Bright white concrete makes up the newest university campus building in northern Brazil. While white concrete was largely used to keep the building cool in the region’s arid climate, the Universidade Federal do Ceará’s (UFC) latest development is also part of a growing trend in the global cement market.

According to , a report by Big Market Research, the global white cement market was valued at $7.9 billion in 2017. It is expected to grow at a 4.0% CAGR from 2018 to 2025. Nearly 47% of global end-use market share was held by residential segments in 2017. However, the growth of architectural and decorative construction is expected to increase white cement demand.

The attractive color of white cement and its low energy consumption are driving an increase in use in the construction of designer buildings, thermally insulated buildings in hot countries and future landmarks. White cement is also widely used in developing countries like India and China due to its high purchasing power, increased per capita GDP and increase in government building and construction spending.

White cement is made with fuel oil, rather than traditional Portland cement. This has a lower iron oxide content (below 0.4%). Iron oxide gives cement its white color. Iron oxide is also used in the production and decoration of terrazzo tiles, pavers, and prefabricated products like artificial walls and adhesives.

Mixing white cement with pigments can give concretes and mortars attractive colors that are otherwise impossible to achieve using regular gray cement.

Market growth is expected to be limited by the low strength of white cement compared with other cements, and the high cost.