Australian Clinker and Cement Production

Cement is a critical ingredient in concrete, one of the most used materials in the world and essential for the built environment as we know it. Not surprisingly, Australian cement production is closely linked to population growth. With strong growth, the demand for cement increases.

Despite this, the Australian economy was significantly disrupted as each jurisdiction enacted measures to manage the crisis – both directly and indirectly impacting demand for cement and cementitious products over the period.

Production Statistics

Clinker production was 5.26 million tonnes in 2020-21, up 2 per cent year-on-year but down 5 per cent over 2015-16 and 19 per cent below 2010-11 levels.

Clinker imports (including non-CIF member imports) were 3.96 million tonnes in 2020-21, a rise of 2 per cent year-on-year.

While imports are down 5 per cent over 2015-16 levels, Clinker imports are now more than double what they were in 2010-11.

Cement production was 9.60 million tonnes in 2020-21, down 1 per cent year-on-year.

2020-21 production was slightly higher than 2015-16 and 9 per cent higher over the decade.

Cement imports (including non-CIF members imports) were 0.57 million tonnes, down 19 per cent year-on-year and 29 per cent higher than in 2010-11.

Overall Australian total cement production (from both domestic and imported clinker) has increased by around 10 per cent over the last decade, underpinned by sound management and our industry’s commit-ment to supplying quality products to our customers.