WCA President calls for innovation and global collaboration at 2026 Annual Conference

Marking the Association’s 10th anniversary, in his keynote address, WCA President, Mr. Wei Rushan highlighted the mounting challenges facing the industry, including geopolitical instability, climate disruption, and intensifying technological competition.

Referencing the latest IMF outlook, he noted that global growth is expected to slow while inflationary pressures persist, underscoring the fragile macroeconomic environment in which the industry operates.

Shifting industry landscape

Mr. Wei emphasised that the global cement industry is undergoing a significant structural shift. While total production declined slightly in 2025 to 3.8 billion t, international trade expanded, reflecting increasing globalisation of supply chains. He pointed out that Asia, particularly China and India, continues to dominate the sector, with the centre of gravity firmly anchored in the Asia-Pacific region.

At the same time, persistent overcapacity remains a critical issue, with global capacity reaching 6.8 billion t Mr. Wei urged industry players to remain disciplined and rational in the face of market volatility.

Post-conflict reconstruction

Addressing geopolitical developments, Mr. Wei noted that ongoing conflicts and subsequent reconstruction efforts, specifically in the Middle East, are expected to drive significant short-term demand for cement. However, he cautioned that such demand spikes are not reflective of long-term market fundamentals.

Industry innovation

Reflecting the conference theme, a central focus of the address was the critical role of innovation, digitalisation, and performance in shaping the future of the cement industry. Mr. Wei outlined six key pillars driving transformation:

• Development of low-carbon cement products.
• Implications of carbon regulations.
• Wider use of alternative fuels.
• Deeper integration into the circular economy.
• Adoption of digital and intelligent technologies.
• Lightweighting of cement equipment.

A call for collaboration and long-term vision

Concluding his remarks, Mr. Wei called for greater global collaboration, openness, and resource integration to address shared challenges. He stressed the importance of aligning technological advancement with sustainability goals while fostering inclusive and cooperative growth across the industry.

“Tough times breed strength; strength creates stability; stability nurtures complacency; complacency returns to hard times…Our only choice is to face challenges head-on…march forward with resolved, passion, and the courage to innovate – to strive and thrive amid adversity,” he said.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/30042026/wca-president-calls-for-innovation-and-global-collaboration-at-2026-annual-conference/