Who are the major cement producers in Canada?
See our members section.
How big is the Canadian cement industry?
Canada produces roughly 13–14 million metric tonnes of cement annually. Production levels can vary slightly by year depending on construction demand and export activity.
How is cement made?
Cement is manufactured by heating a mixture of limestone, clay and sand in a rotating kiln to temperatures reaching over 1400ºC. This results in the production of cement clinker, an intermediate product in the manufacturing process. The cement clinker emerges from the kiln, is cooled, and then finely ground to produce the powder we know as cement. The fuels combusted to heat the kiln account for about 40% of cement-manufacturing emissions. The remaining 60% are “process emissions,” inherent to the chemistry of cement that are effectively irreducible without carbon-capture technologies.
What is Portland-limestone cement (GUL)?
Portland-limestone cement is a more sustainable, lower carbon cement that reduces CO2 emissions by up to 10% while still producing concrete of similar performance, including strength and durability, to concrete produced with portland cement.
While portland cement may contain up to 5% ground limestone, portland-limestone cement is made by intergrinding up to 15% limestone, reducing the amount of clinker required. By reducing the amount of clinker used in the manufacturing process, the associated energy demand and process emissions per tonne of PLC are reduced. As a result, the CO2 emissions associated with PLC are less than those of traditional PC, while equivalent performance is maintained. Overall, the transition to PLC has the potential to save Canada approximately one megatonne of CO2 emissions annually.
What is “clinker” and how is it produced?
Clinker is the intermediate product formed by heating raw mix to ~1450°C in the rotary kiln. Key reactions:
- Calcination: CaCO₃ → CaO + CO₂
- Clinkering (C₃S, C₂S, C₃A, C₄AF formation)
Clinker is then cooled rapidly to preserve mineral phases.
What sustainability initiatives are underway in the Canadian cement industry?
It will take a variety of levers and strategies for the Canadian cement and concrete industry to reach net-zero by 2050. Common initiatives include:
- Increasing use of Portland-limestone cement (GUL)
- Using alternative fuels, such as biomass or refuse-derived fuel
- Developing carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) pilot projects
- Using supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash and slag
How is cement transported in Canada?
Cement is typically shipped by:
- Bulk trucks
- Rail (especially over long distances)
- Ships or barges (Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway, and West Coast)
What’s the difference between cement and concrete?
- Cement is the powdered binding material.
- Concrete is the final construction material made of cement + water + aggregates.
The cement industry supplies cement to concrete producers, who then create ready-mix or precast concrete.
What role does the Canadian cement industry play in the economy?
The Canadian cement and concrete industry supports thousands of jobs in:
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Transportation
- Mining (limestone, gypsum, shale)
Cement and concrete are considered essential for infrastructure, housing, and commercial development.
What raw materials are used to produce cement in Canada?
Primary materials:
- Limestone (main source of CaCO₃)
- Clay/shale (sources of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃)
Minor additions:
- Gypsum (controls setting)
- Limestone (for GUL cement)
- SCMs (fly ash, slag, silica fume)
