A Brief History of Cement

It is unclear where cement, a hydraulic mixture created from a combination of hydrated non-hydraulic lime and a pozzolan, was first discovered. However, it was first used for building structures by the Ancient Macedonians. It wasn't until three hundred years later that Roman engineers used concrete to build on a large scale. One of their most notable concrete structures that still stands is the dome of the Pantheon in Rome.

Making cement didn't become a technical process until the 18^th century in France and Britain. It was in Britain that people began to see its true value, and thus, a period of high-volume cement building began and the cost of the material went up. Rosendale cement, which is a natural cement found in deposits of dolostone rock, was the first type of cement used in a large scale building project in the United States. It was discovered in the early 1800's near Rosendale, NY, hence its name, and was used for the foundations of many buildings such as the Statue of Liberty.

During the time of the industrial revolution, carpenters were building all sorts of structures in all sorts of locations. Thus, different types of cement materials had to be made to suit their most common building needs: hydraulic cement render is used as a final material for brick buildings erected in climates with high levels of moisture; hydraulic mortars are used in structures that come into contact with sea water; and generally stronger concretes. The process of making cement, however, has come a long way from there; there are now countless different types and combinations of materials for various pigeonholed needs, and making specific types is a very intricate and scientific process.

Now, the cement trade is one of the most important industries in the world. International cement trading is still a fairly young concept; it wasn't until Alex F Bouri conceptualized the floating terminal just a few decades ago that traders could easily ship bulk materials overseas. However, after experiencing a period of stagnancy, the cement industry is regaining health as the result of the newly introduced ability to transport the material, so the future of the sector looks bright.