South Korea's Cement Industry Surpasses Cumulative Production in 66 Years

The Korean cement industry reached a historic landmark in 2023 as the cumulative domestic cement production exceeded 2 billion tons, a record set for the first time in 66 years.

According to the Korean Cement Association, the cumulative production of the domestic cement industry at the end of last year recorded 2,087,378 tons tons, based on general cement standards, surpassing the 2 billion ton mark.

This is the first record achieved in 66 years since statistics were officially compiled in 1958.

Considering that about 20 tons of cement are used to build one apartment with a supply area of ​​102.5 m2 (30 pyeong), this means that enough cement has been produced to build about 100 million households.

The cumulative production of seven major companies, including Sampyo Cement, Ssangyong C&E, Hanil Cement, Asia Cement, and Sungshin Cement, was about 1.85 billion tons, and the cumulative production of Korea Cement, Korea C&T, and Daehan Cement was about 150 million tons.

The cement industry began recovering in earnest from the scars caused by the Korean War, producing approximately 260,000 tons per year in 1958, and succeeded in producing 1 million tons per year in 1964.

Afterwards, in the economic development period, the cumulative production reached 10 million tons in 1967, three years later, and 11 years later, in 1978, the record of cumulative production of 100 million tons was set.

Despite major blows such as the IMF foreign exchange crisis, cumulative production exceeded 1 billion tons in 2003, and reached 2 billion tons in 2022, 20 years later.

Typically, it takes about a year for the association to tally the exact production volume of its member companies.

The association said, “This is the result of major domestic companies making continuous efforts to improve quality through securing a stable supply of natural raw materials such as high-quality limestone and through competition among companies,” and adding, “We have successfully overcome the immediate crisis, including achieving the greenhouse gas reduction necessary for carbon neutrality.” “We will make more efforts to produce cement necessary to improve the quality of life of the people,” he said.

Source: m.news.nate.com