The growing challenge from rising cement prices
Cement, probably the most fundamental of all building materials has, in common with most construction products and systems, seen significant price increases worldwide in recent years. These increases have had far-reaching implications for our industry, impacting project costs, timelines and even the viability of some developments. All these fluctuations are causing the markets to shop around for the best deals. South Korea's recent decision to import Chinese cement at 15% below the cost of domestic prices is not an isolated incident. Many countries worldwide facing similar challenges are doing the same in response to rising cement costs. China has emerged as the world's largest cement producer, accounting for a significant portion of global output and this dominance has in turn, influenced international cement markets, with Chinese producers often offering competitive prices. However, other regions have also experienced cement price increases due to factors such as increased de...