Russia's Sibcem cement output plunges as Siberian construction slows down

Russian cement company JSC Sibirskiy Cement, or Sibcem, reported a 38% year-over-year drop in cement output in the first quarter of 2026, as construction activity in Siberia continued to slow down, the company said in a statement on May 19.

The company's five plants produced a combined 524,600 tons of cement from January to March 2026.

Production at the flagship plant, Topkinsky Cement, fell 47% to 185,100 tons, while Iskitim Cement cut output 23% to 161,200 tons and Krasnoyarsk Cement reduced volumes 34% to 84,200 tons. The Angarsk Cement and Mining Combine declined 49% to 55,800 tons, and the Timlyui Cement Plant slipped 17% to 38,300 tons, the company said.

In downstream operations, Volna's chrysotile cement products output dropped 18% to about 1.6 million square meters. Ready-mix arm Siberian Concrete shipped 28,700 cubic meters of concrete and mortar, down 51%, while the Mining Company division's production plunged 81% to 2,800 tons.

Sibcem estimates the Siberian cement market, including the Republic of Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai within its former boundaries, at 748,000 tons in the first quarter of 2026, down 29.8% year over year. Zabaykalsky Krai was the only growing sub-market, with demand rising 32.9% due to major investment projects.

"Against the backdrop of a significant slowdown in construction activity, demand for cement continues to decline," first Vice President Alexander Legotin said, adding that the company expects negative market conditions to persist through the remainder of 2026, with the Siberian cement market forecast to contract by at least 15% this year.

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, last assessed CEMDEX Turkey at $55/metric ton FOB Turkey and Platts CLX at $46/mt FOB Turkey on May 15.