Cement is made from a mixture of calcium, silica, aluminium and iron. A high-temperature kiln heats the raw materials, transforming them chemically and physically into clinker. This grey pebble-like material comprises the special compounds that give cement its binding properties. Clinker is then mixed with gypsum and ground to a fine powder to make cement (for more information, see cement manufacture).

Cement is the ‘glue’ that binds aggregates together to form concrete, one of the key construction materials available today. Second only to water, concrete is the most consumed material on earth, with three tonnes per year used for every person. Twice as much concrete is used in construction as all other building materials combined. Construction of a typical family home requires 14 tonnes of cement, and a kilometre of freeway contains as much as 2500 tonnes of cement. Varying the mix of cement, sand and aggregate enables concrete to be used in a range of applications. Products can be designed, coloured and shaped to accommodate a variety of environmental conditions, architectural requirements and to withstand a wide range of loads, stresses and impacts.

The pre-mixed concrete industry consumes the greatest volume of cement, using it in applications such as:

• concrete slabs and foundations for buildings, roads and bridges
• precast panels, blocks, and roofing tiles
• fence posts, reservoirs and railway sleepers

Cement is also used in bulk quantities in other diverse applications including:

• stabilisation of roads and rocky surfaces
• backfill mining operations and casings in oil and gas wells
• renders, mortars and fibre board

Cement is the main binding ingredient in concrete, the most common building and construction material in the world. Major uses include new housing, commercial office facilities, manufacturing, mining and tourism facilities, and infrastructure development such as roads, airports, bridges, harbours and reservoirs.

Cement is made from a mixture of calcium carbonate (generally in the form of limestone), silica, iron oxide and alumina.

A high-temperature kiln fuelled by coal, natural gas or alternative fuels (waste tyres, oils and solvents) heats the raw materials to a partial melt at 1450°C, transforming them chemically and physically into clinker. This grey pebble-like material comprises the special compounds that give cement its binding properties. Clinker is mixed with gypsum and ground to a fine powder to make cement.

Follow this link for more detailed information on cement production and use in Australia.