Japan’s Cement demand hits 43-year low

Japan’s Cement demand hits 43-year low
28 January 2011


Cement demand in Japan is estimated to have hit a 43-year low in 2010 because of a cutback on public works spending and a slump in private demand, an industry group said Thursday.

Demand is projected to have dropped 5.7 pct from the previous year to 41.77Mt, the fifth straight year of decrease, the Japan Cement Association said.

Of the total, sales of cement made in Japan fell 5.4 per cent to 41.16Mt.

However, monthly sales of domestically made cement increased 0.3 per cent in December from a year before to 3.94Mt, rising for the second straight month, as plant and home construction is showing signs of bottoming out.

In 2011, overall demand, including sales of imported cement, is likely to be flat or increase slightly as capital spending is on a recovery track, a senior association official said.
Published under Cement News