Presentation short abstract

This contribution presents a comprehensive overview of conflicts around the cement industry. It is based on a study of over 50 conflicts, representing more than 15 global cement players. The contribution will also present the case Holcim–one of the largest cement players in the world.

Presentation long abstract

Cement, or hydraulic cement (the major type of which is Portland Cement), is a binding agent used in the production of concrete and mortar. Portland cement was patented by Joseph Aspdin in 1824, and in the following decades, its production and applications expanded rapidly. The large-scale production of cement was quickly followed by the mass production of concrete, and soon after, in the mid 1800s with the invention of "reinforced concrete", the product began being used in the production of infrastructure projects. Today, concrete is by far the most dominant and critical construction material used across the world. This rock-like material has been a building block of post-WW2 built environment expansion globally, and has been identified as an important driver of Earth System transformations and a significant factor in ‘the Great Acceleration’. The global cement industry also has historically been one of the most cartelised industries founded upon early cartelisation within and between European countries; enforced dumping of cement into European colonies; and eventually the formation of major multinational corporations (which till date reflect the original cartel-based structure). This contribution presents a broad and comprehensive overview of conflicts around the cement industry. It is based on a study of over 50 conflicts across the world, representing more than 15 global cement players. The contribution will also present the case Holcim–one of the largest cement players in the world, in order to focus the discussions around the myriad causes of conflicts and contestations around cement production.