World cement consumption is expected to decline 1.7% in 2009, a modest drop that is cushioned by a roughly 4% growth in utilization by China and India.
According to a recent report by the Portland Cement Association (PCA), gains in China and India, which together account for 58% of the world’s cement consumption, will mask the harsh downturns predicted for many of the world’s cement markets. Among developing economies, consumption is anticipated to decline nearly 16% during 2009.