Annual production of cement in Great Britain (GB) 2001-2017

In 2017, plants in Great Britain produced roughly 9.4 million metric tons of cement. Production of cement decreased significantly between 2007 and 2009 and though figures increased again slowly, volume have not reached the levels seen prior to 2009.
Used as a binder, cement is integral to the construction industry and was known to ancient Romans and Greeks.

Leading producing countries

As of 2018, China remains the world’s leading cement producer, manufacturing some 2.4 billion metric tons. This was more than eight times the output of the second largest producer, India and 253 times as much as annual production in Great Britain.

Environmental impacts

Cement and cement-based concrete have a hugely negative effect on the environment. Manufacturing processes in the United Kingdom were responsible for emitting nearly 7.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2017. Not only a great polluter, cement’s use as a construction material also has serious implications for temperatures within a city by trapping heat, while non-porous concrete pavements contribute to soil erosion and flooding.