Frequently Asked Questions

Cement is the main component of concrete. It's an economical, high-quality construction material used in construction projects worldwide. Cement is made by grinding together a mixture consisting mostly of limestone and aluminium and silica oxides, which is heated at a temperature of 1,450°C. The result is a granular substance called "clinker," which is then ground into the fine gray powder called cement. National Cement manufactures and markets various types of cement, based on the chemical composition of the raw materials used and the grinding process. Each cement type has specific applications. These include residential construction, civil engineering structures, underground work and the production of concrete for harsh environments or for highly corrosive conditions.

Although cementitious materials have been known for ages, it was a French inventor, Louis Vicat, who discovered artificial cement in 1817 by designing a precise method to combine and calcine the proper ingredients. National Cement and its US subsidiaries are proud members of the group which bears Louis Vicat's name, a company which was founded and is run to this day by the Vicat family.

Concrete (or, more precisely, "ready-mix concrete") is a construction material made by mixing cement, sand, gravel, water and chemical admixtures. The cement reacts with the water and becomes the agent binding the sand and gravel together forming concrete. It hardens over time into a firm and durable stone-like material which is used to make roads, bridges, buildings and many other structures around us.