Global clinker production capacity 2024, by country

The global production capacity of clinker amounted to an estimated 3.8 billion metric tons in 2024. Of that amount, China accounted for the vast majority of the capacity, at two billion metric tons. Indeed, China has accounted for over half of the world’s cement production in recent years.
 

Clinker in the United States

Cement is a binding material that hardens to connect building units like stones and brick; it is most often used in construction. Clinker, on the other hand, acts primarily as a building block to produce cement. The United States' clinker imports for consumption amounted to 820,000 metric tons in 2024; however, domestic production of clinker in the U.S. exceeded imports by a large volume. 

Market dynamics and pricing

The cement and concrete industry has experienced notable price fluctuations in recent years. In 2023, the producer price index for concrete products in the United States rose by nearly 11 percent compared to the previous year. This trend is part of a longer-term increase, with the index climbing from 210.8 in 2011 to 366 in 2023. Similarly, the price index of concrete products reached 405 points in 2023, up from 238 in 2012. These price movements reflect the dynamic nature of the construction materials market and its sensitivity to economic factors.