Cement

Cement plays a fundamental role in daily life and has done since the Romans first invented it! It tends to be one of those products we all take for granted, yet without it, our world would quite literally fall apart.

Cement is manufactured by combining a homogenous blend of carefully proportioned raw materials (limestone or chalk and clay/ shale/ sand) at a very high temperature (1450⁰C) in a rotary kiln. The raw materials fuse together to form 'clinker', a hard granular material. The clinker is ground to a powder along with gypsum to make cement.

Joseph Aspdin of Leeds is credited with the invention of Portland cement, a key ingredient in concrete. He discovered how to burn impure limestone and transform it into hydraulic cement, taking out a patent on the process in 1824. Today cement is an essential material in modern construction.

As a constituent of concrete, cement puts much of the strength into our homes, schools, hospitals and much more. We also need it to make the mortar that bonds our bricks and blocks as well as in the manufacture of many concrete products ranging from blocks to pipes. Take a tour of your home and your world in this part of our site and prepare to be impressed!

Did you know concrete is the second most consumed substance in the world after water?

Also in this part of our site, using cement shows you some of the high profile projects that have depended upon cement, while cement types provides a rundown on the different cements that are available for general or specialist uses and advice includes safety and some useful tips.

Child safety is also a key issue for the industry. Through this section of our site, we aim to make children aware about the dangers of playing in quarries and other industry sites.

If you happen to be planning your career, then you may well like to take a look at what the cement industry can offer. Included are case studies of some people who have already found a rewarding future.

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