U.S. cement prices 2010-2021

In 2021, the price of cement in the United States stood at around 125 U.S. dollars per metric ton, the highest it has been in recent years.

Different types of cement

The discovery of cement can be credited to ancient Roman times, where a mixture of volcanic ash and lime were used to form mortar. In construction today, cement can be characterized as hydraulic or nonhydraulic, based on its ability or inability, respectively, to set under wet conditions or underwater. Through a chemical reaction between the dry cement ingredients and water, hydraulic cements become adhesive and thus also protect the hardened material from chemical attack. In 2021, the United States imported 19 million metric tons of hydraulic cement for consumption. One of the most common types of hydraulic cement is known as Portland cement. It is used in concrete, mortar, stucco, as well as grout. However, this type of cement can cause chemical burns, while the powder can cause irritation and even lung cancer. The United States produced an estimated 92 million metric tons of Portland cement and masonry cement in 2021.

Cement price recovery from the great recession

In 2016, cement prices finally surpassed pre-recession prices, which was about 111 U.S. dollars per metric ton the year prior to the global recession. The cement price per ton relies heavily on demands from the construction industry. Global production is expected to reach 4.83 billion metric tons by 2030. As of 2019, France’s Cie de Saint-Gobain, one of the leading manufacturers of construction materials worldwide, reported sales totaling 47.7 billion U.S. dollars.