How did cement manufacturing spread beyond England during the 19th and 20th centuries?
Following the development of portland cement in England during the early 19th century—most notably through the work of Joseph Aspdin and later refinements by Isaac Charles Johnson—the manufacturing process expanded rapidly to other European countries and North America.12
This expansion was driven by the material's superior binding properties, which made it an essential component for the growing demands of civil engineering and building construction during the industrial age. By the 20th century, the production of cement had spread globally, becoming a foundational element of modern infrastructure worldwide. By 2019, this global reach was exemplified by major production leadership in countries such as China, India, Vietnam, the United States, and Egypt.321