 130,000t (Aalborg white is
estimated slightly higher at 235,000t. Historically,
a minority shareholder in Lehigh White 24.5 per
this plant has been a major exporter to mainly
cent), UK (around 80,000t), Germany (around
Germany and USA (Lehigh White, in which
50,000t) and most other European countries. Further
HeidelbergCement is the major shareholder), plus
afield Aalborg has also been a significant exporter to
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2003

2003
Africa, parts of South America and the Caribbean,
around 40,000tpa although a number of years ago
and the Middle East. In total around 80 per cent of
the feasibility of a major upgrade was looked at. A
Aalborgs sales are in bulk. Aalborg product is CEM I
recent reference was made to production levels
52.5N only, and meets local standards in all of the
approaching 200,000tpa, but this has not been
markets that it supplies.
substantiated.
Slovakia
Others
Holcims plant at Rohoznik, near Bratislava, is part of
For the purposes of this report both Turkey and
its network of Central and Eastern European white
Greece will be looked at in the Mediterranean
cement locations. It has a clinker capacity of
section.
150,000tpa, and cement capacity of 160,000tpa. In
Of the countries in Europe that do not have any
2002, Rohoznik produced around 120,000t of white
white cement production units, the UK is the most
cement, of which less than 10,000t was consumed in
notable. Production in this country ceased in the
the domestic market. Around 110,000t was exported
1980s with the closure of Blue Circles Swanscombe
within the region.
works. Another plant to cease white cement

production in 1997 was Istra Cement, owned by
Romania
Heidelberg, in Croatia.
The Turda cement plant in Romania is now the

countrys only white cement production facility.
Acquired by Holcim in 1997, this dry-process plant
has a white cement capacity of 100,000tpa. It is
estimated that 2002 production was around 60,000t.
Turda produces only a composite white cement
Type II A42.5b with a maximum limestone
constituent of 15 per cent. It is understood that the
INDIVIDUAL
Comarnic works no longer produces white cement.
PLANT REVIEW BY COUNTRY
MEDITERRANEAN
Late-2003, Holcim announced a 30m investment

programme for its Romanian white operations.
Poland
The Mediterranean is the area from North Africa
Holcim also owns Wejherowo cement in Poland. This
around the Mediterranean Sea to Greece. In terms of
small wet-process white cement plant has a cement
output it accounts for 14 per cent of the world total.
capacity of around 40,000tpa. However in 2003 the

plant reportedly produced no white cement.
Greece
There are two white cement producing locations in
Bulgaria
Greece Titans Elefsis plant and Lafarges Volos
The Italcementi owned Devnya Cement, located
plant. Neither of these are dedicated white cement
close to the Black Sea port of Varna, commenced
plants. Elefsis plant has a white cement capacity of
production of white cement in late 2002. The
130,000tpa and in 2002, it is estimated that around
company reports that there will be an annual
110,000t were produced. Volos plant which came
capacity of 50,000t of white cement.
into Lafarge ownership when it acquired Blue Circle

in 2001, has white clinker capacity of 115,000tpa,
Russia
and white cement capacity of 90,000tpa. Estimations
Holcim lists Shcurovsky cement (part of Alfa group)
show a 60,000t production in 2002.
as an associate company. This plant is still believed to

be wet-process with a white cement capacity of
22
Exports from Greece are in the order of

80,000tpa, with major markets being Algeria, Israel

2003
ICR
Quarterly
2003
Figure 4 White cement plants in the Mediterranean
2
2
and Morocco. Imports are under 10,000t, and

mainly from Turkey.
white clinker is exported (approaching 50,000t).

imsas works is located only 7km from Mersin
port, which has deepwater facilities that can handle
Turkey
up to 40,000t ships. The low cost structure of the
The largest white cement production facility in terms
Mersin works (particularly when compared to much
of potential capacity in the world is imsas Mersin
of the older and high cost white cement capacity
plant. imsa is 90 per cent owned by Sabanci Group.
elsewhere) has given imsa scope to market white
White cement production was first established at
cement aggressively in export markets, with a
Mersin in 1990, utilising a new second production
declared objective of becoming the worlds leading
line designed to be interchangeable between grey
white cement producer and exporter. Main export
and white. This Plant IIs capacity is 1500tpd white
markets in 2002 included Spain (around 140,000t),
clinker or 2200tpd grey clinker. After sales of white
Israel (over 50,000t), Syria (around 40,000t), USA
cement grew strongly throughout the mid-1990s,
(around 25,000t) and Canada, and North Africa.
both in terms of domestic and export sales, a further
Further penetration of export markets is expected in
line was added at the end of 1999. This Plant III is
2003. Imports to Turkey are mainly from Spain (just
dedicated to white cement production, and fully
over 20,000t in 2002). This was regarded as a
automated. White clinker capacity is 500,000tpa.
retaliatory market response by Cemex, Spain to
imsa uses Plant III for the majority of white cement
imsa establishing white cement import operations
production, augmented by Plant II. The cost of the
in Spain.
new line was reported to be US$62m and was
imsa has also established itself as the leading
supplied by FLSmidth. Total white clinker capacity at
producer within the Turkish market where it has a
Mersin would be 1Mta and white cement capacity
competitive advantage compared to the other
1.1Mta, assuming full utilisation of both lines. It is
producers in terms of both cost and quality. The
estimated that 2002 white cement production was
whiteness of imsa white cement is claimed to be a
around 580,000t, with domestic sales of 180,000t
minimum of 85 per cent, ahead of other Turkish
and export sales of 400,000t. Additionally, some
producers.
23
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Quarterly
2003

2003
The largest of the other Turkish producers is Set
70,000tpa capacity plant had been producing close
owned by Italcementi) at Trakya Cimento, close to
to 50,000tpa. The main export destination for
Istanbul. This is a wet-process plant with 90,000tpa
Lebanese white cement is Syria. Around 30,000t was
capacity and estimated sales in 2002 of around 70,000t.
exported in 2002.
Adana Cimento, with claimed whiteness of product

between 80-84, is a dry-process plant with white
Egypt
cement capacity of 60,000tpa, and estimated 2002
There are three white cement production locations in
production of 40,000t. Baticim, at its Batisoke plant, has
Egypt. The largest and most recent one is Sinai
produced white cement in the past, but in relatively
White Cement, which only went into production at
small quantities. Total Turkish white cement production
the end of 2001. The 410,000tpa plant has been
in 2002 is estimated as approaching 700,000t.
built adjacent to the Sinai Cement grey plant. The

project began in 1999, with the main shareholders
Lebanon
being Aalborg White (38 per cent), Danish
The only remaining white cement producer in
Industrialisation Fund (11 per cent), Sinai Cement
Lebanon is Socit des Ciments Blancs (in which
(20 per cent) and ASEC (10 per cent). For Aalborg
Holcim has a controlling interest via its holding in
White the investment gave the opportunity to build
Socit des Ciments Libanais). It has an estimated
new capacity in the Middle-East to complement its
cement capacity of 150,000tpa, and in 2002 it
existing major production base in Denmark, and also
produced around 80,000t. The plant is located at
to improve its competitive position, in Middle-East
Chekka, north of Beirut.
markets, that had deteriorated in recent years. In
The other white cement plant in Lebanon,
March 2002, Aalborg White acquired a further seven
Cimentire du Moyen ceased production of white in
per cent of shares in Sinai White, giving them, in
2000 when it was converted by Seament, the
conjunction with the Danish Industrialisation Fund,
majority owners, to grey cement production. This
majority ownership.
Total project cost was reported as being around
Sinai White Cement, Egypt
US$75m. ASEC was given full turnkey responsibility

for the project, with FLSmidth acting as engineers
and main equipment supplier. Exports began in mid2002 from El Arish port on the Mediterranean after a
considerable investment in logistics. In addition, it
has been reported that by the end of 2002, Sinai
White had also secured a 40-45 per cent market
share of the domestic Egyptian market. Total 2002
sales by Sinai White are estimated as approaching
200,000t, and likely to continue increasing steadily in
2003. Exports are also anticipated in the future into
the Red Sea and beyond possibly through Port Suez,
to Eastern Africa, and the Middle-East including the
Gulf, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and possibly also the
west coast of India.
The other two production locations are owned
by ASEC Helwan. El Menya in Upper Egypt is a dryprocess white cement plant, commissioned in 1990,
with a capacity of 220,000tpa. Additionally, there are
two small wet lines at the Cairo works with a
combined white cement capacity of 90,000tpa. It
24

2003
ICR
Quarterly
2003
had been anticipated that these two lines, dating
clinker from Lafarges Volos plant in Greece.
back to the early 1960s, would be likely to close
Estimated 2002 white cement production is 60,000t.
with the onset of Sinai White. Total ASEC Helwan
Additionally, imports are around 70,000tpa from
production in 2002 is estimated around 230,000t.
Spain, Turkey, and Greece predominantly.
Including the Cairo works, total white cement

capacity in Egypt is 720,000tpa. A traditional export
Others
market has been Saudi Arabia (around 16,000t in
With the economic situation in Libya improving, and
2002) although exports will now grow substantially
inward investment looking likely to grow, there is a
due to Sinai. A small amount of imports in recent
strong likelihood that white cement capacity will
years have come from Turkey (around 5000tpa).
come on-stream around the middle of the decade.

There is a white cement plant included within
Tunisia
Feriana Tuniso-Algerian company (SOTACIB) is the
only white cement producer in Tunisia. In 2001, it
produced 248,000t of white cement and it is
estimated similar production levels were recorded in
2002. The company is a joint-venture between the
Tunisian and Algerian governments. While being
regarded as having poor access to port facilities it
is located 250km from the nearest ports exports to
INDIVIDUAL
MIDDLE EAST
Algeria and Libya in particular are around 80,000tpa.
Morocco
Lafarge Maroc has an 80,000tpa grinding plant for
planned projects this would be ca. 200,000tpa.
white cement at Bouskoura, south of Casablanca.
White cement capacity in the Middle East has more
Coastal-based, there may well be potential to supply
than doubled to 2.1Mta over the past decade. The
Figure 5 White cement plants in the Middle East
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2003

2003
Neyriz White Cement, Iran
relative output performance of the region is poised
cent. Neyriz is located in southeastern Iran, 240km
for growth. The key producing nation is Iran, which
from Shiraz.
accounts for around three-quarters of output capacity.
Uremieh Cement is only 50km from the Turkish

border in northeastern Iran. The plant, which cost
Iran
around US$70m, came on-stream in late 2000. With
Iran has built a substantial production base for white
estimated capacity of 180,000tpa, production levels
cement since the mid-1990s. Overall white cement
were reported to be 120,000t in 2001, and are
production capacity is estimated at over 900,000tpa.
estimated to have been 135,000t in 2002. Despite
Four of the five plants have gone into production
being 1200km from the nearest port, exports
since 1995, and the Iranian white cement industry is
represented around 30 per cent of 2001 output.
regarded as highly efficient and with a low cost base,
It was reported in early 2002, that another white
giving it the opportunity to be highly competitive in
cement plant at Benvid White Cement was due for
terms of exports within the region, and further
completion in mid-2002. It is located near to Esfahan
afield. Total production in 2002 is estimated as
and has a capacity of 500tpd. This would give an
approaching 600,000t.
annual capacity of around 180,000t.
Saveh Cement is the largest producer, with two
Prior to the rapid increase of white cement
500tpd white lines built by FCB in 1995 and 2002.
capacity in Iran, the only production facility was at
Saveh is 50 per cent owned by the Iranian
Shemal Cement, which came on-stream in 1980.
government with the remainder owned by other
This wet-process facility has capacity of around
public bodies. It has a claimed brightness of over 92
70,000tpa 2002 production was estimated to be
per cent for its white cement a high level of purity
60,000t, of lower grade pozzolanic white cement,
compared to most producers. The plant is located
only suitable for the domestic market.
160km south west of Tehran, and despite being

800km from ports, has established a strong export
Iraq
base. Capacity is around 350,000tpa and estimated
The Falluja II plant of the Iraqi Cement State
sales in 2002 were 230,000t.
Enterprise was established in 1978. It has a rated
Neyriz Cement that started operation in 1997
white cement capacity of 290,000tpa, although
has a white cement capacity of about 150,000tpa. In
production is estimated to have been no more than
2002, it is estimated to have produced just short of
around 20,000t in the late 1990s. It is believed that
100,000t of white cement, similar to 2000, and
the plant was not producing in the lead up to the
above 78,000t produced in 2001, when sales were
most recent Gulf War.
affected by the Indian anti-dumping actions. Overall

exports in 2002 were nearly 30,000t, mostly within
Saudi Arabia
the region. Main sponsors of Neyriz are Fars and
Saudi Arabia, although a large consumer of white
Khuzestan Cement as well as the Iranian Bank
cement, only developed its first white cement
Saderat. Whiteness levels are in excess of 91 per
production facility recently, when the Saudi White
26

2003
ICR
Quarterly
2003
Cement Company came on-stream in 2001. With a

700tpd white cement kiln located at AlMuzahimiyah, its cement production capacity is
around 210,000tpa. In 2002, it produced around
155,000t, nearly all of which was consumed on the
domestic market.
Traditionally, imports to Saudi Arabia have come
INDIVIDUAL
from Turkey, Denmark, and UAE. Imports in the
ASIA
period 1998-2002 averaged nearly 200,000tpa.
Kuwait
The Kuwait Cement Company started producing
Asian markets, excluding China, has a 10 per cent
white cement in 1979 and in 1999 converted
share in global output figures. Key producers are
another mill from grey to white grinding. Estimated
India and Thailand, but these are dwarfed when one
white cement capacity is now 190,000tpa and 2002
takes China into account with an estimated capacity
production is estimated at around 80,000t. Clinker is
of 2.6Mta.
imported.
Pakistan
Jordan
There are two existing white cement plants in
Arab Company For White Cements Khaldiya plant is
Pakistan, with a third expected to come on-stream in
located 50km east of Amman. It started production
2004. Existing capacity is around 85,000tpa, and
in 1985, and is a dry process 380tpd kiln. Estimated
2002 production was close to capacity at 81,000t.
cement capacity is around 115,000tpa, and
Anwarzaib White Cement came into production in
estimated production in 2002 was around 110,000t,
1989 with an Onoda manufactured 50,000tpa kiln.
with around 45,000t exported.
Cement capacity is also rated at 50,000tpa, and in

2002 production is estimated at 45,000t. The Bholari
United Arab Emirates
plant is situated in Sind-Hyderabad region. The other
The Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Company for White
existing producer is Maple Leaf Cement Companys
Cement started production in 1986 and upgraded to
wet process white cement plant at Iskanderabad
a cement capacity of 450,000tpa in the mid-1990s.
there are two small wet kilns dating back to 1967
RAK is one of the largest stand-alone white cement
and 1973 with a combined capacity of 30,000tpa.
companies. It is located near the port of Mina Saqr,
2002 production was 36,000t. Production from both
ideally placed close to the Straits of Hormuz at the
plants is consumed within the domestic market.
entrance to the Arabian Gulf.
Kohat Cement recently announced the intention
Estimated production in 2002 was close to 400,000t
to set up a white cement plant with a production
with exports representing some 75 per cent of the
capacity of 300tpd on the same site as its existing
total.
grey cement plant at Kohat-Rawalpindi. Expectation
RAK has over the years developed a strong

export base throughout the Middle-East, and further
is that the plant will go into commercial production

in mid-2004.
afield including USA, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent. In 2001, RAK had anti-dumping duty
India
imposed on it by the Indian Government, although it
The Indian white cement sector has two modern and
was lifted after three months. RAK has aggressively
efficient plants both located close to each other in
marketed white cement for export, and in some
Rajasthan, in northwestern India. Grasim, the largest
cases has replaced Aalborg White cement in certain
overall India cement producer, established white
markets.
cement activities, under the Birla White name in
27
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2003

2003
Figure 6 White cement plants in Asia
2
8
3
2
1988, in technological association with Onoda. Its
With the location of the two Rajasthan plants,
initial capacity was 80,000tpa, and a second line was
the western coastline of India from Mumbai
added with technology from Nihon Cement in 1986.
downwards has often been seen as a potential point
The company has an existing clinker capacity of
for imports. Imports in recent times have come from
380,000tpa and cement capacity of 400,000tpa. In
Iran and UAE, and in 2001 resulted in a temporary
2002, it produced around 280,000t, with just over
imposition of anti-dumping import tariffs. In effect,
10,000t exported, mainly to the Middle-East and
imports have to date not been hugely significant in
smaller amounts to Sri Lanka and other parts of Asia.
volume terms, although the changing competitive
The other main producer is JK White, also a grey
forces in white cement are likely to lead to major
cement producer. JK started in white cement in 1984
players such as Aalborg White looking to penetrate
with a 130,000tpa plant supplied by FLS. Its clinker
parts of the large Indian market.
production capacity is now reported to be

300,000tpa after a number of upgrades. In 2002, it
Bangladesh
produced around 185,000t, with 8000t exported.
There are reported to be two small white cement
Travancore Cement in Kerala is not believed to
plants in Bangladesh both owned by Nitol Group
still produce white cement. It has a 1950s small wet-
with a manufacturing capability of 60,000tpa the
process plant and used to produce around
second at Jessore was inaugurated in 2002. The
30,000tpa. Another plant Nihon Nirmaan near
independence and manufacturing extent of these
Jodhpur in Rajasthan commenced production in the
units has not been established. A 2002 press report
early 1990s but suffered major financial losses and
mentioned that Nitol was seeking to obtain white
went into BIFR (similar to US Chapter 11) in 1997.
clinker from Grasim in India, while in January 2003,
Despite revival packages being put forward, and
this was confirmed when it was announced that
interest shown in taking the plant over by Aalborg
Nitol would manufacture Birla White cement using
and other Indian producers nothing firm appears to
clinker and technical support from Grasim.
have materialised. This plant was not believed to be

producing in 2002.
28
Another reported initiative was Siam Cement

and Siambangla, a company within the Meghna

2003
ICR
Quarterly
2003
Group, signing a joint venture agreement to
of white cement in Thailand. Based near Saraburi at
produce white cement in Dhaka, according to the
Khao Wong, the company was established in 1971,
Daily Star of Bangladesh. This proposed 60,000tpa
and has a clinker production capacity of 156,000tpa,
would presumably be a grinding operation.
but only dedicated white cement capacity of
Production of white cement in 2002 is estimated
140,000tpa. The joint-venture with Aalborg White is
at 20,000t. Imports into Bangladesh were reported
an opportunity for Siam White to leverage its
to be around 25,000t in 2002, some via
presence further in the region. Estimated production
HeidelbergCements Scancement import terminal.
in 2002 was 140,000t. The other producer noted is

Universal White, also in Saraburi, with a 70,000tpa
Malaysia
The only white cement company in Malaysia, Rock
Chemical Industries (RCI), was acquired by Aalborg
clinker capacity. Estimated output is 60,000t.

Exports from Thailand increased dramatically in
2002, with over 100,000t to the USA.
White in May 2000. The decision to acquire 60 per

cent of RCI was based on Aalborgs objective to
Indonesia
establish a regional manufacturing base in Asia. The
HeidelbergCements Indocement complex at
plant at Ipoh, 200km north of Kuala Lumpur, had a
Citeurup produces white cement. It has clinker
capacity of around 50,000tpa this has now been
capacity of 200,000tpa, and in 2001 produced
increased to over 200,000tpa, with a new 500tpd
118,000t. In 2002, it is estimated that production
line, provided by FLSmidth, which came on-stream in
levels were 130,000t. Domestic sales were just over
late-2002.
100,000t, with the remaining 20,000t plus exported
Aalborg White Asia has supplemented this
within the region, and to USA.
production facility by other commercial activities

including a joint-venture with Siam Cement of
South Korea
Thailand to supply white cement to Taiwan, the
There is one white cement producer Union
purchase from Blue Circle and closure of the
Cement. A subsidiary of essentially a chemical
Philippines only white cement plant, Premier, and a
company it is not involved in grey cement
variety of other country specific initiatives within the
manufacture. It has a cement capacity of 170,000tpa
region. Estimated production in 2002 was 60,000t,
at its Chongju plant commissioned in 1981.
with the expectation of considerable growth to
Estimated production in 2002 was 100,000t, with
2005, now that the new capacity is in place. Much
exports made in the region and also to South
of this growth will come through increased exports
America.
from Malaysia within the region.
Taiwan
Vietnam
Until recently there was one white cement producer
According to an Aalborg White report, current white
in Taiwan Taiwan Oil Corporation. Production from
production in Vietnam is around 150,000tpa from
this 20,000tpa plant has gradually dwindled from
two plants. While one of the production plants is
13,800t in 2000, to only 1500t in 2001. In 2002,
Haiphong, no information has been established
less than 1000t was produced and it was reported as
about the other facility. The Vietnamese government
likely that the plant would close down. Imports come
has indicated that white cement would be granted
predominantly from Indonesia (7000t in 2001) and
special investment licenses in terms of foreign direct
small amounts from Japan and South Korea.
investment.
Japan
Thailand
The Japanese white cement industry has been in
There are two white cement production facilities in
long-term decline since the 1980s. A number of
Thailand. Siam White Cement is the major producer
capacity rationalisations took place in the mid-1990s
29
ICR
Quarterly
2003

2003
Table 7a Whiteness of Chinese

cement
Table 7b Distribution of output

across whiteness categories
Class
Class
Whiteness
value
Special class
First class
Second class
Third class
Tonnage
(000tpa)
Special class
70-80
First class
300
Second class
1050
Third class
60-70
86
84
80
75
Share in
output (%)
6
20
70
3
Reasons for this significant fall include
between Onoda, Chichibu, and Nihon. Clinker

capacity of white cement is reported as 307,000tpa
apparently a wide increase of cheaper counterfeit
by the Japan Cement Association, although white
materials masquerading as white cement these are
cement production in 2002 was only less than
generally blended materials containing as little as 20-
80,000t. The only remaining producer is regarded as
30 per cent white cement (bought from the
being the Kitakyushu plant. No imports to Japan
producers) mixed with limestone and other additives
were recognised and exports are of the order of
as well as other decorative cements. These
6000tpa, mainly to Hong Kong.
materials are not included in the output estimates of

1.5Mt above but their effect on overall market
China
demand is discussed in the Consumption section of
China is the largest white cement producing nation
this report. Output of these materials is estimated to
in the world estimates of its total output in recent
be around 1.2Mt, which would give an estimate of
years have fluctuated considerably between 1.5 and
output in a wider definition of white cement as
3Mt. As part of this report, research in the Chinese
around 2.7Mt in 2002.

The effect of this reduction in white cement
market was commissioned by International Cement

Review. Some of the key findings in terms of output
output has been for some white cement producers
are as follows:
to exit the sector and to switch to production of

other products. Research indicates that there are still
Output of a close definition of white cement

has actually fallen from a high of 2.6Mt in 1995 to
around 110 white cement production locations
estimated levels of around 1.5Mt in 2002.
across China with a potential output capacity of over

2.5Mta. These are mainly small- and
Table 7c Product classification for Chinese

white cement
White cement quality
Best quality
Whiteness class
special class
First quality
first class
second class
Accepted quality
second class
third class
Grade
625
525
525
425
525
425
325
425
325
medium-size units, although there are

some larger-scale factories such as
Guangxi Hengxian Special Cements
that has an output of around
250,000tpa. A feature of many of
these units is that they are not
dedicated to solely white cement
production.
In terms of the question of what
constitutes white cement the Chinese
market has the most question marks.
A number of definitions are reported
to apply.
30

2003
ICR
Quarterly
2003
Table 8 Chinese white cement production capacity

Plant location
Province
Anqing
Chichou Julong
Chongqing Tenghui
Chongqing Feixue
Wuping White
Daxinshan
Guangzhou Huihua
Shenzhen Dapeng
Guangxi Heng
Baoding Deyuan
Shijiazhuang City
Baoding Ziheng
Mudanjiang Duocai
Hebei Xinghua
Hubei Hongqi
Hunan Loudi
Nanjing Yinjia
Suzhou Guanghua
Nanjing Kunyuan
Jiangxi Fenyi
Yejin White
Jiangxi Shanggao
Jiangxi Xinfeng
Chifeng Danfeng
Ningxia Shizuishan
Zibuo Yunhe
Zhaoyuan Jinhua
Wendeng Dafang
Luoping City
Shanghai White
Shanghai Baolong
Licheng Zhenhua
Shanxi Yao
Guanghan
Xinjiang Tunhe
Kunming
Yuyao Zhenxiang
Changxing Huxing
Changxing Xingming
Zhejiang Lanxi
unspecified-others
TOTAL
Anhui
Anhui
Chonqing
Chonqing
Fujian
Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangxi Huang
Hebei
Hebei
Hebei
Heilongjiang
Hubei
Hubei
Hunan
Jiangsu
Jiangsu
Jiangsu
Jiangxi
Jiangxi
Jiangxi
Jiangxi
Neimenggu
Ninxsia
Shandong
Shandong
Shandong
Shandong
Shanghai City
Shanghai City
Shangxi
Shanxi
Sichuan
Xinjiang
Yunnan
Zhejiang
Zhejiang
Zhejiang
Zhejiang
Capacity (000tpa)
100
80
30
20
50
50
30
30
250
80
50
50
35
80
22
30
150
100
100
50
30
15
15
60
30
90
50
40
30
80
50
80
30
50
50
30
50
40
30
15
400
2652
31
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Quarterly
2003

2003
Whiteness of white cement is divided into special
Brighton and Boral, grinds an off-white cement at
class, first class, second class and third class, and the
its works near Brisbane. Cement Australia, the newly
whiteness of each class should not fall below the
formed entity from the merger of Queensland
numerical value listed in Table 7a.
Cement (Holcim) and Australian Cement, produces
Research indicates a distribution of output across

the whiteness categories as shown in Table 7b.
off-white clinker at its Rockhampton plant in

Queensland.
In terms of product classification, the products

are divided into the best quality, first quality and
accepted quality in the following way.
Production of Chinese white cement is reported
as being mainly concentrated in Henan, Guangxi,
Jiangsu, Guangdong, Hunan, Shandong provinces white cement outputs from these six provinces
INDIVIDUAL
represent around 70 per cent of the total production,
LATIN AMERICA
with Henan being the most significant province.

Identified white cement producers are shown in
Table 8.
Exports of white cement have risen considerably
Latin America has relatively limited white cement
from mid-1990s levels of around 50-60,000tpa. In
production capabilities when compared with most of
2002, after Chinas entry into WTO during 2001,
the world. Mexico forms the major exception to this
exports were 137,000t at an average price of
and is an important international player.
US$52/t according to Chinese customs statistics.

Main destinations of exports were East Asia, EAC,
Mexico
and Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Imports are
Cemex is the largest producer in Mexico, with three
negligible at around 1000tpa.
white cement facilities. The Tepeaca plant (Tolteca)

has an estimated white cement capacity of just
Australia
under 200,000tpa, and in 2002 produced close to
The Cement and Concrete Association of Australia
that figure. The Monterrey plant has an estimated
reports that there is no white cement production in
capacity of 100,000tpa, similar to its production in
Australia and that imports are in the range of 12-
2002, and Ciudad Valles has a capacity of
15,000tpa. However, it should be noted that an off-
165,000tpa and an estimated 2002 production of
white or cream cement is produced and used in
160,000t. The estimates would suggest that each of
applications such as roof tiles, mortars, and masonry
the three Cemex plants has high capacity utilisation.
products. This off-white cement was developed by
Total Cemex production is estimated to be 450,000t
the Australian industry to reduce reliance on
from its Mexico facilities.
imported white cement.

All of the Australian cement companies produce
There are two other established white cement

producers in Mexico. Cementos Portland Blanco de
off-white cements. Blue Circle Southern Cement,
Mexico, acquired by Lafarge in 1999 the Vito plant
owned by Boral, has a wet-process kiln at Maldon,
has a capacity of 80,000tpa of white cement and in
on the outskirts of Sydney. This plant producing off-
2002 it is estimated that the plant produced around
white cement only, has a clinker capacity of
70,000t. The other company is Cruz Azul at Lagunas
180,000tpa and a cement capacity of 200,000tpa. In
near Hidalgo white cement production started in
2002, it produced around 150,000t of off-white
2000 when a kiln line was converted from grey to
cement. Adelaide Brighton also produce an off-white
white clinker usage. Estimated production capacity is
cement at its Angaston works in South Australia.
120,000tpa and 2002 white cement sales of around
Sunstate Cement, a joint-venture between Adelaide
100,000t were achieved. In 2001, Apasco (Holcim)
32
ICR
Quarterly
2003

2003
PROFILE
White cement in
Colombia
Cementos del Nare SA is part of the Argos
Group, one of the most important
economic groups in Colombia. During the
last six decades it has been leading the production of white cement and lime in the
country. Cementos del Nare offers several types of white cement such as Type I, Type
IM, Type III, Masonry, Antique, and Colour Cements, all of them with high resistance
and high colour levels of world standards.
In the case of its white cement, the installed
production capacity is 250,000tpa, a quantity
that satisfies the domestic demands as well as
foreign markets, exporting to more than 20
countries.
The company is certified in its production
process under Norm ISO 9001 version 2000 in
the elaboration of white cement and lime. Assessments have been made to guarantee
high standards of resistance and colour consistency of Nare white cement, which abide
to regulations NTC 1362 and ASTM C - 150, depending on the application and the
target market.
The main objective of Cementos del Nare is to promote new
uses of white cement in Colombia:
n white and clear tones of concrete
n precast columns, bracket balusters, sills, wells, large tables,
bar counters, coloured concrete tiles, items for urban
furnishings and practically any construction item
n precast elements in white cement for floors (tiled terraces,
coloured, cobblestones, floor slabs, precast siding panels,
concrete blocks, side plating with slabs)
n mortars and coverings
n white cement based paints
n thin set and grouts
Cementos del Nares white cement has been the protagonist in
great architectural and infrastructure works (see photographs).
Its history and social presence are the best proof that, with
work and hope, the company actively takes part of Colombia's
progress. Quality is a contribution to the construction of a
better future.
34

2003
announced that plans had been initiated to
ICR
Quarterly
2003
Figure 7 White cement plants in Latin America
construct a white cement plant at its Apaxca

plant. The level of progress on these plans is
not clear, although it would be unsurprising
for more capacity to come on-stream in
Mexico.
The main export market is USA with
nearly 200,000t being exported in both
2001 and 2002. A high proportion of these
sales are from Cemex to its US minority
interest, Lehigh White (24.5 per cent of
equity).
Brazil
There are two white cement producers in
Brazil. The established Votorantim wetprocess facility at Iraja in Sao Paulo state is
estimated to have a production capacity of
80,000tpa. Estimated 2002 sales were in the
order of 75,000t. A new white cement plant
came on-stream in 2001, at Camargo
Correas Pedro Leopoldo plant where a
production line was converted from grey to
white. Krupp Polysius modified equipment,
including the preheater and silo, as well as
Another plant used to produce white cement
supplying the engineering, the burner and the cooler,
Cementos Hercules is situated close to Bogota. It is
in order to convert the 800tpd grey cement kiln line
not known whether this plant, with a white cement
to 400tpd of white. Estimated capacity therefore is
capacity of around 30,000tpa, is still in operation.
around 120,000tpa, although it is unknown how the

plant is performing in terms of output. Small
Venezuela
amounts of imports come from Mexico and the
The Cemex owned Venezolana de Cementos has a
export trade is yet to be developed significantly.
white cement production capacity of an estimated
Cimento Cau at Pedro Leopoldo is a reasonably
75,000tpa. Estimated 2002 sales were 70,000t, with
significant producer of ground granulated slag
a majority of these materials being exported through
however, and its presence may have depressed
Cemex trading activities.
demand for white cement in Brazil.
Dominican Republic
Colombia
Hispano Dominica de Cemento Blanco (HDCB) has a
Cementos del Nare, part of the Argos Group, is a
28,000tpa white cement grinding facility near the
reasonably large white cement producer. Its white
capital Santo Domingo. Its 2002 estimated output
cement clinker capacity is 200,000tpa and cement
was 15,000t.
capacity of 250,000tpa. In 2002, it produced over

180,000t of white cement, including 70,000t for
Cuba
export. It has four wet-process kilns and four
The government-owned Cementos Cubanos
dedicated mills. Export markets include the USA and
produces white cement at its Siguaney plant that
the Caribbean.
came on-stream in the mid-1980s when Onoda
35
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Quarterly
2003

2003
carried out kiln conversions. The unit has a installed
Canada
capacity of 100,000tpa, but output in recent years
There is one white cement producer in Canada.
has been in the 20,000-30,000tpa range. The Cuban
Federal White Cement Ltd began operations in 1979
government remain keen to bring in an international
in Woodstock, Ontario, with the startup of a new
partner to this operation with a view to modernising
dry preheater 185,000tpa kiln for the sole purpose
and refurbishing the plant, as well as developing
of producing white cement (Federal does not
export sales.
produce grey cement). This was Canadas first white

cement plant, but more importantly, it was radically
Uruguay
larger and more cost efficient than any of the
Compania Nacional de Cementos produces small
existing US white cement facilities. American white
amounts of white at its wet-process plant 100km
cement kilns typically were old, small long dry- or
from Montevideo. 2002 production is estimated at
wet-process kilns that had been converted from grey
around 5000t.
cement production. The three white cement plants

that currently operate in the United States are all of
Peru
this type. Being more efficient than American
Agregados Calcareos, a quarrying and mining
competitors, the structure of the North American
company, has a 90tpd plant in which it produces
white cement industry changed significantly as a
white cement both for the Peruvian market and
result.
neighbouring countries. White cement capacity is
In 2001, Federal brought on-stream a new kiln
estimated at 25,000tpa, with output below the
with capacity of 900tpd or about 300,000tpa. Of
10,000t mark in 2002.
further interest, the plants components were

specially designed to allow the kiln to be expanded
Bolivia
to 2000tpd or 660,000tpa at a later stage. Current
Empresa Minera Industrial (EMISA) now part of
milling capacity is 500,000tpa, and prior to the new
the Soboce Group (in which CDC has a 44 per cent
kiln coming online, white clinker was bought in,
interest) has traditionally produced small amounts
most notably from Turkey, particularly in 1999. In
of white cement for the domestic market (around
2002, it is estimated that Federal produced around
2000-3000tpa).
300,000t of white cement.

Canada is the largest exporter of white cement
to the USA. US Customs data for 2001 reported that
213,000t of white cement were imported from
Canada, with similar levels in 2002. In 2001, Canada
imported 14,000t of white cement, making it a net
exporter of 200,000t.
INDIVIDUAL PLANT
REVIEW BY COUNTRY
NORTH AMERICA
USA
Lehigh White Cement operates two white cement
plants in the United States at York, Pennsylvania,
and Waco in Texas. Each plant has one small, wetprocess kiln in service since the 1960s. Estimated
capacity for the two plants together is 170,000tpa
In the US, the white cement production base shows
white clinker and 190,000tpa white cement. In
similarities, albeit in a much more extreme manner,
2002, it is estimated that the two plants together
to the grey production facilities in that works are
produced around 185,000t. Waco came into
generally old. Investment in new capacity remains
Heidelbergs ownership in 1980, and York in 1982 as
limited.
part of its acquisition of Medusa.
36

2003
ICR
Quarterly
2003
Figure 8 White cement plants in North America
Lehigh White Cement is a joint venture of
white cement is produced in the US, Blue Circle
HeidelbergCement (51 per cent), Aalborg White
launched an antique white product in the 1990s
(24.5 per cent), and Cemex (24.5 per cent). Like
and achieved sales levels of around 20,000-
Federal White Cement, Lehigh White Cement
30,000tpa.
distributes its product throughout North America.
Lehigh White markets four categories of white
Local production from these two plants is
Portland cement, including a type I, a water repellent
supplemented by imports into strategically located
version, type III high early strength and a Type V
import terminals down the East Coast, Texas and in
high sulphate resistant and two categories of white
California. A high proportion of these imports come
masonry cement.
from the joint venture partners white cement plants
As white cement demand rose dramatically from
elsewhere in the world Mexico and Spain in
the 1980s onwards into this decade, imports into the
Cemexs case, historically Denmark in terms of
US have played an increasingly dominant role given
Aalborg White, and from time to time, Belgium and
the relatively low domestic capacity.
Indonesia with Heidelberg.

Texas Industries (TXI) operates the third white
cement facility in the United States. The plant is
located at Crestmore in southern California, and has
White cement imports rose above the

900,000tpa mark in 2000, and progressed further to
936,000t in 2001.
Main sources of imports include Canada (2001:
two, small 40-year-old dry-process kilns with overall
213,000t), Mexico (2001: 197,000t), Denmark
white cement capacity of around 110,000tpa. In
(2001:120,000t), and Spain (2001: 119,000t) with
2002, estimated sales from this plant were around
other significant countries including Thailand,
100,000t. TXI acquired this plant when it purchased
Venezuela, Turkey, Indonesia and Colombia. Exports
Riverside Cement from Ssangyong, Korea. Previous
from USA are around the 25,000tpa mark, and are
owners had included Beazer, Gifford Hill and
nearly completely cross border sales to Canada and
Amcord.
Mexico. The USA is therefore estimated to be a net
Total domestic production capacity is only

300,000tpa, and 2002 output just below. Some off-
importer of 900,000tpa of white cement at current

demand levels.
37
Sinai White Cement is Egypts newest addition to its

white cement industry. The US$75m plant is capable of
producing over 400,000t of white cement annually.

2003
ICR
Quarterly
2003
World producers
A third of global white cement production is manufactured in the plants of five producers (see
Table 9 Estimated top-five white cement producers). Together, Cemex, Aalborg White,
Lafarge, Italcementi and imsa/Sabanci output some 4Mt of white cement in 2002. Below
follows a review of key white cement producers, starting with the world leader in white
cement production, Cemex.
emex is estimated to be the leading white
cent share of domestic production. This allowed
cement producer with output of around
Cemex to achieve a domestic market share of also
1.3Mt in 2002. This would represent an 11
around 60 per cent, as well as export around
per cent share of the global market (14 per cent
100,000t to USA, and around 20-30,000t to both
excluding China). In terms of capacity, Cemex, at
UK and Turkey.
nearly 1.5Mta, is rated No 2 after Aalborg White.

Cemex is the third largest grey cement producer
In Mexico, Cemex is estimated to have produced

nearly 450,000t of white cement in 2002. This
in the world with cement tonnage of 62Mt in 2002.
makes it the leading producer with over 70 per cent
In 2002, Cemex from a turnover of US$6.5bn, made
of Mexican white cement output. A domestic market
an operating profit of US$1.9bn. Its three major
share of over 60 per cent is augmented by exports
markets where it operates are Mexico, USA and
to USA in particular of between 150-180Mta.
Spain and these are responsible for nearly 80 per
Cemex has a 24.5 per cent equity interest in
cent of group turnover. These three markets are also
Lehigh White in USA, along with Aalborg White
where most of Cemexs white cement activities take
(24.5 per cent) and HeidelbergCement(51 per cent).
place.
This relationship has allowed the influence of these
Cemex has reaped the benefit of its presence in
three major cement companies to extend
USA and Spain, the second and third largest white
considerably further in the USA than the two small
cement markets globally. Their significant production
white cement production facilities in Texas and
base in Mexico has also been able to meet domestic
Pennsylvania. Cemex, as detailed above, is estimated
demand as well as exports to the USA.
to export over 250,000tpa to the USA, with a high
In Spain, Cemex is estimated to have produced

around 750,000t of white cement in 2002 a 60 per
proportion of these tonnages marketed through

Lehigh Whites extensive network of terminals.
Table 9 Estimated top-five white cement producers, 2002

Company
Cemex*
Aalborg White**
Lafarge
Italcementi
imsa/Sabanci
Capacity
(000tpa)
Output
(000tpa)
1470
1530
750
740
1100
1330
880
625
590
580
Capacity
utilisation (%)
90
58
83
80
53
Share in global
output (%)
11
7
5
5
5
Plants
8
3
6
5
1
* Lehigh White allocated according to equity

** Includes 2003 capacity addition
39
ICR
Quarterly
2003

2003
Table 10 Cemex white cement plant locations

Country
Plant
LATIN AMERICA
Venezuela Venezolana
Mexico
Tolteca
Mexico
Ciudad Valles
Mexico
Monterrey
Dominican Sto Domingo
Republic
Company
Venezolana
Cemex
Cemex
Cemex
HDCB
Ownership Process
Cemex
Cemex
Cemex
Cemex
Cemex
2002 est.
capacity
(000tpa)
2002 est.
production
(000tpa)
Wet
Dry
Dry
Dry
Grinding
75
190
165
100
28
70
185
160
100
15
NORTH AMERICA
USA
Waco, Tx
USA
York, Pa
Lehigh White Cemex

Lehigh White Cemex
Wet
Wet
90
100
95
90
EUROPE
Spain
Spain
Spain
Valenciana
Valenciana
Valenciana
Dry
Dry
Dry
454
310
100
380
250
120
San Vicente
Buol
Villanova
Cemex
Cemex
Cemex
* Cemex has a 24.5 per cent share in Lehigh White
White cement shipments from Cemex, Spain are
cement, Cemex faces considerable challenges in the
imported through Miami, and from Mexico, through
future. When imsa started exporting white cement
Laredo and El Paso in Texas. Some 30,000tpa are
to Spain, Cemex was quick to retaliate by establish
also imported from Cemex in Venezuela.
exports into imsas home Turkish market. Cemex
Besides the strong positions that Cemex holds in
has benefited from the high growth levels in demand
Spain, USA and Mexico, the company also produces
within its Spanish, Mexican and USA markets, which
white cement in Venezuela and the Dominican
have probably allowed decent returns from its white
Republic. It is strong in the Caribbean, and being a
cement assets, ahead of imsa and probably also
leading trader of cement in general is strategically
Aalborg White, both of which until 2001, had
well positioned in other markets.
operated from one production base.
Cemex, similar to other companies which are
Cemex, if it is not already, will need to consider
leading players in grey cement, as well as aggregates
additions to its white cement capacity, which should
and concrete, falls into the category of white cement
prove interesting in terms of the strategic route it
only forming a very small part of its overall activities.
decides on.
In Cemexs case, turnover from white cement is

unlikely to represent much more than three per cent
Aalborg White #2
of its overall business. Nevertheless Cemex has
Aalborg White is estimated to have been the second
tended to promote a high profile to its white cement
largest producer of white cement in 2002, with
activities particularly the market leadership
output of around 880,000t, giving it a market share
element.
of just over seven per cent (9.5 per cent excluding
With Aalborg White and imsa both having

aspirations to become the global leader in white
40
China). Including a capacity addition at Rrdal plant

in Denmark in 2003, Aalborg White is estimated to

2003
the producers at just over 1.5Mta. With

recent new lines at Sinai White and Malaysia
building up utilisation levels, Aalborg White
looks well placed to challenge Cemexs
position as global market leader in white
cement.
Quarterly
2003
No 2 white cement producer Aalborg White
Courtesy of Aalborg Portland
have the highest white cement capacity of all
ICR
FLS Industries, the owner of Aalborg

White, has carried out considerable
restructuring since 2000. Its strategy is now to
concentrate on two main business areas
cement making equipment/engineering and
building materials. In terms of the building
materials side, activities include fibre cement,
readymix concrete and mortars. Cement
activities under Aalborg Portland include grey
cement produced in Denmark (approaching
2Mt) and white cement. Growth in white cement
cement) contributed EBIT of DKK 0.3 billion, with
production globally forms a key part of FLS
some other companies in the building materials
Industries future strategy.
posting losses at the EBIT level.

The groups position in white cement had prior
In 2002, FLS Industries on turnover of DKK 16.4

billion made EBIT of DKK 0.65 billion. The building
to 2000 already been strong with a long established
materials division had turnover of DKK3.9 billion,
presence from its production base in Denmark,
and EBIT of DKK 0.33 billion. Within the building
supplying up to 70 countries globally. Since then
materials division, Aalborg Portland (grey and white
there have been a number of moves designed to
Table 11 Aalborg white cement plant locations

Country
Plant
Company
Ownership Process
2002 est.
capacity
(000tpa)
2002 est.
production
(000tpa)
MEDITERRANEAN
Egypt
Sinai
Sinai White
Aalborg
Dry
410
200
EUROPE
Denmark Rrdal
Aalborg
Aalborg
Wet
820
575
RCI
Aalborg
Dry
250
60
Wet
Wet
90
100
95
90
ASIA
Malaysia Perak
Republic
NORTH AMERICA
USA
Waco, Tx
USA
York, Pa
Lehigh White Cemex

Lehigh White Cemex
* Aalborg has a 24.5 per cent share in Lehigh White
41
ICR
Quarterly
2003

2003
establish Aalborg as the global market leader in
Other internal initiatives have been the
white cement:
establishment of a strong and separate identity
Aalborg White backed by a dedicated technical
In 2000, Aalborg signed a new 10-year joint-
venture agreement in relation to Lehigh White in the
and sales team. In addition, research and
USA. This involved acquiring 4.5 per cent of Cemexs
development activity has been increased significantly.
shares in Lehigh White making the two companies
Promotional activities have also been increased with
equal partners with 24.5 per cent each, and
the launch of a quarterly magazine, available on the
HeidelbergCement retaining a 51 per cent majority
internet, designed to both promote Aalborg White,
stake. At the same time, future levels of supply of
and the usage of white cement in general. An
white cement from Aalborg to the joint-venture were
important part of Aalborgs development strategy
increased to levels of around 200,000tpa.
has also been to establish distribution centres for
white cement in a number of countries, including
In 2000, Aalborg acquired Rock Chemical
Industries (RCI) of Malaysia. This brought a

50,000tpa white cement plant, and it was
Poland, Czech Republic and Vietnam.

A stated company aim is to increase current
announced that new 200,000tpa capacity would be
white cement capacity from around 1.5Mta to 3Mta,
added.
and to be market leader in Europe, the USA and East
Asia. The recent moves detailed above make Aalborg
In 2001, Sinai White Cement plant came on-
stream with Aalborg as the major shareholder (in
increasingly well positioned to achieve such a
2002, its stake was increased to 45 per cent). This
strategy. As sales from Sinai White and RCI increase
added 410,000tpa capacity to Aalborg Whites
towards capacity in 2003-04, then Aalborg sales of
activities.
white cement may well approach Cemexs.
In 2001, a marketing joint-venture was
The Egypt and Malaysia plants can be expected
announced with Siam Cement of Thailand, designed
to improve Aalborg Whites competitive position
to develop sales jointly in Taiwan and other Asian
dramatically. In the case of Sinai White, besides the
markets. Other smaller initiatives were announced in
domestic market of Egypt, target markets are likely
Asia.
to be via the Mediterranean to North Africa,
In 2002, the new RCI plant came on-stream.
including Libya and Algeria, and via the Red Sea,
In 2002, it was announced that a fifth white
Saudi Arabia, Gulf states, Yemen and India. In the
cement kiln (converted from grey production) would
case of Aalborg in Asia, target markets are likely to
be added at Rrdal in Denmark, taking capacity from
be Malaysia itself, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia,
620,000tpa to around 850,000tpa.
Hong Kong and Australia. This will have the added

beneficial effect for white cement production from
Rrdal plant, Aalborg White
Denmark to be targeted towards Europe and USA,

with an obvious benefit in shipping and general
distribution.
Lafarge #3
Lafarge is estimated to be the third largest white
cement producer in 2002 with output of around
625,000t. This makes it a long way behind Cemex
and Aalborg White in both capacity and sales terms,
and only just ahead of Italcementi and imsa. Its
estimated market share is only just above five per
cent (approaching seven per cent, excluding China).
Lafarge is the largest building materials supplier
in the world, and also the largest grey cement

producer (2002 106Mt). In 2002, the group made
42
ICR
Quarterly
2003

2003
Table 12 Lafarge white cement plant locations

Country
Plant
LATIN AMERICA
Mexico
Vito
MEDITERRANEAN
Greece
Volos
Morocco Bouskoura
EUROPE
France
Italy
Spain
Le Teil
Tavernola
Sagunto
Company
Ownership Process
2002 est.
capacity
(000tpa)
2002 est.
production
(000tpa)
Blanc de Mex Lafarge
Dry
70
70
Heracles
Lafarge
Lafarge
Dry
Grinding
90
80
60
60
Lafarge
Lafarge
Lafarge
Dry
Grinding
Dry
280
80
150
270
75
90
Asland
an operating profit of 3.1bn, on a turnover of
plans to renew the kiln. Vito represents an important
14.6bn. Lafarges white cement activities are likely
foothold in the Mexican white cement market.
to represent less than one per cent of the groups

total turnover.
Lafarge has four integrated white cement
A profile of Lafarges white cement activities

collectively would be of a presence in some of the
larger markets France, Italy and Mexico with a
facilities and two grinding stations. The Le Teil plant
high proportion of sales made within plants
in France is the groups largest facility and is in the
domestic markets (at arguably higher margins than
process of an optimisation upgrade. Lafarge has an
the export side). Lafarge currently, apart from
estimated market share of just under 50 per cent in
Greece, has little capability to trade white cement.
France, the worlds fourth largest white cement
As an example, Blue Circle in the UK is estimated to
market, and one with a currently low level of
sell around 70,000tpa of white cement, packed
imports.
under its own brand name of Snowcem after
Clinker from Le Teil feeds the Tavernola plant in
Lafarge acquired Blue Circle it is understood that
northern Italy. Lafarge has an estimated market share
existing sourcing of white cement from Denmark
of above 15 per cent in Italy, but only less than 10
and Spain was largely left in place. Access to a
per cent in Spain, where the Sagunto plant is
quality in-house source of white cement would give
thought to have spare capacity, even given the
Lafarge the chance to leverage its many strong
strong growth in the Spanish market. The acquisition
market positions in cement worldwide.
of Blue Circle in 2001 included Heracles of Greece,
Lafarge as a group is probably the prime
with a white cement line at Volos. This line is likely
example of how relatively insignificant white cement
to be renewed in 2003-04. The Greek white cement
can be within the overall cement market, and even
facility increases the ability of Lafarge to trade white
more so within the heavyside construction materials
cement from its own source internationally. The
sector.
grinding plant at Bouskoura, in Morocco, holds
However, there is evidence to suggest that while
approaching a 50 per cent market share, with other
white cement will remain a niche market only to
white cement being imported. The Vito plant in
Lafarge, the companys presence in white cement is
Mexico came into the group in 1999, and while
still set to grow. From an organisational perspective,
capacity is currently around 70,000tpa there are also
the group now appears to be regarding white
44
ICR
Quarterly
2003
2003
Table 13 Italcementi white cement plant locations

Country
Plant
MEDITERRANEAN
Turkey
Trakya
EUROPE
Bulgaria
France
Italy
Italy
Company
Ownership Process
Set
Italcementi Wet
Devnya
Cruas
Calcia
Rezzato
Civitavecchia
Italcementi
Italcementi
Italcementi
Italcementi
2002 est.
capacity
(000tpa)
Dry
Dry
Semi-dry
Grinding
2002 est.
production
(000tpa)
90
70
50
250
250
100
3
230
285
0
cement as more of a global product and less perhaps
white cement production at its Devnya plant in
of a domestic cash cow.
Bulgaria.
This recent initiative is interesting in that it
Italcementi #4
appears representative of the increased interest by
Italcementi is estimated to be the fourth largest
the cement majors in white cement it could more
producer in 2002, with output of just under
specifically be regarded as a positive reaction to
600,000t. This represents a global market share in
Holcim Whites increased activity within Central and
white cement of five per cent (over six per cent,
Eastern Europe markets that look set to grow in
excluding China), just lower than Lafarge and similar
terms of white cement consumption.
to imsa.
Italcementi is the fifth largest grey cement
Similar to Lafarge, until recently, Italcementi was

likely to have regarded its white cement activities as
producer in the world (2002 45Mt). In 2002, on
a niche element to its overall cement activities in
turnover of 4.2bn it made an operating profit of
Italy and France, in particular. Further progress
1.1bn. Italcementis white cement activities are
within the white cement sector by Italcementi now
likely to represent less than two per cent of group
seems likely.
turnover.
Italcementis white cement business has until
imsa #5
recently been very much concentrated on Italy and
imsa is estimated to have produced around
France. In Italy, it is the largest white cement
580,000t of white cement in 2002, giving a global
producer from its integrated facility at Rezzato, and
market share of five per cent. In addition to its white
grinding plant at Civitavecchia. Italcementi is
cement production, an unspecified amount of white
estimated to have a 60 per cent plus market share of
clinker was sold. The clinker sales are not included as
the Italian market the seventh largest white cement
imsa output in this report, but given that they were
market in the world.
around 100,000t in 2001, would have been enough
In France, Italcementi through its 71 per cent

equity interest in Ciments Franais, owns the Calcia
plant at Cruas. Cruas market share of the French
if at the same level in 2002, and accredited to

imsa, to make them the No 3 player.
The majority shareholder in imsa is Sabanci
market the fourth largest is estimated to be
Holdings, a Turkish conglomerate. In 2002, Sabanci
above 40 per cent. In addition, the group owns a
achieved an operating profit of US$1.15bn on a
white cement plant in Turkey after its acquisition of
turnover of US$5.2bn. In 2002, imsas turnover
Set, and more recently, in late 2002, introduced
rose from US$116m in 2001 to US$131m. imsa
45

2003
ICR
Quarterly
2003
also produces grey cement at its Mersin plant (2002
Others
2.1Mt) and is involved in readymix.
Mention in this section should also be made of
In certain respects, imsa, after bringing its first
Holcim and Heidelberg, No 2 and 4 respectively in
white cement line (interchangeable with grey) on-
the overall global cement market.
stream in 1990, and followed by a second line in
In 2002, Holcim created Holcim White, primarily
1999, has instigated considerable change in the
a sales and marketing organisation, designed to
white cement sector. White cement capacity in major
leverage its position in Central and Eastern Europe,
excess of Turkeys domestic market, and efficient low
where four of its five white cement plants are
cost production, led to imsas strategy of
located. The creation of such an organisation could
aggressively seeking export markets. Export sales in
be taken as acknowledgement by Holcim of the
2002 were approaching 400,000t of white cement.
potential for market growth for white cement in
There are few European and Mediterranean
general, but particularly in this specific region where
countries that imsa does not export to, as well as
consumption is low. Holcim, like Lafarge, is
further afield. Major export markets include Spain,
underweight in white cement compared to its grey
Israel, Syria, Italy and also North America. imsa has
cement activities. The Holcim White initiative, with
established import operations with local partners in
news of a 30m investment programme for its
Spain and Germany, and also has two import
Romanian white cement production facilities, as well
subsidiaries in Florida and Texas.
as the possible new plant in Mexico, could be taken
imsa operating on a single-plant location basis
as the first steps to redress this.
has certainly ruffled the feathers of established
HeidelbergCement appears to tend to treat its
players. This has certainly led to retaliatory actions,
white cement businesses in USA, Belgium and
but more importantly, to other players re-assessing
Indonesia more as regional rather than global
their white cement strategies. imsa has become a
businesses. In one respect the influence of
recognised major player in white cement.
HeidelbergCement in terms of white cement is more
imsa, like Aalborg White, has a declared
than it appears in pure output terms. As the 51 per
objective to be market leader in white cement.
cent owner of Lehigh White, it presides over not only
Whether it can achieve this from a single location,
the output from the two relatively small plants in USA,
albeit a very efficient one, is debatable. In early
but also the sales and marketing of materials supplied
2003, there was unsubstantiated press speculation in
by Cemex, Aalborg White and itself, to Lehigh White.
Turkey that Sabanci was in talks to buy unnamed
Some industry observers feel that HeidelbergCement
white cement plants in Belgium, Italy, Germany and
over the next two years or so, may need to make
USA. With Sabanci and HeidelbergCement each
disposals of cement assets with low synergies, to
holding a 39.7 per cent stake in Akansa, the leading
reduce gearing. Should that be the case, then disposal
Turkish grey cement producer, the possibility of some
of white cement assets could be an option, with
form of consolidation of Sabanci interests in cement
Lehigh White appearing an obvious one, given that
(including white) should also not be ruled out in the
Cemex and Aalborg are the junior partners.
future.
Table 14 imsa white cement plant locations

Country
Plant
MEDITERRANEAN
Turkey
Mersin
Company
Ownership Process
imsa
Sabanci
Dry
2002 est.
capacity
(000tpa)
1100
2002 est.
production
(000tpa)
580
47
ICR
Quarterly
2003
2003
World consumption
Consumption of white cement in 2002 is estimated to be 12Mt, according to the criteria used
in this report. Global consumption excluding China is assessed at 9.4Mt. This represents an
average worldwide per capita consumption of 1.9kg, less than one per cent of world per
capita grey cement consumption. Europe is the key white cement consuming region,
responsible for over a quarter of all white cement sales. It is closely followed by China, where
22 per cent of global white cement demand originates (see also Table 15 Estimated white
cement consumption by region, 2002). In the report that follows a snapshot is given of the
white cement industry, compiled from a variety of sources and estimates, as there are no
publicly available statistics measuring demand for white cement. One of the leading white
cement producers has referred since 2001 to global growth in the white cement industry of
four to six per cent annually.
he last time that ICR measured the white
cement sector was in 1994 and 1995. The

global white cement market then was
assessed as being 8.2Mt in 1993 (excluding China,

5.4Mt) and in 9Mt in 1994 (excluding China, 6Mt).
Using the 1994 as a base, then the global white
cement market excluding China, has grown in the
order of five to six per cent annually between 1994
WORLD CONSUMPTION REVIEW BY COUNTRY
EUROPE
and 2002. This would amount to an additional

3.4Mt in 2002 compared to 1994. This would be
reasonably consistent with capacity additions over
the period. Major upgrades or new plants are
Europe is estimated to be the largest white cement
assessed at around 3.5Mt and with minor upgrades
consuming region representing 27 per cent of the
and efficiencies elsewhere, a figure of total additional
global market with per capita usage of over 4kg and
capacity of 4Mt over the period appears reasonable.
a white-to-grey proportion of 1.2 per cent.
Table 15 Estimated white cement consumption by region, 2002

Region
Europe
China
Mediterranean Basin
North America
Middle East
Asia (excl China)
Latin America
Africa (excl North)
TOTAL
Total
consumption
(000tpa)
3200
2600
1400
1300
1250
1250
800
150
11950
Share of global
consumption
(%)
27
22
12
11
10
10
7
1
100
Proportion
to grey
(%)
1.2
0.4
1.5
1.1
1.7
0.3
0.7
0.4
0.7
Per capita
consumption
(kg)
4.1
2.0
5.9
4.1
7.3
0.6
1.5
0.2
1.9
49
ICR
Quarterly
2003

2003
Figure 9 Absolute regional white cement consumption
Cement consumption
(000t)
0-500
501-1000
1001-2000
>2000
Figure 10 Per capita regional white cement consumption
Cement consumption
(kg/inhabitant)
0-1
1.1-2
2.1-5
>5
Considerable disparities exist across the region with
(480,000t), Italy (400,000t), Germany (275,000t),
Western Europe consuming an estimated 88 per cent
UK (115,000t) and Portugal (105,000t).
of the total (see also Table 16 Estimated white

consumption Europe, 2002).
Spain dominates European consumption and is
Western Europe
In Western Europe, the above average per capita
responsible for approaching a third of the total at
consuming nations, as well as Spain, are Denmark,
over 1Mt. Spain has the third highest global
Portugal and France. The below average consumers
consumption per capita at 25kg annually. The next
are UK (below 2kg per capita annually) and
highest estimated consuming nations are France
Germany. In the case of the UK, it is the third
50
ICR
Quarterly
2003
2003
Table 16 Estimated white cement consumption in Europe, 2002

Region
Total
consumption
(000tpa)
Western
Central
Eastern
TOTAL
Share of European Proportion

consumption
to grey
(%)
(%)
2820
240
180
3240
88
7
5
100
highest white cement consuming nation after Algeria
1.5
0.7
0.3
1.2
Per capita
consumption
(kg)
7.4
2.0
0.5
4.1
With the major exceptions of Spain and
and Israel, that does not have its own domestic
Portugal, absolute consumption levels may be close
production facility. Customer research carried out in
to peaking in many of the developed countries in
the UK indicates that white cement is not effectively
Western Europe where much of the infrastructure is
promoted by the importing companies (mainly the
in place and repairs, maintenance and improvements
domestic grey cement producers). This, in
take a relatively high proportion of the construction
conjunction with other considerations such as usage
economy compared to new construction. Only
of alternative materials/applications, may explain the
significant improvements in promotion of white
relatively low consumption levels. Denmark, by
cement and development of new applications would
contrast has a strong domestic producer in Aalborg
be likely to fuel significant further growth.
White, and has per capita consumption over five
France is a reasonable example of a developed
times that of the UK. Individual countries estimated
white cement market. It is the fourth largest white
white cement consumption, and other indicators
cement market globally. Sales of white cement are
appear as an appendix to this report.
around 80 per cent bulk and 20 per cent bagged. Of
Figure 11 European absolute white cement consumption

Cement consumption
(000t)
0-10
Iceland
11-50
Sweden
51-100
101-250
Norway
251-500
>500
Ireland
Portugal
Spain
Finland
Russia
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
Belarus
Poland
United
Kingdom
Thhe Netherlands
Belgium Germany
Czech Rep
Ukraine
France Switzerland AustriaSlovakia
Moldova
Hungary
Croatia
Romania
Italy
Yugoslavia
Bulgaria
Albania
Kazakhstan
Uzbekistan
Turkmenistan
Georgia
Azerbaijan
51
ICR
Quarterly
2003

2003
Table 17 Europes 10 largest white cement markets

Country
Spain
France
Italy
Germany
UK
Russia
Portugal
Netherlands
Belgium
Poland
Total consumption
(000tpa)
1050
480
400
275
115
105
105
70
70
60
Per capita consumption

(kg)
25.4
8.1
6.9
3.3
1.9
0.7
10.1
4.3
6.8
1.6
Proportion to grey
(%)
2.37
2.35
0.99
0.96
0.80
0.30
1.00
1.31
1.28
0.53
the bulk sales, around half go to applications such as
period, compared to a 90 per cent increase in grey
adhesives, waterproofing, and coloured mortars,
consumption. Therefore in a period of intense and
plasters and grouts. A further 30 per cent of bulk
sustained growth of the Spanish construction sector,
sales are estimated to be within the smaller concrete
white cement outperformed grey in growth terms,
products categories such as pavers, slabs, street
resulting in a high proportion of white to grey
furniture as well as swimming pools. The remainder
consumption estimated by ICR as being around 2.4
is largely consumed within larger precast categories
per cent compared to the European average of 1.2
such as architectural cladding and panels.
per cent.
Consumption of white cement in Spain the
Another interesting feature of the Oficemen
worlds third largest white cement market has more
report is to highlight the significant regional variation
than doubled from just above 500,000t in 1993 to
within Spain of white cement consumption. The
around 1.50Mt in 2002. Oficemen reports a 110 per
Mediterranean region is the principal consumer of
cent increase in white cement demand over the
white cement in Spain. During 2001 consumption

there reached 635,000t representing
more than 60 per cent of the national
total. The Mediterranean region also
has a higher proportion of white to
grey, some 25 per cent higher than
Courtesy of Aalborg Portland/Cementa AB
the national average, with Andalucia
Arlanda airport, Sweden
per cent of grey cement consumption.
being more than 50 per cent above

the national average.
The island regions of Spain have
much more modest white cement
consumption levels. Across the
Canary Islands and Balearics,
consumption in 2001 was around
30,000t, less than three per cent of
the national total, and less than one
52

2003
ICR
Quarterly
2003
Central Europe
In Central Europe, where total white cement
consumption is estimated to be 250,000t at an
average per capita usage of 2kg annually, scope for
future growth is clear. With the general outlook for
construction in this region reasonably positive,
effective promotion of white cement may lead to
increased penetration; currently estimated white
MEDITERRANEAN
cement consumption is only running at 0.67 per cent

of grey cement consumption. It has been interesting
to note Holcim Whites recently adopted strategy
within this region. Currently Poland (60,000t) and
Romania (40,000t) are estimated to be the two
This region from North Africa eastwards and round

to Turkey and Greece is characterised by high
highest consuming nations within the region.
consumption levels of white cement. At estimated
Croatia, with its lengthy coastline and indicated

growth in tourism, has prospects for a significant
consumption levels in 2002 of over 1.4Mt, the

region is responsible for nearly 12 per cent of global
increase in demand.
output. Per capita consumption is estimated at 6kg
Eastern Europe
annually in 2002, and approaching 1.5 per cent of
In Eastern Europe, consumption of white cement is
grey cement consumption.

The five North African states Algeria, Tunisia,
estimated to be less than 150,000t in total, with a

per capita consumption of only half a kg annually.
Libya, Morocco and Egypt collectively consume
Consumption as a proportion of grey cement is a
around 750,000t, with Tunisia in particular having a
low 0.27 per cent. Russia is estimated to be
high per capita consumption of nearly 13kg annually.
responsible for about 75 per cent of the total
Demand prospects for these countries are regarded
consumption. It would be reasonable to expect
as good. Israel has traditionally been a high
growth in this region driven mainly by construction
consuming white cement state with demand of
growth from major projects, utilising more
around 130,000t in 2002, and per capita
sophisticated building products.
consumption of nearly 20kg annually. Demand in

Figure 12 Mediterranean absolute white cement consumption
Cement consumption
(000t)
0-10
11-50
51-100
101-250
251-500
Turkey
Greece
Morocco
Tunisia
Lebanon
Israel
Algeria
Libya
Egypt
53
ICR
Quarterly
2003

2003
Table 18 Mediterranean Basin consumption by country

Region
Spain
Turkey
Egypt
Algeria
Morocco
Israel
Tunisia
Greece
Libya
Lebanon
Cyprus
TOTAL
Total
consumption
(000tpa)
Per capita
consumption
(kg)
1050
350
280
150
130
130
125
120
60
50
10
1405
25.4
5.2
3.9
4.8
4.4
19.7
12.8
10.9
11.1
11.6
11.1
5.9
Proportion
to grey
(%)
2.37
1.40
1.02
1.50
1.52
2.91
2.75
1.18
1.82
2.00
0.84
1.45
Lebanon has fallen back in recent years. Turkey,
South Africa (20,000t), Senegal and Mauritius in the
Greece and Cyprus are estimated to have consumed
Indian Ocean. South Africa is an example of a
nearly 500,000t in 2002. Greece and Cyprus per
country that used to have its own white cement
capita consumption is double that of Turkey at 11kg
production facility Whites in the Free State. This
annually, reflecting these countries greater bias
ceased production in the early 1990s, and since then
towards tourism activity.
consumption of white cement in South Africa has

Figure 13 African absolute
white cement consumption
Tuunisia
Morocco
Algeria
West.
Sahara
AFRICA
Africa, excluding Mediterranean North African

countries, is a very low consumer of white cement. It
is estimated that this region consumed around only
consumption is assessed as only being 0.2kg

annually. As a proportion of grey cement
consumption, white only represents 0.4 per cent.
The only countries in the region estimated to
consume 10,000tpa or more are Nigeria (30,000t),
54
Egypt
Mauritania
Mali
Chad
Niger
Senegal
Eritrea
Sudan
Burk. Faso
Guinea
Ghana Nigeria
Ethiopia
Ivory
Cameroon CAF
Coast
Eq Guinea Gabon
Somalia
Uganda
Congo
Kenya
Dem Rep
of Conngo
Tanzania
150,000t of white cement in 2002, only just over

one per cent of the global market. Per capita
Libyya
Angola
Cement consumption
(000t)
0-10
11-50
Zambiia
Mozaambiique
Namibia Zimbabwe
Madaagasscarr
Botsswana
51-100
101-250
251-500
South Afriica

2003
virtually halved from around 40,000tpa, while the
ICR
Quarterly
2003
Figure 14 Middle Eastern absolute

overall cement market has remained fairly stable.

This point gives further emphasis to the view that
Syria
Lebanon
Israel
local domestic production can act as a stimulus to

demand.
Iran
Iraq
Jordan
Kuwait
Saudi Arabia
Cement consumption
(000t)
Bahrain
Qatar
UAE
Oman
0-10
11-50
51-100
MIDDLE EASTERN
101-250
Yemen
251-500
With consumption approaching 1.25Mt in 2002, the
the second largest market with an estimated
Middle East is estimated to be responsible for just
300,000t. The commercial sectors are particularly
over 10 per cent of global white cement demand. Of
high consumers of white cement.

Iran has an estimated consumption of 420,000t
all of the regions, it has the highest per capita usage

of 7.3kg annually. The Gulf states in particular show
in 2002. The recent expansion of the production
a high intensity of usage, with UAE consuming on a
base there will have partially stimulated demand. Per
per capita basis 34kg annually, Qatar 33kg, Bahrain
capita demand remains below average at just over
nearly 30kg, and Saudi Arabia itself 13kg. Saudi is
6kg annually. The regional picture in demand terms

as a whole is subdued slightly by Iraqs
significantly reduced demand because
Table 19 Middle Eastern white cement

consumption by country
Region
420
300
120
110
67
60
50
30
20
20
20
10
1227
demand.
Per capita
consump
(kg)
Proport
to grey
(%)
6.4
12.5
34.3
6.4
12.6
26.1
2.1
11.5
28.6
33.3
1.1
2.9
7.3
1.67
1.61
2.00
2.24
2.68
2.18
0.76
1.83
4.00
1.74
1.04
0.69
1.68
Courtesy of Lehigh Cement Co
Iran
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Syria
Jordan
Kuwait
Iraq
Oman
Bahrain
Qatar
Yemen
Palestine
TOTAL
Total
consump
(000tpa)
of war. Rebuilding may stimulate
55
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2003
than China at 0.8kg annually. There appears strong

scope for growth in white cement markets in the
Indian Sub-continent and SE Asia particularly.
India is the fifth largest white cement market in
the world consuming an estimated 450,000t in
2002. However, this only amounts to 0.4kg annually
on an average per capita basis. The white cement
ASIA
market has grown at a similar pace to the overall

cement market in India, about an average six per
cent annually over the last 10 years. The growth in
demand has primarily been led by the commercial
Asia, as a whole, it is estimated consumed just over
sector in the larger cities particularly offices, hotels
3800,000t of white cement (as defined within this
and apartments. Both the cement brands have a
report) in 2002. This represents 32 per cent of the
high level of awareness, and sales are almost
global market, with a per capita consumption of
exclusively in bags down to a 1kg size. Further
1.1kg annually, less than two-thirds of the global
substantial growth is indicated. The Pakistan and
average. Compared to grey cement consumption,
Bangladesh markets too have grown over recent
white cement is only 0.38 per cent.
years, and expected new producers may stimulate
China, the largest market globally, is looked at in

detail below. It is responsible for 68 per cent of Asian
further growth in demand.

In Southeast Asia, demand for white cement has
white cement consumption, fairly in-line with grey
been subdued since the late 1990s after a period of
cement proportions. The white cement market in
substantial growth in the preceding period. Vietnam
China is estimated to be around 2.6Mt, with a per
is reported to have consumed around 150,000t in
capita consumption of 2kg annually.
2002, a surprisingly high figure compared to
The rest of Asia is estimated to have consumed
Thailand (90,000t), Indonesia (80,000t), Malaysia
around 1.23Mt in 2002. The average per capita
(40,000t) and the Philippines (30,000t). The highest
consumption over the region is considerably lower
per capita consumers are Singapore (nearly 5kg

Figure 15 Asian absolute white cement consumption
Cement consumption
(000t)
Japan
North Korea
Mongolia
South Korea
51-100
101-250
251-500
Afghanistan
China
Pakistan
Nepal
India
>500
Bhutan
Baangladesh
Myanmar
Laos
Vietnam
Thailand
Cambodia
Philippines
Sri Lanka
Malaysia
Indonesia
56
0-10
11-50

2003
ICR
Quarterly
2003
products result in the 2.6Mt
Table 20 Asias largest white cement markets, 2002
figure for 2002. The white

cement market in China
Region
Proportion
Total
Per capita
consumption
(000tpa)
consumption
(kg)
appears to have become

therefore differentiated (even
China
2600
India
450
Vietnam
150
Thailand
90
Japan
80
S. Korea
80
Indonesia
80
Pakistan
75
Bangladesh
40
Malaysia
40
Philippines
30
Hong Kong SAR
20
Taiwan
20
Singapore
20
2.0
0.4
1.9
1.4
0.6
1.7
0.4
0.5
0.3
1.6
0.4
2.9
0.9
4.8
to grey
(%)
0.41
0.45
0.83
0.40
0.12
0.15
0.30
0.73
0.71
0.31
0.28
0.53
0.13
0.53
if all of the consumers do not

fully appreciate the fact). An
estimated 1.2Mt of the 2.6Mt
consumed as white cement is
made up of the inferior
decorative and counterfeit
white cements, that will have
effectively a low level of
actual white cement, and
therefore low structural
properties. The fear is that the
cement, within this large
segment of the market where
the applications should mainly
be restricted to domestic
decoration, might be used on
major construction projects.
annually), Vietnam and Malaysia. With Aalborg
The advent of revised product standards may help in
White extending its marketing and distribution
this process. The view from ICR research conducted
activities on the back of the new production line in
in China, is that the recognised white cement
Malaysia, more widespread promotional activity
manufacturers will regain market share over the next
would be expected to lead to increased usage of
five years from the current producers of the inferior
white cement in this region.
white cement.
China global #1 market
Rest of Asia
The Chinese market for white cement is estimated
The demand profile is very different in Japan in
in this report at around 2.6Mt in 2002. In 1979 there
particular. White cement consumption has declined
were only five factories in China and total
from around 135,000tpa in 1995 to only 80,000t in
consumption was less than 70,000t. During the next
2002. Taiwan too has fallen away in terms of white
10 years, when carrying out the policy of reform and
cement consumption to the extent that the local
opening to the world, white cement consumption in
producer is believed to have ceased production. In
China is reported to have increased to well over 1Mt
the South Asia region, Hong Kong (2.9kg annually)
by 1989. By 1997, the last year that separate
and South Korea (1.7kg annually) are the highest per
statistics for white were gathered, consumption was
capita consumers.
around 1.85Mt, having exceeded 2Mt in the

previous two years.
The Production Base section of this report
Australia and New Zealand are included in the

overall Asia figures. It should be noted that while
Australia is reported to only have consumed around
describes the increasing impact of decorative
15,000t of white cement in 2002, if the off-white
cements and counterfeit white cements, over and
cement sales were also included then overall
above recognised white cement produced in China.
consumption would be over 8kg per capita.
Estimates of the total consumption across these
Mexico dominates consumption of white cement. At
57
ICR
Quarterly
2003
2003
By contrast, estimated white cement

consumption appears unnaturally low in Brazil
(70,000t) and only a per capita usage of 0.4kg
annually. One possibility could be a high usage of
off-white cement or slag as an alternative in certain
applications. Colombia (100,000t) and the Caribbean
LATIN AMERICA
grouping (50,000t) are both strong consumers of

white cement; with the latter the continued
expansion and refurbishment of tourism related
facilities is a major driver.
In Argentina, demand has tailed off rapidly with
an estimated consumption of 380,000t in 2002 it is
estimated consumption of 40,000t in 2002, being
responsible for nearly half of the sales within the
substantially lower than previous levels of around
region. Total market is estimated at 780,000t in
100,000tpa.
2002, representing per capita usage of 1.5kg

annually. As a region, Latin America consumes
approaching seven per cent of global white cement
Demand in Chile of around 30,000tpa has been

more stable, but is not exhibiting significant growth.
Long-term prospects for white cement demand
in Cuba are regarded as excellent, mainly based on
consumption.
Mexico with a per capita consumption of 3.7kg
the continuing expansion of tourism current levels
annually is not far off USA levels. As the domestic
of consumption have been subdued for a number of
base of Cemex, the worlds largest white cement
years.
producer, promotional activity can have been

positive in terms of developing usage of white
cement in various applications.
Figure 16 Latin American absolute

Mexico
NORTH AMERICA
Cuba
Guatemala
El Salvador Honduras
Nicaragua
Costa Rica Panama
Venezueela
Colombia
Suurinam
Estimated consumption in North America in 2002
Ecuador
Brazill
Peru
Bolivia
was around 1.3Mt, 11 per cent of global demand.

Per capita consumption in the region is 4.1kg
annually, ahead of the global average, as is the
Paraguay
proportion of white to grey cement consumption, at

1.1 per cent.
Cement consumption
(000t)
0-10
11-50
51-100
Chile
Uruguaay
USA, with an estimated consumption of 1.2Mt

in 2002, is the worlds second largest white cement
Argentina
market (see below). Canada, with estimated

consumption of 100,000t in 2002, just makes the
101-250
top-25 white cement consuming nations. Canadas
251-500
per capita consumption is 3.2kg annually compared

to USAs 4.2 kg annually.
58

2003
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Quarterly
2003
sophisticated white cement market in terms
Table 21 Latin Americas largest white

cement markets, 2002
Country
Total
Per capita
consump consump
(000tpa) (kg)
of both product and applications. A leading

producer details the top-5 applications for
white cement in the USA as being structural
Prop
to grey
(%)
concrete, bricks/ blocks, dry mix mortars,

fibre cement and swimming pools. In the
small bagged market, there are a number of
Mexico
Colombia
Brazil
Caribbean
Argentina
Chile
Venezuela
Cuba
380
100
70
50
40
30
25
20
USA global #2
market
Growth in white cement demand
in the USA over the past 20 years
3.7
2.3
0.4
2.3
1.1
1.9
1.0
1.8
production base has remained

unchanged at around 300,000t.
Consumption in the USA has
had two main periods of growth,
linked with the construction
cycle, from the mid to late 1980s,
that reprocess and merchant white cement.

The small bagged market (as distinct from
big bags) is estimated to be around 20 per
cent of the total white cement market.
Table 22 USA imports, 2002

Year
Total
imports
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
390
520
846
825
923
936
866
has been met predominantly by

imports, as the domestic
companies such as Whitestone and Universal
1.31
1.89
0.18
1.19
1.05
0.82
0.68
1.90
Growth
rate (%)
33
63
-2
12
1
-7
CIF
($000)
CIF P/T
($)
$41,857
$54,480
$76,467
$100,939
$102,178
$97,641
$93,361
$107.43
$104.77
$90.39
$122.32
$110.68
$104.27
$107.81
Source: US Customs
and then from the mid-1990s

onwards. Consumption is
estimated as being around
Figure 17 North American absolute white cement consumption
350,000tpa at the start of the

1980s, and double that at the
start of the 1990s. By 2000,
consumption had reached the
1200,000t mark, not quite a
doubling of the market in the
Canada
decade, but strong growth

nevertheless. The white cement
market has remained relatively
static in 2001 and 2002.
USA
The growth of imports has

been dramatic between 1996
and 2000 according to US
Customs Data.
Cement consumption
(000t)
51-100
>500
USA is a reasonably
59
Courtesy of Lehigh Cement Co

2003
ICR
Quarterly
2003

White cement is used as a constituent material in a great variety of applications of a
decorative or structural nature within global construction sectors. The potential for wider
usage of white cement is regarded by many as considerable, with major factors determining
its demand including taste/fashion, the level of promotion, the cost of white cement and the
cost and availability of competing products.
early all applications of white cement result
Socio-cultural
in seen or visible product, whether that
I Harmonises building technology with the
final product is still white, or has been
environment
coloured with resins, using white cement is the ideal
I Improves visibility and reflectivity of buildings in
base to such colour.
any weather conditions
It is the external presence of white cement that

gives it a level of importance in terms of promoting
I Enriches urban environments with comfort and

distinction.
usage of concrete, and related products, compared

to competing products such as natural stone, glass,
Economical
clay and steel etc. White cement could reasonably be
I Increases the value of building stock
regarded as the flagship of the cement and
I Cost effective material to create intricately
concrete sectors; some companies do realise this and
designed building components
ostensibly attach more importance to white cement
I Raises safety in traffic (higher reflectivity).
than they should do, given that the global market is

less than one per cent of grey cement.
This report has commented on the increased
Ecological
I A natural product made from carefully selected
interest in white cement by a number of companies;
raw materials
one, Holcim White, features some of the benefits of
I Less energy intensive to produce than steel,
using white cement on its website. These benefits
glass, etc
include:
I Performs outstanding thermal characteristics

(peak heating and cooling loads).
Aesthetics
I Unique results in decorative effects and elegance
White cement generally leads to more contact
I Adds beauty to performance of mortars, plaster
with architects and specifiers, and whilst some of the
and concrete
above benefits could be considered as mildly
I Freedom to choose from unlimited range in colour,
subjective, they nevertheless represent a route to
shape and size
influencing decision makers in these functions where
I Combines certified product quality with creativity.
aesthetics and new trends are important.
Technological
current white applications follows:
A categorised but not comprehensive list of

I High structural durability and lasting beauty
I Good workability and reliable strength
Precast elements
performance
I Products: architectural cladding, other
I Excellent properties in surface finishing and
prefabricated elements and building systems, faade
treatment
wall panels, slabs and kerbs, paving blocks,
I Highly moisture resistant construction material.
reconstituted stone, fair faced concrete blocks,
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Quarterly
2003

2003
concrete bricks, roof tiles, staircases and balconies,
I Areas of usage: interior/exterior walls and ceilings,
tunnel segments, road safety barriers, bridge
roof insulations, surface bonding, renovation works,
parapets, retaining walls, lamposts and sign gantries
decoration, swimming pools, water channels etc.
I Areas of usage: residential and commercial sectors
Cement paint & tile grouts
both in terms of exterior and interior walls,
I Self explanatory but a long established use.
landscaping, and other leisure including swimming

pools; infrastructure in terms of tunnels, high
Art
visibility and safety applications.
A low consuming but high profile usage including

statues, restoration of historic buildings,
I Some of the applications above are produced in
reproductions, monuments, parks and civil amenities.
situ, rather than precast.
End uses
Flooring
During research of this report, patchy information
I Mentioned as a separate category because of the
was obtained on end-use and only in fairly general
prevalence of usage of white cement in terrazzo
terms.
surfaces. Also decorative and reflective flooring is

cast in situ.
Additionally, the proportions of end-use in

general categories appeared to vary significantly by
country. This in many respects is unsurprising since
Mortars & plasters
the absolute size of many markets is small and
I Products: Dry mix and readymix mortars and
therefore could be skewed by the presence of a large
screeds, other mortars, plasters, screeds and
producer of adhesives, for example, that supplies
rendering products of a decorative nature, repair and
product to a regional market.
patching, levelling and industrial flooring mortars

and screeds, etc.
62
As a few random samples, end-use information

for a number of countries is shown below:

2003
ICR
Quarterly
2003
No major conclusions can be

drawn apart from a view that the
three main consumers of white
cement are probably
mortars/plasters, concrete products
(tiles, blocks, pavers etc) and larger
structural elements, whether
precast or in situ.
Marketing
The heightened interest in white
Japan
cement has been discussed from a competitive
I Paving block 15 per cent
viewpoint elsewhere in the report. Promotion of the
I Tiles 15 per cent
product has been variable in the past, with
I Masonry blocks 31 per cent
excellence by some companies in some markets but
I Mortars/plasters 11 per cent
generally little marketing effort and/or promotional
I Other 27 per cent
expenditure in many markets. Given that the
(Source- Japan Cement Association)
demand for white cement is largely a derived one,

there is a clear case for white cement producers
Portugal
working with downstream customers (whether
I Mortars/plasters 39 per cent
external or in-house) to promote usage within the
I RMC/in-situ concrete 24 per cent
applications.
I Precast 29 per cent
From a strategic marketing viewpoint white
I In-situ plasters 8 per cent
cement needs to be considered against not only
(Source- Portuguese Cement Association)
competing materials like natural stone, clay and glass

in terms of the final application, but also against
USA
other cementitious materials such as ground
I Structural 15 per cent
granulated slag, or off-white cements for certain
I Bricks 11 per cent
applications.
I Mortars drymix 11 per cent
Increased effective promotion of white cement
I Fibre cement 8 per cent
can be expected to grow the global market, with
I Swimming pools 7 per cent
perhaps the biggest gains coming in currently
I Other 48 per cent
developing economies with low to medium per
(source- company data)
capita consumption, or developed countries where

there is not a domestic producer and promotional
UK
effort has been low. Increases in fashion preference
I Structural 15 per cent
for white cement products could lead to a sustained
I Leisure/pools 5 per cent
growth in demand (such as the growth in demand
I Slabs/pavers 5 per cent
for granite in the mid-1990s).
I Tiles/blocks 15 per cent
If recent trends of dipping prices in some
I Mortar 18 per cent
markets continue, then the movement to longer-
I Terrazzo 4 per cent
term lower prices would be expected to support
I Paints 8 per cent
promotional initiatives. The level of price elasticity of
I Merchants 18 per cent
demand for white cement remains at this stage
I Other 12 per cent
inconclusive.
(source: company data)
63

2003
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Trading
It is estimated that in excess of 3Mt of white cement was traded outside of the country where
it was produced in 2002. This would represent over 25 per cent of global white cement being
traded. Taking China out of the equation, this figure would be around 32 per cent. As a
comparison, grey cement traded globally is around seven per cent of the overall market,
according to recent ICR research.
here are several reasons for the higher
Main white cement traders
proportion of trading compared to grey
Of the white cement producers, the following
cement. White cement is only produced in an
estimated ranking applies in terms of 2002. The
estimated 46 countries worldwide. This perforce
tonnages shown are estimates of sales by that
means that the other countries (upwards of 150)
company of white cement outside of the country
that consume white cement need to import the
where it was produced. Any white cement
product. In addition, prices of white cement have
merchanted ie bought-in from another producer
tended to be in a magnitude of two to four times
and sold on is not included.
those of grey cement. This has the effect of
1. Aalborg White
600-650,000t
distribution costs being less significant for white than
2. Cemex
450-500,000t
grey cement, therefore increasing the scope to
3. imsa
400-450,000t
export.
4. RAK White
250-300,000t
5. Heidelberg
200-230,000t
6. Federal
200-220,000t
Moreover, the larger white cement players,

particularly Aalborg and imsa, have been proactive
in terms of distribution facilities and promotion of
white cement in countries that they export to. There
Main import markets
are also examples of major grey cement players
White cement markets that are estimated to have
seeking to start to balance supply and demand
imported more than 100,000t in 2002 are as follows:

The US market then is by far the most important
between markets in white cement as well as in grey.

Lastly, in terms of white cement traded it should be
in terms of trading, being responsible for importing
noted that the volumes amount to only around 3Mt
30 per cent of all white cement traded globally.
compared to an estimated 125Mt of grey.
Spain, whilst being the second largest importer in

2002, has a relatively low reliance
Table 23 Main white cement importing nations

Country
Imports
(000t)
Share of
consumption
Import:
production
ratio (%)
on imports. In the case of Germany,

its geographical position in Central
Europe, makes it a logical importer
given the low level of domestic
capacity. Saudi Arabia, until recently
totally dependent on imports, has
USA
940
78
330
Spain
Germany
Algeria
Saudi Arabia
Israel
UK
215
200
150
150
130
115
20
73
100
50
100
100
17
267
N/A
98
N/A
N/A
now brought on domestic capacity.

The other three countries that
import more than 100,000tpa
Algeria, Israel and UK do not
produce white cement.
Besides North America, the
other main trading regions are the
65
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2003

2003
PROFILE
US import market
US Customs defines about three dozen ports of entry to America, including Puerto
Rico and the US Virgin Islands, but only a few receive substantial amounts of white
cement. Laredo in Texas was the largest port of entry for white cement in 2001,
followed by Detroit, Miami, Boston, Tampa, and Buffalo NY. Certain countries favour
certain ports when it comes to white cement trade. For example, Canada and Mexico
ship mainly through ports on their US borders. Countries that do not border America,
however, dont show a particular pattern in port selection, though they all tend to
concentrate on only a few ports of entry.
Table 24 Top 7 countries of origin of US white cement import of entry,
Jan-Nov 2002
Port of entry
Maine
Boston MA
Canada
Mexico
Denmark Thailand Spain
Venezuela Turkey
21
Ogdensburg NY
85
Buffalo NY
59,537
25
New York NY
7801
Detroit MI
126,500
316
Wilmington NC
Miami FL
Tampa FL
91,408
Savannah GA
Puerto Rico
6228 14,683
Virgin Islands
Houston TX
Laredo TX
136,725
El Paso TX
20,533
Nogales AZ
330
Seattle WA
15
Alaska
5963
Great Falls MT
8879
San Diego CA
San Francisco CA
201,021 163,816 114,233
TOTAL
29,256
23,816
5025
109,484
18,454
2726
936
79,297
8207
8812
120,132
4501
109,484
35,217 25,681
All figures in metric tonnes
In addition, other sources of white cement in this period included: Colombia (10,637t),
Greece (6058t), Egypt (5500t), Belgium (4585t) and China (3603t).
Over 50 per cent of these imports can be ascribed to Cemex and Aalborg joint
venture partners in Lehigh White, and a further 25 per cent to Federal of Canada.
66

2003
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Quarterly
2003
Mediterranean Basin and the Middle East. The Suez
where local merchants/traders proliferate. This can
Canal does operate as an impediment to trade
have detrimental effects on the final price to the
between these two regions and indeed further afield.
consumer and the overall promotion of the product

by application.
Competitive situation
A major facet of the global white cement market is
Pricing trends
that the level of competition has undoubtedly
During the course of researching this report, pricing
increased significantly over the past decade, and
detail made available was unsurprisingly patchy and
particularly over the past five years. The reasons for
infrequent. Nevertheless a few general comments
this have already been discussed in this report and
can be made:
revolve around the type of new capacity brought on-
I Achieved FOB prices for major white cement
stream large (in white cement terms), efficient (in
exporters have fallen dramatically since 2000 in
contrast to remaining wet and older dry kilns) and
terms of some of the markets that they supply. In
with a need to generate significant sales outside of
terms of one of the Mediterranean based producers,
the specific domestic market.
FOB prices were estimated to have almost halved
White cement though is less of a commodity
from above US$110/t to around US$65/t by 2002.
product than grey cement product differentiation
I In established markets, such as Northern Italy and
arises as a result of levels of whiteness and according
France, supplied almost totally from domestic
to the needs of any particular application, where
production, prices are believed to have remained
often consistency of product is the most important
relatively stable and high, in the range of 150-
criteria. It is reported that a white cement with
200/t ex-works. Pricing levels on the Iberian
whiteness of 91-92 may generally achieve a
Peninsular are somewhat lower in the range of
premium of 10 per cent in price over cement with
110-130/t.
whiteness of around 86.
I In USA, US Customs statistics show the CIF price
An additional consideration in terms of
for white cement rising to just over US$122/t in
competitiveness is the existence of import tariffs in
1999, and then falling back to around US$105/t in
some markets such as India. This can either have the
2002. A US merchant reported in 2002, an over-
effect of allowing an inefficient operation to
abundance of white cement in the South-East
continue to trade profitably, or allow a modern and
region, that had resulted in a 30 per cent drop of the
efficient operation to make above average profits in
small bag sales price in the region.
its own domestic market. Likewise subsidised power
I Out of Iran, FOB prices of US$35/t in 2002 were
or fuel inputs can have a similar effect.
claimed to be available this was seen as a result of
Other influences on a competitive situation may
the very low production costs, given new plant and
also include a grey and white cement producer being
energy subsidies.
able to leverage customer relationships to the benefit
I In China, average prices for white cement
of white cement supply, plus the other recognised
exported in 2002 were US$53, similar to the
benefits of synergies in marketing costs and logistical
previous year. Domestic FOB prices are in a range of
flexibility.
US$40-90/t depending on whiteness and
For the white cement producers with an

imperative to export, such as Aalborg White, imsa,
specification.
The above comments highlight the views that
RAK White, the Iranian producers and others, the
white cement is not a commodity, that access to
absolute size of many markets is too low to support
certain markets is not always available, and that
import terminals and additionally, the market
competitive battles for sales can impact significantly
requirement is likely to be for bagged rather than
on price but possibly be restricted to flashpoints
bulk product. Therefore, this tends towards lack of
rather than across regions.
control of distribution of product in many markets
67

2003
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Quarterly
2003

The outlook for the global white cement industry is generally positive with worldwide
demand over the next decade believed to rise by five to six per cent. Experts also predict a
higher level of trade, boosted by a higher concentration in ownership of production facilities,
and increased market penetration as a result of improvements in marketing strategies, product
availability and distribution.
f the recent growth of demand estimated at five
Trade
to six per cent annually continues for the next 10
The proportion of white cement traded is likely to
years, then demand in 2012 will be between
increase further given the above scenario. A further
19.5 to 21.5Mta an increase of 7.5 to 9.5Mt
boost to this view would be given by increased
above existing levels.
concentration of ownership by the existing larger
If these significant increases of demand are likely
producers.
to be achieved then the current major consuming

nations (China, USA, Spain, etc) will need to see
Prices
continued increases in demand in addition to growth
One can expect white cement prices to maintain
elsewhere. ICR demand outlook by region is as
current patterns with seaborne FOB prices out of
follows:
(and within) Europe showing some improvements
Europe mildly positive in Western Europe,
over the short-to-medium term.
positive in Central and Eastern

I
Mediterranean Basin positive
Corporate activity
Middle East positive
Most changes of ownership in white cement have
Africa (excluding North Africa) neutral
come about as an associated result of larger M&A
Asia China mildly positive, West and
activity in grey cement. While this is likely to
Southeast Asia positive, East Asia neutral
continue, there may be scope for transactions in the
Latin America mildly positive
future that involve the few stand-alone white
North America neutral to mildly positive
cement players, such as Federal and RAK White, or

disposals of dedicated white cement facilities held by
Production
essentially grey cement companies. Additionally,
Over the last decade capacity has grown more or
scenarios may emerge where certain white cement
less in line with consumption, therefore should
producers may cede or license the marketing of the
existing growth in demand continue (as above), then
product to other, probably major, companies.
capacity additions of the order of 7-10Mta would be

required.
This report has not addressed the subject of
Marketing and promotion

The recent heightened interest in white cement by
availability of suitable high quality reserves for white
some of the producers suggests that more
cement production worldwide, however, it would
sophisticated marketing and promotion of white
seem likely that most of the capacity that may need
cement is likely to be an increasing trend in the
to be added will take place at existing production
future. Effective application-based marketing,
facilities, where viable. New production facilities
supported by better distribution and availability of
where they do occur are most likely in Asia, North
product, is likely to increase penetration of markets,
Africa, Middle East and Latin America.
particularly in parts of Asia, Latin America and

Central and Eastern Europe.
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White cement is essentially an ordinary Portland cement with the content of any chemical
species that might colour the cement kept to a minimum. Principally this means that the iron
oxide content, Fe2O3, must be minimised as this combines with Al2O3 in the C4AF mineral,
which imparts the colour to grey Portland cement.
n addition to minimising the iron oxide content,
cement manufacturing process which are essential
the presence of any other potentially colouring
for the production of a high quality modern white
chemical species must be eliminated. In practice
Portland cement. At each stage of the manufacturing
this means that steps must be taken to avoid
process these adaptations fall into three broad
contamination by oxides of the first series of the
categories, (i) avoiding contamination, (ii)
transitional metals (scandium to zinc) at each stage
maximising or improving the whiteness by process
of the cement manufacturing process. When these
modifications, and (iii) coping with the effects of
metals are combined with oxygen ligands, as in
these process modifications.
clinker, they have empty orbitals available and
The quality of a white Portland cement is a
electrons absorb energy in the visible region of the
function of the compressive strength development,
electro-magnetic spectrum and are promoted to
setting characteristics, workability and durability, as
these higher available orbitals. This absorption can
with grey cement. However the key quality defining
vividly colour the clinker.
characteristic is the whiteness or brightness of the
Aside from these considerations the technology
cement. This is not without its problems. White
of white cement manufacture is largely the same as
cement can be defined as any cement with a
for grey cement. Raw materials are extracted from
reflectance of over 80 per cent compared to
open pit or underground mines. These materials are
magnesia (MgO) which has a reflectance of 100 per
then blended to familiar lime saturation and silica
cent. International grade white cement is said to
modulus targets and pass through a series of size
have reflectance of between 84 per cent and 88 per
reduction stages involving crushers and mills. The
cent, with over 88 per cent only being achievable
resulting kiln feed is burnt in rotary kilns of all the
with special raw materials.
process types used for grey cement clinker. Long
This does not correspond with quoted whiteness
wet, long dry, grate preheater and suspension
figures of more than 90 per cent for many white
preheater kilns both with and without precalciners.
cements produced in the world. The reflectance
The resulting white cement clinker comprises the
values referred to above correspond with the
calcium silicate minerals, C3S and C2S, in
brightness of the cement and correspond closely
combination with the calcium aluminate mineral
with the Y-value of the CIE colour system.
C3A. This clinker is then ground together with
For these reasons no description of the
gypsum to produce the final white cement product
technology of white cement can proceed without an
and stored in silos for despatch in bulk or bags, as
understanding of colour, whiteness and brightness
with grey cement.
measurement.
The purpose of this report is not to describe the
The next section of the report therefore
familiar technology of grey cement manufacture.
describes the competing international standards for
This is adequately described in various publications
colour and whiteness measurement. Both standards
including the Cement Plant Operations Handbook,
are used in different parts of the world meaning that
published by ICR, presenting a concise guide to grey
careful interpretation is necessary when comparing
cement manufacture. This report will focus on the
reported quality data from the different producers of
particular adaptations and modifications of the grey
white cement.
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Colour and whiteness

measurement
Figure 18 Relative luminous efficiency curve
Two international standards are used for colour

and whiteness measurement. These are the
Commission Internationale de lEclairage system
and the US National Bureau of Standards
system devised by R S Hunter. The principles of
these two standards are described in the
following sections.
Commission Internationale de
lEclairage (CIE)
The human eye detects light in the visible
wavelength range, 400-700nm, but does not
perceive the same brightness over the whole
visible range. A plot of brightness perceived
Figure 19 Relative energy distribution C light
(per unit of incident energy) against wavelength

rises to a maximum at 555nm and is called a
relative luminous efficiency curve. The detector
in a colour measuring instrument has to
simulate the luminous efficiency of the human
eye. Two standards are used by the Commission
Internationale de lEclairage (CIE), the 2
Standard Observer and the 10 Supplementary
Standard Observer. Both are mathematical
interpretations of the response of the human
eye. The latter is claimed to give better
correspondence with most observers. When
quoting results of colour measurements the
Figure 20 Spectro-reflecting power
red body under C light
field of observation must be specified.

The appearance of colour is also affected
by the energy distribution or spectral
composition of the illuminant or incident light.
Again two standard illuminants are used in
colour measuring instruments, D65 (daylight at
6500K) and C (simulated average daylight
from an overcast sky). These must also be
specified along with the results.
When a body is illuminated the incident
light is either reflected or transmitted and the
percentage of light reflected at a given
wavelength is known as the spectro-reflecting
power. The spectro-reflecting power is
dependent on the colour of the body. The
power and the incident light energy at that
amount of energy entering the eye at a given
wavelength.
wavelength is the product of the spectro-reflecting
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Grassmans law states that a mixture of three

2003
independent colours are needed to determine colour:

red, green and blue. The human eye contains
detectors for each of these colours and each has a
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x = X/(X+Y+Z)
y = Y / ( X + Y + Z)
These coordinates are then plotted on a diagram
different luminous efficiency curve. Reflected light
known as the CIE chromaticity diagram. All visible
entering the eye stimulates each detector cell
colours are contained in an area of this diagram
differently leading to three spectrum excitation
defined by a curve known as the colour locus and a
curves. Integration under these three curves leads to
straight line known as the locus of pure violet.
the X, Y and Z tri-stimulus values corresponding to
Further information can be gained from this
the relative amounts of red, green and blue light
diagram by extending a line through the x, y
respectively.
trichromatic point P, from a special whiteness point
The Y tri-stimulus value (green) gives a direct
N, to the colour locus. (N is close to colourless point
measure of brightness or whiteness and is the most
5). The intersection with the colour locus at S gives
commonly used measure in the quality control of
the dominant wavelength, which is a measure of the
white cement. Sometimes whiteness indexes are
hue, i.e. blue, yellow, red, etc. Finally the ratio of
used to give a means of comparing samples by
NS / NP is a measure of the stimulus purity.
means of a single value. These are based on the tristimulus values. A measure of the deviation from a
neutral white is given by the relationship:
W
= (X Z) * 100/Y
Where a negative value indicates a colour on the
National Bureau of Standards (NBS)

Colour
In the CIE diagram the same difference in Y value
and chromaticity does not give the same sensation in
blue side of neutral white and a positive value a
different parts of the diagram. A uniform
colour on the red side of neutral white. A single
chromaticity diagram is required for this purpose and
positive value for ranking a series of samples can be
R S Hunter devised L, a and b scales to do this.
obtained from the relationship:

W
= 0.5 Y + 50(1-((1.019 X 0.8458 Z)/ Y ))
The full CIE colour system is given by finding the
Colours can be represented as a colour solid. The

lightness is represented vertically by L, the distance
of a point within the solid from the axis gives the
ratio of the X and Y tri-stimulus values to the sum of
saturation, and the angle from the centre the hue.
the X, Y and Z tri-stimulus values to give the x and y
When lightness, saturation and hue are specified a
trichromatic coordinates.
colour is fixed. The difference between the positions
Figure 21 CIE chromaticity diagram
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Figure 22 Hunter colour solid

in cross-section
Figure 23 Hunter colour solid

with colours
of two samples within the solid is measured in NBS
are called white. Hunter proposed the following
units which give good correspondence to sensual
equation for whiteness:
colour difference. The relationship between NBS

colour differences and sensual differences are shown
W = 100 - ((100 L)2 + ( a2 + b2))

In this 100 represents pure white at the top
in Table 24 Relationship between NBS colour
centre of the Hunter colour solid and the difference
differences and sensual differences.
between the sample and this point is subtracted
Figure 23 shows the Hunter colour solid with
from 100. There are numerous points which are
colours marked. This diagram is equivalent to the
equidistant from the top centre point of the Hunter
one shown above. The distance of any point from
colour solid and their appearances are different in
the centre of the solid is given by (a2 + b2 + L2),
brightness or hue or both.
and the NBS colour difference between any two

points by (_a2 + _b2 + _L2).
The relationships between the Hunter L, a and b

values and the X, Y and Z tri-stimulus values are
Hunter whiteness rather than overall colour

difference presents problems. A yellow material will
given by:
L = 10 Y
give a high Hunter L reflectance, but a blue colour
a = 17.5 ( 1.02 X Y)/ Y
gives a better sensation of whiteness. However, a
b = 7.0 ( Y 0.847 Z)/ Y
blue colour will absorb some light reducing the

Hunter L value. Hunter whiteness does not usually
Raw materials
correspond with the best visual sensation of
The raw materials to be used for white cement
whiteness. White should be seen as a kind of colour,
manufacture must provide the lime, silica and
and colours positioned at the top of the Hunter solid
alumina to be combined into the calcium silicate and

aluminate clinker minerals C3S, C2S and C3A,
Table 24 Relationship between NBS

colour differences and sensual
differences
while at the same time avoiding contamination

by having the absolute minimum of iron
content present in any form (oxide or sulphide).
As a rule of thumb an increase in the clinker or
NBS Colour Difference

> 0 < 0.5
> 0.5 < 1.5
> 1.5 < 3.0
> 3.0 < 6.0
> 6.0 < 12.0
> 12.0
74
Sensual Differ.
Trace
Slight
Noticeable
Appreciable
Big
Different
cement Fe2O3 content of 0.1 per cent will lead

to a reduction in the reflectance or Y-value of
2.5 per cent. To attain international whiteness
grades this means the clinker and cement
Fe2O3 content should be less than 0.4 per cent
and therefore the total Fe content in the raw
mix should be less than 0.25 per cent.

2003
The lime saturation of white cement clinker and
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For limestone the most common practice is to scalp
kiln feed is similar to grey cement, and in excess of
or screen the stone on the feeder to the crusher,
90 per cent, resulting in lime contents in clinker of
with the intention of removing the fine particles.
more than 60 per cent. The combination of this and
Most limestones contain some clay inclusions that
the low Fe2O3 requirement means that a high purity

source of calcium carbonate (limestone or chalk)
are rich in Fe2O3, and this screening and rejection

aims to remove the clay contamination and lower
makes up approximately 80 per cent of the raw mix,
the Fe2O3 content of the material passing to the
and is the primary raw material requirement for a
crusher and into the process. Another approach is
viable white cement factory.
taken by the Buol factory of Cemex Espna, where
To come up to international market requirements
the limestone is first crushed in a jaw crusher, and
for cement whiteness the iron content of this
the clay is then separated and removed in wash
limestone or chalk, expressed as Fe2O3 equivalent,

will need to be less than 0.10 per cent. This
drums.
effectively defines the quality requirements and
therefore located adjacent to deposits of high purity
specification for limestones and chalks for white
limestone or chalk. Any cement company wishing to
cement manufacture. It means that the marls and
establish a white cement kiln must secure deposits of
cement rocks, which are the best raw materials for
limestone or chalk that meet these purity
grey cement manufacture, are completely unsuitable
specifications, or can be improved to meet this
for white cement manufacture. In general chalks are
specification.
more pure than limestones and for that reason might
The white cement factories of the world are
Having secured a source of suitable limestone or
be considered the superior source of calcium
chalk the requirement is then to find secondary raw
carbonate for white cement manufacture. However,
materials to provide the silica and alumina to
the moisture content of the chalk means it is
combine with the lime in the calcium silicate and
unsuited to the dry-process of cement manufacture
aluminate clinker minerals. Again these secondary
and most modern white cement factories use high
materials must be low in iron content, but as they
purity limestone as their primary raw material.
make up less than 20 per cent of the total raw mix,
This represents a demanding specification and it

is common for run-of-quarry limestone to be unable
the maximum allowable Fe2O3 content can be as

high as one per cent, dependent on the Fe2O3
to meet this requirement. In this case steps are taken
inputs in the limestone and other materials.
to improve the quality by reducing the iron content.
The secondary raw material that meets these
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Table 25
Limestone
Silica Sand
Pure Kaolin
Siliceous Kaolin
0.50
0.20
0.05
55.5
98.00
1.50
0.05
0.20
49.90
34.10
0.80
0.20
74.90
16.00
0.10
0.20
Limestone (%)
Silica Sand (%)
Kaolin (%)
79.93
8.97
11.11
79.59
20.41
0.00
Raw Mix
SiO2 (%)
Al2O3 (%)
Fe2O3 (%)
CaO (%)
15.76
3.38
0.12
44.40
15.65
3.42
0.06
44.13
SiO2 (%)
Al2O3 (%)
Fe2O3 (%)
CaO (%)
LSF Target
SM Target
92.0
4.50
requirements most readily is the clay mineral kaolin.
content, which presents no problem as there are
This is the most common secondary raw material
abundant sources of pure silica sand available in the
used in white cement manufacture. The ideal
industrial minerals market place.
location for a white cement factory would be
Addition of silica sand to the raw mix does
adjacent to suitable deposits of high purity limestone
present problems of abrasion in the raw material
and kaolin, however finding these minerals in close
handling, blending and grinding systems due to the
proximity is a rare event. Many white cement
hardness of silica sand. This abrasion of the machines
manufacturers locate their factories adjacent to a
used in cement manufacture increases the
suitable limestone or chalk deposit and import the
maintenance demands and reduces the life
kaolin into the factory. Inevitably this pushes up the
expectancy of the components that come into
cost of white cement manufacture relative to grey
contact with the raw mix. There is also the added
cement, but the premium price obtainable for the
problem of contamination of the mix with iron and
product makes importing the secondary raw
transitional metals from the steel of the machines,
materials worthwhile.
which can potentially colour the final cement
Pure kaolin has the chemical formula

Al2O3.2SiO2. and the percentage chemical
composition 54 per cent silica, SiO2, 46 per cent
product.
One response to this abrasion and
contamination is to use ceramic grinding media and
alumina, Al2O3. This material is deficient in silica for

combination with lime, CaO, in the calcium silicate
liners in the raw grinding mills as discussed below. As
minerals C3S and C2S. This means some additional
greater than 10 per cent it is advisable to use
a guideline if the silica sand content of the raw mix is
silica, normally in the form of silica sand, must be
ceramic media for raw grinding. However even when
added to a white cement raw mix in order to make
this strategy is adopted the silica sand will abrade
up the deficiency. Again the principal specification of
any metal parts with which it comes into contact,
this silica sand is that it must be low in Fe2O3
such as chutes and pneumatic delivery lines to the
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Where:
CaO1400C = the free lime after burning for 30
minutes at 1400C
LSF = per cent CaO/(2.8 per cent SiO2 + 1.18
per cent Al2O3 + 0.65 per cent Fe2O3)
SR = per cent SiO2/( per centAl2O3 + per cent
Fe2O3)
Q45 = per cent quartz grains greater than 45
C125 = per cent calcite grains coarser than 125
R45 = per cent acid insoluble grains coarser than
45.
The first part of the equation relates to the
chemical composition of the material and

homogenisation silos and the kiln. Raw mixes
indicates than the lime saturation and silica modulus
containing silica sand are also prone to segregation
are the principal chemical factors affecting the
in the homogenisation silos, with the silica modulus
burnability. The silica ratio (SR) is the important
varying by as much as 1.0 dependent on the level in
factor when using this relationship with a white
the silo as the mix is extracted to kiln feed.
cement raw mix. The necessarily low iron content in
Wherever possible it is therefore advantageous
the mix inevitably means that white cement raw
to minimise silica sand additions to raw mix, or avoid
mixes have poor burnability. The iron oxide
them altogether. This best achieved by sourcing a
containing clinker mineral C4AF is the first mineral to
siliceous kaolin on the industrial minerals market.
melt in the cement kiln and promotes the formation
Mix designs using a relatively pure kaolin and silica
of the C3S mineral by fluxing the combination of the
sand in comparison with a siliceous kaolin from
solid free CaO liberated from the limestone and the
Turkey are presented in Table 25. This demonstrates
C2S mineral to form C3S. In the white cement kiln
the dramatic reduction in silica sand addition that a
the lack of iron oxide means a lack of C4AF and
siliceous kaolin can bring about. Kaolins of these
poor fluxing of this combination.
Turkish deposits are exported for thousands of miles
The second part of the burnability equation
to white cement companies and presumably
relates to the mineralogy of the raw mix and the
represent one of the key operational advantages
concentration of the minerals in the coarser fractions
enjoyed by imsa at its Mersin white cement factory.
of the raw mix. With silica sand additions to the mix
The hardness of silica sand also raises the
a high concentration of quartz in the size fraction
problem of preferential grinding of the limestone and
above 45 microns is to be expected due to the
kaolin, with the silica particles concentrating in the
preferential grinding of the softer limestone and
coarse residues of the raw mix. This potentially
Kaolin. This further reduces the burnability of the
makes the low burnability of the white cement raw
mix.
mix even worse and can be avoided by separate
Two responses are possible to alleviate these
grinding of the silica sand as employed at Aalborg
problems of poor burnability. The first is to grind the
and the new Sinai White cement plant where two
raw mix to a high fineness to minimise the
wet process sand grinding mills are utilised.
proportion of grains above 45 microns. Historically
Linda Hills in a paper to the IEEE conference,

Jacksonville, 2002 quotes the following relationship
for the burnability of cement raw mix:
white cement raw mix might be ground to a residue

of less than five per cent on a 90 micron sieve,
however this causes problems of high dust loss from
CaO1400C =[0.343(LSF-93) + 2.74(SR-2.3)] +
modern kilns fitted with suspension preheaters. The
[0.83Q45 + 0.10C125 + 0.39R45]
trend is therefore to coarser grinding of the raw mix.
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The second is to improve the burnability by the
not be able to produce sufficient raw mix to feed
addition of mineralisers to the raw mix to promote
these kilns. Most modern white cement factories
the combination into the clinker minerals in the
therefore use hard forged media and linings in their
white cement kiln. Addition of fluorspar (calcium
raw grinding mills and accept a low level of
fluoride, CaF2) to achieve this mineralisation is

common in white cement raw mixes. In grey cement
contamination of the mix from the steel grinding
there has been growing interest in the use of mixed
reduction of approximately one per cent in the
fluoride and sulphate mineralisers to produce a
reflectance or Y-value of the final product white
mineralised clinker with enhanced strength
cement.
development characteristics. In white cement
parts. This contamination of the raw mix leads to a
The poor burnability of white cement raw mix
manufacture the addition of fluoride mineralisers,
and the need to minimise the coarse particles in the
either alone or mixed with sulphate, is intended to
mix means that vertical mills employing compression
reduce the thermal energy consumption of the white
grinding are ideally suited to raw grinding these
cement kiln and/or boost the output from the kiln,
materials. Vertical mills can also produce the high
rather than to produce a mineralised clinker.
quantities of raw mix required for the modern high
Traditionally contamination of the white cement
capacity white kilns. These reasons explain the
raw mix during grinding was avoided by using mills
decision taken by Sinai White to install a vertical mill
with fused alumina ceramic media and linings. This
for raw grinding.
strategy continues to be pursued by some white

cement companies, however mills with ceramic
Kiln burning
media and liners are much less efficient and
As with grey cement the kiln is the heart of the
productive than mills with steel media and liners, or
white cement manufacturing process. Kilns of all
vertical mills using compression grinding. The most
process types are used for white cement
modern white cement kilns have capacities of
manufacture, examples being the long wet kilns used
1500tpd and above. Mills with ceramic media would
by Aalborg in Denmark, long dry kilns used by TXI at
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purity of the raw materials the alkali content in the

kiln feed is low and there is insufficient alkali present
in the kilns to balance the sulphate derived from the
fuels. Large excesses of sulphate over alkalis can lead
to very hard dense coatings in the preheaters and
particularly difficult ring formations in the inlet
sections of the kilns. These rings act as dams for the
hot feed exiting the preheater into the kiln and can
lead to spillage of the feed through the seals at the
Riverside in California, various European cement
inlet of the kiln. These spillages of preheated kiln
companies using grate preheater kilns including Secil
feed at over 1000C represent a considerable danger
at Patias and Cemex Espna at Buol, many
to personnel and the kilns have to be stopped to
suspension preheater kilns throughout the Middle
shoot away the rings.
East and precalciner kilns used by imsa at Mersin

and Sinai White.
These interruptions in operation result in

significant loss of production. Ras Al Khaimah is
The adaptations of the kilns for white cement
reported to have added feldspars to its raw mix to
manufacture can again be broken down into (i) steps
increase the alkali content and balance the sulphur
to avoid contamination, (ii) methods of maximising
input from its fuels in order to avoid such operational
the whiteness in the process, and (iii) responses to
problems in its kilns. There is no doubt that the
the process changes introduced to maximise the
slightly reducing combustion conditions induced in
whiteness.
the burning zone of white cement kilns will
Great efforts are expended to use pure, iron free
exacerbate these problems as the volatility of the
raw materials to produce the raw mix for the kiln
sulphates in the clinker will be enhanced. In extreme
and the same attention must be paid to the fuels
cases this may mean that an alkali bypass needs to
used to fire the kiln. Coal is unsuitable due to the
be installed to reduce the recirculating sulphates,
iron content of the ash that will be entrained in the
however these bypasses are much less effective in
clinker imparting a grey colour. Traditionally the most
removing sulphate than they are with chlorides.
common fuels for white cement kilns have therefore
The other main potential source of potential
been natural gas and fuel oil, neither of which have
contamination in the white kiln is from the refractory
any ash content. Anecdotally there are stories of
used to line the kilns and protect the kiln shell from
purple cement being produced when white kilns
the extreme temperatures in the burning zone.
were fired with crude oil or Orimulsion with high
Magnesite-chrome based refractories must be
vanadium contents, however these are isolated
avoided as chromium compounds impart bright
accounts. In general fuel oil and gas are safe fuels
green colours to the clinker. These problems are
for white cement kilns. In the competitive
avoided by lining the burning zones of white cement
Mediterranean markets Cemex Espna and imsa
kilns with magnesia spinel linings. The high alumina
are firing their white kilns with 100 per cent
and insulating refractories used in the other sections
petroleum coke to minimise their thermal energy
of the kilns present no problems of contamination of
costs. The new imsa line at Mersin includes an SLC-
the clinker.
D (separate-line calciner downdraft) from FLS
Two principal strategies are employed to
featuring extended residence time of the fuel in the
maximise the whiteness of the clinker in kiln. These
calciner and combustion in pure air to promote the
are to burn in a slightly reducing atmosphere and
efficient burning of petroleum coke.
subsequently to quench cool the clinker. The
The sulphur contents of fuel oil, natural gas and
intention of burning in a reducing atmosphere is to
particularly petroleum coke can present a process
reduce the traces of iron present in the clinker into
problems in white cement kilns. Due to the high
ferrous oxide, FeO, rather than ferric oxide, Fe2O3.
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FeO enters into solid solution in the C3S mineral
clinker at the kiln outlet as it falls into the quencher.
meaning that no C4AF is present in white clinker
These quenchers are simply inclined water baths
burnt in reducing conditions. The FeO imparts the
equipped with a screw conveyor to lift the quenched
characteristic light green colour to white cement
clinker out of the bath and onto a metal clinker
clinker. The purpose of quench cooling the clinker is
conveyor. As the clinker falling into the water bath is
to freeze the clinker minerals in their high
at a temperature in excess of 1200C massive
temperature forms and prevent any re-oxidation of
amounts of super-heated steam are generated
the FeO into Fe2O3 during the cooling of the

clinker. Various means are used to accomplish these
presenting a considerable safety hazard. This super-
twin strategies of reductive burning and quench
quencher to safeguard the personnel working in this
cooling. These are among the most important
area of the kiln. The water flow to the quenchers is
distinguishing features of the technology of white
controlled to match the production rate of the kiln,
cement manufacture from the different equipment
however there can be occasions when the clinker
suppliers.
exiting the quenchers contains up to 15 per cent
In modern kilns a further process modification is
heated steam must be ducted away from the
moisture, and therefore some mechanism for drying
required because the clinker is burnt in reducing
the clinker must be provided to avoid problems of
conditions and then quenched. In a grey cement kiln
lump formation in clinker storage.
the combustion air for the main burner and
An interesting variant of the bleaching flame has
precalciner is preheated in the cooler raising the
been reported from Russia (Zubehin, Moscow, 1979)
temperature of the secondary and tertiary air to in
where the clinker is first cooled in a converter gas
excess of 1000C with the most efficient modern
before quenching. The converter gas is produced by
coolers. In a white cement kiln the clinker is quench
a combination of natural gas and steam from the
cooled with water meaning that there is insufficient
reaction CH4 + H2O _ CO + 3H2, with both the

carbon monoxide and hydrogen products of the
heat remaining in the clinker to adequately preheat

the combustion air. Other strategies therefore have
to be employed to achieve this and these are again
reaction being highly reducing and effective in

converting Fe3+ to Fe2+. White cement factories
key distinguishing aspects of white cement
generate an abundance of steam from their
manufacturing technology.
quenching systems therefore generating this
In older kilns reductive burning can be achieved

by directing a secondary bleaching flame onto the
converter gas would not present major problems.

Modern kilns employ more sophisticated means
to achieve these
objectives. Recuperators,
Table 26
heat exchangers or hot
Inputs
kJ/kg clinker
Thermal energy in fuel
4950
Sensible heat in feed, fuel, quenching water & air
200
5150
TOTAL
air generators are used

to preheat the
combustion air to above
200C, thereby
stabilising the flame and
Outputs
Heat of clinker formation
Preheater exhaust gases
Quenching
Clinker
Dust
Radiation
TOTAL
80
kJ/kg clinker
1850
1125
1100
160
75
840
5150
the combustion, and

helping to minimise the
thermal energy
consumption of the kiln.
A key difference from
grey cement kiln
operation is that this
flow of combustion air
can be controlled and matched

to the amount of fuel being
burnt on the main burner or
precalciner. With a grey cement
kiln only coarse control of the
flow of secondary and tertiary
air is possible via the main
Quarterly
2003
2003
ICR
induced draft fan speed and the

oxygen levels at the kiln inlet
and preheater exit. On a white
kiln the operator is able to finetune the flow of combustion air
and ensure a slight deficiency at
the main burner and therefore a
slightly reducing kiln
atmosphere in the burning
zone. Using a bleaching flame
is therefore no longer required.
On kilns fitted with electrostatic precipitators for
major advantage of this partial quenching is that a

dryer is no longer required as the residual
de-dusting the ability to operate the main burner in
temperature in the clinker is more than sufficient to
reducing conditions can be constrained by the
ensure the clinker is completely dry before entering
danger of CO entering the precipitator and the need
the clinker storage. The residual heat in the clinker
to switch off the high voltage supply to avoid
can also be used to preheat the combustion air for
explosions. On kilns fitted with bag filters for de-
the main burner stabilising the flame and reducing
dusting this is not a concern.
the fuel consumption of the kiln.
With all white cement kilns it is vital to adjust
With all processes some method of preventing
the main burner to burn as close to the nose ring
the steam from quenching being drawn into the kiln
and the discharge into the quencher as possible. This
has to be provided. If not the flame would be cooled
ensures that there is no cooling zone or lower
and the volume of gas to be drawn out of the kiln
transition zone in the kiln and is vital to ensure that
would increase. These combined effects would mean
the FeO does not re-oxidise into Fe2O3 while
the fuel consumption would rise and the output of
cooling in the kiln. It is reported that if the clinker is
the kiln would fall. In the FLS and BSH processes
allowed to cool by 100C in the kiln before falling
steam vents are provided to remove the steam, while
into the quencher then the brightness can be
in the Onoda process the steam from the first
reduced by four to five per cent.
quencher is ducted to the dryer via de-dusting
The quenching arrangements also vary between
cyclones. These ducting systems for super-heated
the kilns from different suppliers. In the Onoda
steam are not found in grey cement kilns and are
process the clinker is fully quenched to less than
therefore a unique aspect of the white process
100C by immersion in water baths. In the FLS and
requiring particular safety precautions. Care must
BSH processes the clinker is quenched to 600C by
also be taken to insulate the ducts and ensure that
falling through a curtain of water sprays. Subsequent
the temperature remains above the dew point of the
cooling of the clinker to less than 200C is
gas. If not, the combination of condensation on the
completed in a grate or rotary cooler. Quench
walls of ducts, and the clinker dust carried along
cooling to 600C is sufficient to ensure that the
with the steam, will mean the ducts quickly become
clinker minerals are frozen in their high temperature
restricted by coatings with the consistency of
form, and that FeO will not re-oxidise to Fe2O3. A
concrete.
81
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2003

2003
In the Onoda process the preheating of the
is a dedicated white kiln with single preheater behind
combustion air is achieved by extracting gas at
kiln and SLC-D calciner with associated preheater
700C from the stage 3 cyclone, which is then
and double stage heat exchanger. A rotary cooler is
passed to a two-stage recuperator which preheats
used on this kiln, with steam exhaust system.
combustion air to 200C. This stabilises the flame
As a consequence of the low burnability of the
and reduces the thermal energy consumption of the
white cement raw mix and quenching the clinker the
process. In the BSH process, as installed at the Saudi
thermal energy consumption of a white cement kiln
White factory at Umm Al Ghirban, a heat exchanger
is much higher than a grey cement kiln. A typical
is installed in the downcomer to the induced draft
heat balance is presented in Table 26.
fan. This preheats the combustion air for the
The high burning zone temperatures required in
precalciner. Cooling air from the rotary cooler is
a white cement kiln inevitably lead to high kiln shell
dedusted in cyclones and blown to the kiln hood to
temperatures and radiation losses. To alleviate this a
provide preheated secondary air for the main burner.
two-layer refractory lining can be installed in the
Hot air generators are also installed in both these
burning zone with an insulating fireclay backing
combustion air ducts to boost the temperature and
against the kiln shell and a working lining of
for start-up situations.
magnesia spinel. These two layer linings are more
The new FLS kiln recently commissioned at Sinai
complex and time consuming to install and require
White is a four-stage preheater plus calciner, with
good workmanship to avoid relative movement
double stage heat exchanger for preheating
between the two layers. If this relative movement
combustion air, and grate cooler. The second FLS kiln
occurs the much heavier working lining is likely to
at Mersin was commissioned in November 1999 and
grind the insulating layer away, leading to the whole

lining collapsing catastrophically. A further
drawback is that the working refractory is
itself insulated from the cooling effects of
the shell and this means that liquids and
gases from the kiln charge penetrate much
more deeply into the lining and can lead
to problems of densification and spalling.
As a consequence of the much higher
thermal energy consumption of a white
cement kiln the specific output of the kiln
is much lower than for a grey cement kiln.
Typical length to diameter ratio for a
modern kiln with preheater is 15:1. When
equipped with a precalciner the specific
output is approximately 50 per cent of a
grey kiln of equivalent dimensions ranging
from 2.5tpd/m3 to 3.0tpd/m3 of the kiln
volume inside the refractory lining. Where
the kiln is not equipped with a precalciner
the specific output falls to between 1.0
and 1.5tpd/m3.
A further consequence of the poor
burnability of the white cement raw mix
and the high thermal energy consumption
of the kiln, is that the burning zone
82

2003
temperature is higher, and the volatile cycles which
ICR
Quarterly
2003
As indicated in the introduction all the elements
build up in the kiln will be more intense than in a
of the first row of the transition metals reduce
grey cement kiln. The purity of the raw materials and
whiteness when they are incorporated in the clinker.
the normally low alkali content suppresses these
However, the effect is not additive when more than
cycles, but in cases where there is higher alkali or
one element is present. Traces of titanium can lead
chloride in the raw mix problems of build-up in the
to an increase in whiteness in the presence of iron.
preheaters can be expected. The kaolins mined in
The explanation of the colouring effects lies in the
the Sinai peninsula contain sufficient chloride to
mineralogy and crystal structure of the clinker.
cause these problems and any white cement kilns
The colouring effect is determined by the
operating with these kaolins need to bypass a
individual metal, the metal-oxygen bond strength
proportion of the kiln exit gases to avoid blockages
and coordination number. Each metal has a certain
in the preheaters.
colouring potential and this will be higher if the
No discussion of white cement kilns would be
metal is in a tetrahedral rather than an octahedral
complete without mention of those kilns that swing
coordination site in the crystal. The coordination site
between grey and white cement production. The
depends on the strength of the metal-oxygen bond
most famous example is the imsa kiln 1 at Mersin,
relative to the other metals present. The transition
where a 12-day clean-down is reported to be
metals with the strongest metal-oxygen bonds will
necessary when switching from grey to white
be in tetrahedral sites and those with the weaker
cement production. The major challenge in designing
bonds will be in the octahedral sites. Metal-oxygen
such a swing kiln are the arrangements to quench
bond strengths decrease in the order
cool the white clinker and cool the grey clinker with
Ti>V>Fe>Mn>Cr. Traces of titanium are beneficial
air in a conventional cooler. The FLS process with
because the titanium occupies the tetrahedral
water sprays in the cooler throat to quench the
coordination sites forcing the iron to take up
clinker before it falls onto the grate of a Folax cooler
octahedral sites in the crystal structure, thereby
are the means used at Mersin. For grey cement
reducing the colouring effect of iron. Vanadium has
clinker the water sprays are turned off and the duct
the same effect on the coordination state of iron, but
venting the steam from the cooler throat closed to
does not improve whiteness because the vanadium
allow the secondary air from the cooler to be drawn
itself is more strongly colouring than iron.
into the kiln.

Other swing kilns get round the problem by not
The reason for the lower colouring effect of

ferrous iron, Fe2+, compared with ferric iron, Fe3+,
quenching the white clinker at all. Inevitably this
is also connected to the iron-oxygen bond strengths
detracts from the whiteness of the clinker, which is
and the coordination state of the iron in the clinker
not up to international standards. However in

localised markets such as Australia kilns operated in
mineral crystal structure. The iron-oxygen bond

strength is lower for Fe2+ than Fe3+ due to the
this way successfully produce off-white or antique-
lower oxidation state. This means that Fe2+ takes up
white cement. These can be regarded as

intermediate products between grey and white
octahedral sites in the crystal structure and is less

colouring, while Fe3+ takes up tetrahedral sites and
cement.
is therefore more intensely colouring.
An inevitable consequence of quenching the

white cement clinker is that the clinker structure is
Finish grinding
shattered and a high proportion of fineness is
After the kiln the potential whiteness of the cement
generated. Clinker from a modern white cement kiln
has been determined by the raw mix composition
can often resemble light green sugar. This shattering
and the processing in the kiln. The steps to be taken
of the clinker structure also means that the clinker is
in finish grinding are to avoid any possible
generally softer than grey cement clinker and easier
contamination of the cement which might detract
to grind in the finish mills.
from the final colour and some fine tuning to
83
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2003

2003
maximise the whiteness potential of the

cement.
The white cement clinker is ground
together with gypsum to retard the
hydration of the C3A clinker mineral. Use
of white gypsum and avoiding any
reduction of the whiteness from this
source is the major means to avoid
contamination. Some cement companies
also employ ceramic media in their finish
mills, however most companies are able
to produce bright cement using hard
forged steel media and liners in their
finish mills.
The only means that the whiteness potential of
kiln and a very low burnability for the raw mix

demanding the addition of other fluxes and
the cement can be maximised is by the fineness of
mineralisers. This sulphate resisting white cement is
grinding of the cement. The white clinker is normally
unique to Aalborg and has been successfully used as
light green in colour but as it is ground it takes on a
a differentiating factor to secure niches in the white
bright white colour, with the finer the grinding the
cement market. The applications for a sulphate
brighter the whiteness. White cements are normally
resisting white cement are strictly limited as white
ground to above 3600 Blaine for this reason.
concrete is not usually used in environments
There is no need to grind the cement to this
susceptible to attack by sulphate bearing ground
level of fineness to enhance the compressive
waters. However there have been occasions when
strength development as this is inherently
architects have specified sulphate resisting white
significantly higher than for grey cement. This is
cement for prestige structures which might be
ensured by the very high level of the main strength
susceptible to attack by seawater.
developing calcium silicate minerals in white cement.

The typical decorative applications of white cement
Quality control
do not demand the high compressive strength that is
The quality control regime of a white cement factory
required of cements being used for structural
must have the same focus as the special adaptations
concrete. The high strength of white cements is
of the grey cement process required for white
therefore a feature that is not adequately recognised
cement manufacturing. These being (i) avoiding
or utilised by the market.
contamination, and (ii) ensuring that the whiteness
When discussing the hydraulic properties or

applications of white cement the unique sulphate
of the product is maximised in the process.

Avoiding contamination that might detract from
resisting white cement produced by Aalborg must be
the whiteness of the final product is largely a
mentioned. A sulphate resisting white cement must
question of continuously monitoring all the inputs to
have an even higher calcium silicate content than

ordinary white cements, as the C4AF must be
the white cement process to ensure that Fe2O3

content does not rise. Steps must also be taken to
minimised to satisfy the whiteness requirements, and
ensure that no exotic transitional metals are
the sulphate resisting specification means that the
introduced which might have disproportionate
Al2O3 content must be reduced to ensure the C3A

mineral content is less than four per cent. Very low
colouring effects on the product. Rigorous testing of
Fe2O3 and Al2O3 means that the silica modulus of

the sulphate resisting white cement raw mix must
rise to around 12. This means virtually no flux in the
84
all the raw materials and fuels is the correct way to

achieve this.
In establishing a characteristic Fe2O3 content
and whiteness it is important to establish this at a

2003
ICR
Quarterly
2003
level which can be consistently provided to the
is made to EN197-1 specifications, normally as pure
market. White cement is used in decorative
Portland cement (CEM I) to strength class 42.5 or
applications and a consistent but slightly lower
52.5. CEM II products, with limestone or other
whiteness is much preferable to high but variable
suitable fillers, are also produced mainly to strength
whiteness. Where an architect is constructing a
classes 32.5 and 42.5.
major prestige project using decorative panels of
I According to USA standard ASTM C-150.
white concrete any variation between panels will be
Several special features that can be used to
much apparent than a consistent slightly lower
enhance product ranges for specific market
overall whiteness.
applications include:
Ensuring the whiteness is maximised in the
I Sulphate resistance (with low C3A content)
process involves close control of fineness at the raw
I High early strength (ASTM Type III or European
and finish grinding stages but is most important in
strength class R)
the kiln. Firing in a slightly reducing atmosphere by
I Low alkali content
close control of the combustion air availability at the
I Low shrinkage
main burner, ensuring no cooling of the clinker in the
I Water repellent and waterproof
kiln and optimal quenching of the clinker, are the
I Masonry cement
keys to producing consistent high whiteness. Clinker
I Glass fibre reinforced cement (GFRC).
quality control must focus on the whiteness of the
For leading white cement producers, it is
clinker and the burning of the kiln must make this
important that products are manufactured according
the first priority.
to internationally recognised quality and
Other aspects of quality control such as raw mix
environmental systems EN 9002 and EN 14001.
proportioning and blending and control of the

hydraulic performance of the cement do not differ
from the techniques applied for grey cement.
Grinding aids and additives

The same range of additives used for grey cement
can be used in white cement to enhance grinding
efficiency and product performance.
The main purpose of usage is to have a
grinding aid effect to:
I increase mill output
I lower production costs (lower kWh/t, etc)
I improve flowability, reduce packset
However, there are a number of cases where
there are other special needs and applications:
I increase in early strength
I increase in all strengths
I increase in filler content
I longer set time
I reduced false/flash set behaviour.
Standards and specifications

White cement is made to the same national
standard specifications as grey cement:
I According to European standards white cement
85

2003
ICR
Quarterly
2003
Appendices
Appendix I
Production base by
region and country
Appendix II
Consumption by region
and country
87
ICR
Quarterly
2003

2003
Appendix I - Production base by region

Country
Plant
Company (ownership)
Process
2002 Est
Capacity
(000tpa)
2002 Est
Production
(000t)
indep = independent
govt = government
ASIA
Bangladesh
Bangladesh
India
India
Indonesia
88
Jessore
Nitol
Nagaur
Rajashree Nagar
Citeureup
Nitol (indep)
Nitol (indep)
JK White (JK Group)
Grasim White (Grasim)
PT Indocement
(Heidelberg)
Onoda (Taiheiyo)
RCI (Aalborg)
Anwarzaib (indep)
Maple Leaf (indep)
Union Corp (indep)
Taiwan Oil (indep)
Universal (indep)
Siam White (Siam C.)
National Cement (govt)
National Cement (govt)
Japan
Malaysia
Pakistan
Pakistan
South Korea
Taiwan
Thailand
Thailand
Vietnam
Vietnam
Subtotal
Kitakyushu
Perak
Bholari
Iskanderabad
Chongju
Tung Shan
Saraburi
Somkiat
Haiphong
Unknown
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
Anqing, Anhui
Chichou Julong, Anhui
Chongqing Tenghui, Chongqing
Chongqing Feixue, Chongqing
Wuping White, Fujian
Daxinshan, Guangdong
Guangzhou Huihua, Guangdong
Shenzhen Dapeng, Guangdong
Guangxi Heng, Guangxi Huang
Baoding Deyuan, Hebei
Mudanjiang Duocai, Heilongjiang
Hebei Xinghua, Hubei
Hubei Hongqi, Hubei
Hunan Loudi, Hunan
Nanjing Yinjia, Jiangsu
Suzhou Guanghua, Jiangsu
Nanjing Kunyuan, Jiangsu
Jiangxi Fenyi, Jiangxi
Yejin White, Jiangxi
Jiangxi Shanggao, Jiangxi
Jiangxi Xinfeng, Jiangxi
Chifeng Danfeng, Neimenggu
Grinding 20
Grinding 40
Dry
300
Dry
400
Dry
200
Dry
Dry
Dry
Wet
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
300
250
50
36
170
20
70
140
80
100
2176
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
100
80
30
20
50
50
30
30
250
80
35
80
22
30
150
100
100
50
300
15
15
60
0
20
190
280
130
80
60
45
36
100
1
60
140
70
80
1292

2003
Country
Plant
Company (ownership)
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
Ningxia Shizuishan, Ninxsia

Zibuo Yunhe, Shandong
Zhaoyuan Jinhua, Shangdong
Wendeng Dafang, Shangdong
Luoping City, Shangdong
Shanghai White, Shanghai City
Shanghai Baolong, Shanghai City
Licheng Zhenhua, Shangxi
Shanxi Yao, Shanxi
Guanghan, Sichuan
Xinjiang Tunhe, Xinjiang
Kunming, Yunnan
Yuyao Zhenxiang, Zhejiang
Changxing Huxing, Zhejiang
Changxing Xingming, Zhejiang
Zhejiang Lanxi, Zhejiang
Unspecified others - 70 plants
China
Subtotal
EUROPE
Belgium
235
Bulgaria
Denmark
France
France
Germany
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Slovakia
Spain
Spain
Spain
Spain
Spain
276
Spain
Subtotal
Unlicensed plant
Process
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
2002 Est
Capacity
(000tpa)
30
90
50
40
30
80
50
80
30
50
50
30
50
40
30
15
400
2652
1500
4152
ICR
Quarterly
2003
2002 Est
Production
(000t)
1500
1200
2700
Harmignies
CBR (HeidelbergCement)
Wet
200
Devnya
Rrdal
Le Teil
Cruas
Amoneburg
Civitavecchia
Ghigiano
Rezzato
Tavernola
Wejherowo
Pataias
Turda
Shcurovsky
Rozhnik
Sagunto
Villanova
Tudela Veguin
Buol
El Alto
Italcementi
Dry
Aalborg
Wet
Lafarge
Dry
Calcia (Italcementi)
Dry
Dyckerhoff
Dry
Italcementi
Grinding
Colacem (indep)
Dry
Italcementi
Semi-dry
Lafarge
Grinding
Holcim
Wet
Secil (indep)
Semi-dry
Holcim
Dry
Alfa (Holcim)
Dry
Holcim
Dry
Asland (Lafarge)
Dry
Valenciana (Cemex)
Dry
SA Tudela Veguin (ind) Wet
Valenciana (Cemex)
Dry
Cementos Portland (ind)
50
820
280
250
75
100
100
250
80
40
110
100
100
150
150
100
200
310
Wet
3
575
270
230
75
0
90
285
75
0
98
60
60
90
90
120
130
250
280
San Vicente
Valenciana (Cemex)
454
4149
380
3389
Dry
89
ICR
Quarterly
2003

2003
Country
Plant
MEDITERRANEAN
Egypt
Cairo
Egypt
El Menya
Egypt
Sinai
Greece
Volos
Greece
Elefsis
Lebanon
Chekka
Morocco
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkey
Turkey
Subtotal
Bouskoura
Sotacib
Adana
Trakya
Mersin
Company (ownership)
Process
2002 Est
Capacity
(000tpa)
2002 Est
Production
(000t)
Asec-Helwan (indep)
Asec-Helwan (indep)
Sinai White (Aalborg)
Heracles (Lafarge)
Titan
Socit Libanais
(Holcim)
Lafarge
Sotacib (govt)
Adana (Oyak)
Set (Italcementi)
imsa (Sabanci)
Wet
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
90
220
410
90
130
155
50
180
200
60
110
80
Grinding
80
Dry
200
Dry
60
Wet
90
Dry
1100
2625
60
248
40
70
580
1678
MIDDLE EAST
Iran
Abali
Iran
Benvid
Iran
Neyriz
Iran
Saveh
Iran
Uremieh
Iraq
Fluja
Jordan
Khaldeya
Kuwait
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Subtotal
Shemal (indep)
Wet
Benvid (indep)
Dry
Neyriz (indep)
Dry
Saveh (indep)
Dry
Uremieh (indep)
Dry
Iraqi Cement (govt)
Dry
Arab Company for
Dry
Cement (indep)
Shuaiba
Kuwait Cement (indep) Grinding
Al-Muzahimiyah Saudi White (indep)
Dry
Ras-Al-Khaimah RAK White (indep)
Dry
NORTH AMERICA
Canada
Woodstock
USA
York, PA
USA
Waco, TX
USA
Subtotal
Crestmore, CA
LATIN AMERICA
Bolivia
Emisa
Brazil
Pedro Leopoldo
Brazil
Iraja
Colombia
Bogota
90
Federal White (indep) Dry

Lehigh White (Cemex, Wet
HeidelbergCement,
Aalborg)
Lehigh White (Cemex, Wet
HeidelbergCem, Aalborg)
Riverside (TXI)
Dry
Soboce (indep)
Dry
Camargo Correa (indep)
Votorantim
Dry
Hercules (indep)
Wet
70
180
150
350
180
290
116
190
210
450
21861289
60
40
98
230
135
0
113
80
153
380
500
100
300
90
90
95
110
800
100
585
10
Dry
80
30
3
110 40
75
0

2003
Country
Plant
Company (ownership)
Process
Colombia
Puerto Nare
Cuba
Siguaney
Cementos del Nare

(Grupo Argos)
Cementos Cubanos
(govt)
HDCB (Cemex)
Cemex
La Cruz Azul (indep)
Cemex
Cemex
CP Blanc de Mex
(Lafarge)
Agregados Calcareos
(indep)
Nacional de Cementos
(indep)
Venezolana (Cemex)
Dominican Rep Santo Domingo

Mexico
Ciudad Valles
Mexico
Lagunas
Mexico
Monterrey
Mexico
Tolteca
Mexico
Vito
Peru
Lima
Uruguay
Venezuela
Subtotal
TOTAL
Venezolana
ICR
Quarterly
2003
2002 Est
Capacity
(000tpa)
2002 Est
Production
(000t)
Wet
250
180
Wet
100
30
Grinding
Dry
Ddry
Dry
Dry
Dry
28
165
120
100
190
70
15
160
100
100
185
70
Wet
25
10
Wet
10
Wet
75
1363
70
1046
17,451
11,979
91
ICR
Quarterly
2003

2003
Appendix II - Consumption by region

Country
Population
2002
(millions)
WESTERN EUROPE
Austria
8.100
Belgium
10.300
Denmark
5.400
Finland
5.200
France
59.500
Germany
82.400
Iceland
0.300
Ireland
3.800
Italy
58.100
Luxembourg
0.500
Malta
0.400
Netherlands
16.100
Norway
4.500
Portugal
10.400
Spain
41.300
Sweden
8.900
Switzerland
7.300
UK
60.400
Subtotal
382.900
CENTRAL EUROPE
Albania
3.100
Bosnia-Herzegovina3.400
Bulgaria
7.800
Croatia
4.300
Czech Republic 10.300
Hungary
10.100
Macedonia
2.000
Poland
38.600
Romania
22.400
Slovakia
5.400
Slovenia
2.000
Yugoslavia
10.700
Subtotal
120.100
EASTERN EUROPE
Armenia
3.800
Azerbaijan
8.200
Belarus
9.900
Estonia
1.400
92
Grey consumption
Total
Per capita
(Mta)
(kg)
4.200
5.450
1.400
1.530
20.400
28.650
0.130
4.350
40.250
0.530
na
5.350
1.270
10.500
44.250
1.600
4.075
14.350
188.285
519
529
259
294
343
348
433
1145
693
1060
White consumption
Total
Per capita % of grey
(000t)
(kg)
3.1
6.8
10.2
3.8
8.1
3.3
6.7
3.9
6.9
10.0
25.0
4.3
8.9
10.1
25.4
5.6
4.1
1.9
7.4
0.60
1.28
3.93
1.31
2.35
0.96
1.54
0.34
0.99
0.94
332
282
1010
1071
180
558
238
492
25
70
55
20
480
275
2
15
400
5
10
70
40
105
1050
50
30
115
2817
1.650
1.650
1.550
2.100
3.650
3.900
0.500
11.250
4.600
1.650
1.300
2.500
36.300
532
485
199
488
354
386
250
291
205
306
650
234
302
10
10
15
10
30
30
3
60
40
20
10
5
243
3.2
2.9
1.9
2.3
2.9
3.0
1.5
1.6
1.8
3.7
5.0
0.5
2.0
0.61
0.61
0.97
0.48
0.82
0.77
0.60
0.53
0.87
1.21
0.77
0.20
0.67
0.260
1.100
1.500
0.290
68
134
152
207
1
3
5
1
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.7
0.38
0.27
0.33
0.34
1.31
3.15
1.00
2.37
3.13
0.74
0.80
1.50

2003
Country
Population
2002
(millions)
Grey consumption
Total
Per capita
(Mta)
(kg)
Georgia
4.400
Kazakhstan
14.800
5.000
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
2.300
Lithuania
3.500
Moldova
4.300
Russia
143.500
Tajikistan
6.300
Turkmenistan
5.600
Ukraine
48.200
Uzbekistan
25.400
Subtotal
286.600
0.380
2.315
0.320
0.305
0.420
0.480
35.000
na
0.900
5.750
3.200
52.220
86
156
64
133
120
112
244
TOTAL EUROPE 789.600

MEDITERRANEAN
Algeria
31.400
Egypt
71.200
Libya
5.400
Morocco
29.700
Tunisia
9.800
Cyprus
0.900
Turkey
67.300
Greece
11.000
Israel
6.600
Lebanon
4.300
Subtotal
237.600
AFRICA - excl North Africa
Angola
12.700
Benin
6.600
Botswana
1.600
Burkina Faso
12.600
Burundi
6.700
Cameroon
16.200
Cape Verde
0.500
CAF
3.600
Chad
9.000
Comoros
0.600
Congo
3.200
Congo (DemRep)55.200
Djibouti
0.700
Equat. Guinea
0.500
Eritrea
4.500
ICR
Quarterly
2003
White consumption
Total
(000t)
(kg)
0.2
0.3
0.0
0.4
0.3
0.5
0.7
0.0
0.4
0.2
0.1
0.5
0.26
0.22
0.00
0.33
0.24
0.42
0.30
161
119
126
182
1
5
0
1
1
2
105
0
2
10
3
140
276.805
351
3200
4.1
1.16
10.000
27.400
3.300
8.550
4.550
1.190
25.000
10.200
4.470
2.500
97.160
318
385
611
288
464
1322
371
927
677
581
409
150
280
60
130
125
10
350
120
130
50
1405
4.8
3.9
11.1
4.4
12.8
11.1
5.2
10.9
19.7
11.6
5.9
1.50
1.02
1.82
1.52
2.75
0.84
1.40
1.18
2.91
2.00
1.45
0.700
0.610
0.510
0.300
0.050
0.900
0.170
na
na
0.045
0.310
0.190
0.080
0.080
0.170
55
92
319
24
7
56
340
2
1
2
1
0
5
2
2
1
1
2
1
0
0
0
0.2
0.2
1.3
0.1
0.0
0.3
4.0
0.6
0.1
1.7
0.6
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.29
0.16
0.39
0.33
0.00
0.56
1.18
75
97
3
114
160
38
0.22
0.17
0.09
0.27
2.22
0.65
0.53
0.00
0.00
0.00
93
ICR
Quarterly
2003
Country
94

2003
Population
2002
(millions)
Grey consumption
Total
Per capita
(Mta)
(kg)
Ethiopia
67.700
Gabon
1.200
Gambia
1.500
Ghana
20.200
Guinea
8.400
Guinea-Bissau
1.300
Ivory Coast
16.800
Kenya
31.100
Lesotho
2.200
Liberia
3.300
Madagascar
16.900
Malawi
10.900
Maldives
0.300
Mali
11.300
Mauritania
2.600
Mauritius
1.200
Mozambique 19.600
Namibia
1.800
Niger
11.600
Nigeria
129.900
Reunion
0.700
Rwanda
7.400
Senegal
9.900
Seychelles
0.100
Sierra Leone
5.600
Somalia
7.800
South Africa
43.600
Sudan
32.600
Swaziland
1.100
Tanzania
37.200
Togo
5.300
Uganda
24.700
Zambia
10.000
Zimbabwe
12.300
Subtotal
692.300
1.000
0.259
0.115
1.850
0.420
na
0.960
1.120
na
0.140
0.280
0.200
na
0.650
0.200
0.680
0.540
na
0.120
7.500
na
0.180
1.525
0.045
0.140
0.100
8.512
0.840
0.200
0.880
0.520
0.540
0.300
0.650
34.581
MIDDLE EAST
Bahrain
0.700
Iran
65.600
Iraq
23.600
Jordan
5.300
Kuwait
2.300
Oman
2.600
Palestine
3.500
0.500
25.100
6.600
2.500
2.750
1.635
1.450
15
216
77
92
50
White consumption
Total
(000t)
(kg)
24
154
450
25
13
195
26
182
24
98
22
30
53
50
5
4
1
5
2
0
1
5
0
1
5
2
4
1
1
10
1
1
1
30
5
0
10
2
1
0
20
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
146
0.1
3.3
0.7
0.2
0.2
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.0
0.3
0.3
0.2
13.3
0.1
0.4
8.3
0.1
0.6
0.1
0.2
7.1
0.0
1.0
20.0
0.2
0.0
0.5
0.0
0.9
0.1
0.2
0.0
0.1
0.1
0.2
714
383
280
472
1196
629
414
20
420
50
67
60
30
10
28.6
6.4
2.1
12.6
26.1
11.5
2.9
57
36
42
17
18
58
77
567
28
10
58
0.50
1.54
0.87
0.27
0.48
0.10
0.45
0.71
1.79
1.00
0.15
0.50
1.47
0.19
0.83
0.40
0.00
0.66
4.44
0.71
0.00
0.23
0.12
0.50
0.23
0.19
0.19
0.33
0.15
0.42
4.00
1.67
0.76
2.68
2.18
1.83
0.69

2003
Country
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Syria
UAE
Yemen
Subtotal
Population
2002
(millions)
Grey consumption
Total
Per capita
(Mta)
(kg)
ICR
Quarterly
2003
White consumption
Total
(000t)
(kg)
0.600
24.000
17.200
3.500
18.600
167.500
1.150
18.600
4.900
6.000
1.930
73.115
1917
775
285
1714
104
437
20
300
110
120
20
1,227
33.3
12.5
6.4
34.3
1.1
7.3
1.74
1.61
2.24
2.00
1.04
1.68
OCEANIA
Australia
19.700
Fiji
0.900
French Polynesia 0.200
New Zealand
3.900
P. New Guinea 5.000
Solomon Islands 0.500
Subtotal
30.200
7.500
0.080
na
1.000
na
0.180
8.760
381
89
15
2
0
5
1
0
23
0.8
2.2
0.0
1.3
0.2
0.0
0.8
0.20
2.50
5
40
0
450
5
2
75
10
587
0.2
0.3
0.0
0.4
0.1
0.1
0.5
0.5
0.4
0.6
0.2
1.7
0.0
0.4
2.9
0.9
0.9
0.50
0.53
0.13
0.14
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.4
0.2
1.6
0.00
0.17
0.00
0.30
0.09
0.31
256
360
290
INDIAN SUBCONTINENT
Afghanistan
27.800
Bangladesh
133.600
Bhutan
0.900
India
1049.500
Myanmar
49.000
Nepal
23.900
Pakistan
143.500
Sri Lanka
18.900
Subtotal
1447.100
0.850
5.600
na
99.010
na
na
10.310
2.620
118.390
NORTH ASIA
Japan
127.400
N. Korea
23.200
S. Korea
48.400
Macau SAR
0.400
Mongolia
2.400
Hong Kong SAR 6.800
Taiwan
22.500
Subtotal
231.100
65.000
5.250
54.300
na
0.200
3.750
16.000
144.500
510
226
1122
83
551
711
625
80
5
80
0
1
20
20
206
SOUTH ASIA
Brunei
0.400
Cambodia
12.300
East Timor
0.800
Indonesia
217.000
Laos
5.500
Malaysia
24.400
0.240
0.600
0.070
27.100
1.140
13.000
600
49
88
125
207
533
0
1
0
80
1
40
31
42
94
72
139
82
0.50
0.00
0.26
0.59
0.71
0.45
0.73
0.38
0.50
0.12
0.10
0.15
95
ICR
Quarterly
2003

2003
Country
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam
Subtotal
80.000
4.200
62.600
79.700
486.900
Grey consumption
Total
Per capita
(Mta)
(kg)
White consumption
Total
(000t)
(kg)
10.880
3.800
22.610
18.000
97.440
136
905
361
226
200
30
20
90
150
412
0.4
4.8
1.4
1.9
0.8
0.28
0.53
0.40
0.83
0.42
Subtotal Asia (excl China)

2195.300
369.090
168
1228
0.6
0.33
China
1280.700
640.000
500
2,600
2.0
0.41
NORTH AMERICA
Canada
31.300
USA
287.400
Subtotal
318.700
8.620
111.258
119.878
275
387
376
100
1,200
1300
3.2
4.2
4.1
1.16
1.08
1.08
LATIN AMERICA
Argentina
36.500
Belize
0.300
Bolivia
8.800
Brazil
173.800
Caribbean
21.300
Chile
15.600
Colombia
43.800
Costa Rica
3.900
Cuba
11.300
Ecuador
13.000
El Salvador
6.600
Guatemala
12.100
Guyana
0.800
Honduras
6.700
Mexico
101.700
Nicaragua
5.400
Panama
2.900
Paraguay
6.000
Peru
26.700
Puerto Rico
3.900
Suriname
0.400
Uruguay
3.400
Venezuela
25.100
Subtotal
530.000
3.824
0.080
1.100
39.500
4.200
3.650
5.300
1.175
1.050
3.050
1.273
1.810
na
1.360
29.000
0.640
0.8
0.570
3.699
1.700
na
0.620
3.700
108.101
105
267
125
227
197
234
121
301
93
235
193
150
40
1
10
70
50
30
100
10
20
10
5
2
1.05
1.25
0.91
0.18
1.19
0.82
1.89
0.85
1.90
0.33
0.39
0.11
203
285
119
276
95
139
436
182
147
204
2
380
2
3
2
10
5
0
6
25
783
1.1
3.3
1.1
0.4
2.3
1.9
2.3
2.6
1.8
0.8
0.8
0.2
0.0
0.3
3.7
0.4
1.0
0.3
0.4
1.3
0.0
1.8
1.0
1.5
6,211.700
1,718.730
277
11,889
1.9
0.69
TOTAL
96
Population
2002
(millions)
0.15
1.31
0.31
0.38
0.35
0.27
0.29
0.97
0.68
0.72

2003
ICR
Quarterly
2003
Notes
97
ICR
Quarterly
2003

2003
Notes
98
CONTENTS
7
Introduction
Executive summary
13
39
World producers
49
World consumption
61
65
Trading
69
71
87
Appendices
EDITORIAL
Managing Editor: David Hargreaves
Editor: Chris Blasdale
Technical Editor: Dr Michael Clark
Production Editor: Muriel Bal
ADVERTISING
Gary Morton
DESIGN
Storm Creative Partnership
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Susan Hargreaves
TRADESHIP PUBLICATIONS LTD

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ICR

International Cement Review December 2003

The Global White Cement Report

The Global White Cement Report

The Global White Cement Report

The Global White Cement Report is published by

Tradeship Publications Ltd

Old Kings Head Court, 15 High Street, Dorking,

Tel. +44 (0) 1306 740363

Fax +44 (0) 1306 740660

The Global White Cement Report

World production base

The global white cement production base has a capacity of

A third of global production is manufactured by five producers. The

Marketing & promotion

A key constituent in a wide range of applications, white cement is

A quarter of white cement is traded across the globe. This chapter

Global industry outlook

The outlook for the international white cement industry is generally

White cement technology

Dr Michael Clark outlines the specific technological requirements in

Appendix I Production base by region and country.

The Global White Cement Report

his is the first report produced by International Cement

few articles and conference papers. Why, though, the interest

comparisons to be drawn of the white cement sector compared

a review of world production

analysis of global, regional and national consumption levels

the patterns of trade, including major markets and suppliers

corporate analysis of major companies within the sector

detailing of white cement applications, and marketing and

technical considerations in terms of production

an outlook on future trends within the sector

The report does not include assessments of the availability

The Global White Cement Report

compared to 2002. For this to occur then, existing

growth rate ahead of grey cement. This has resulted

grown by five to six per cent since 1994, a

sustain current levels of demand, and lower

in major capacity additions in a relative sense. These

The drivers of demand for white cement are not

additions have generally been founded on highly

necessarily of similar weighting as for grey cement. It

efficient plants targeting both domestic and

is less of a commodity product, and therefore

significant export sales. A profile of the industry

demand could be advanced by positive perceptions

would be one of an increasingly global nature, with

in terms of fashion/aesthetics and effective

over 3Mt being traded internationally. In terms of

promotion of its applications.

the major players, both Aalborg White and imsa, to

Headline comments from the report are as

overall business, have been at the forefront of this

regions. Overall the industry has become more

I Total global production of white cement in 2002 is

competitive, and this has resulted in recent years

estimated at just below 12Mt with indicated capacity

with lower prices in many markets. An apparent

anomaly remains, however, in that in some

I Europe is both the largest producer (28 per cent of

countries, prices have remained high and supply has

global output) and has the highest capacity

continued to take place from relatively high cost