In the early 1990s, Lebanon’s cement industry prospered, owing to a boom in construction activities, which stimulated the expansion of existing factories. However, the winding down of the reconstruction process, poor economic conditions and the small Lebanese market soon led to stagnation in the sector. Cement manufacturers began looking to regional markets, where competition in terms of quality and pricing was tough. Iraq is one example, where the price of cement ranges between $40 and $45 per ton.

This has led to criticism about the high local prices for cement, with critics blaming the industry’s oligopolistic structure and drawing attention to environmental concerns, which they say are going unheeded.
 

Cement plants

It is estimated that the cement industry employs approximately 3,000 workers throughout the whole chain. There are three main cement companies in Lebanon:
• Holcim*: Major shareholders comprise the Swiss Holcim Company (50%), the Sehnaoui family, the Maronite Patriarchate, Farouk Jabr and Mazen Salha.
• The National Cement Company (NCC): Major shareholders are the Doumit and Asseily families.
• Sibline Cement Company: Major shareholders are Walid Jumblatt, the Hariri Group, the Kassar and Boustani families and Touma Arida.

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