Cement & concrete

Overview

Cement is a fine powder binder that hardens when mixed with water, while concrete is the finished composite of cement, water, aggregates and admixtures. The two are closely linked: cement is one ingredient, and concrete is what is poured, cast or supplied as ready-mix on site.

Cement is sold by type and strength class — common Portland cements plus blended cements using slag, fly ash or limestone — in bags or in bulk. Concrete is specified by compressive strength class, exposure class, consistency (slump or flow) and maximum aggregate size, and is delivered as ready-mixed concrete or made into precast and prestressed elements such as blocks, pipes, kerbs, panels and beams. Buyers include contractors, precast producers, infrastructure projects and builders merchants.

On Digibition, cement producers, ready-mix and precast manufacturers and distributors publish verified profiles, so professional buyers can discover and compare them by specialization and country.

What to check when sourcing

When you source cement or concrete, specify the right class for the job: the cement type and strength class, or for concrete the compressive strength class, exposure class for the environment, consistency and maximum aggregate size. The wrong exposure or strength class can compromise durability, so match the specification to the structure and conditions.

These are heavy, logistics-driven products. Cement is often perishable in the sense that it absorbs moisture, so check shelf life, bag or bulk packing and pallet weight; concrete is time-sensitive and usually sourced from a plant within a workable delivery radius. Performance is typically declared against recognised standards — in the EU a Declaration of Performance may accompany a CE mark for these construction products — so ask which standards, strength classes and documents apply in your market.

Use the directory to shortlist suppliers by specialization and country, then contact several, compare classes, delivery terms and lead times, and confirm minimum order quantities before you commit.

What to check when sourcing cement & concrete

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between cement and concrete?

Cement is a powder binder that sets when mixed with water. Concrete is the finished material made by combining cement with water, aggregates and admixtures. In short, cement is one ingredient and concrete is the composite that results, so the two terms are not interchangeable.

What do concrete strength and exposure classes mean?

Strength class indicates the characteristic compressive strength the concrete should reach, matched to the structural loads. Exposure class describes the environment — such as moisture, freeze-thaw or chemical attack — and drives the mix durability. Both are chosen together for the structure and its conditions.

How do I find cement and concrete suppliers?

Use the Digibition directory to filter by this specialization and by country, then open each company profile to review its products, certifications and specializations. You can message suppliers directly, or add several to a quote list and request quotes from all of them at once.

Why does delivery distance matter for ready-mix concrete?

Ready-mixed concrete begins to set after mixing, so it must be placed within a limited time window. That makes plant proximity and reliable delivery important, and it is why concrete is usually sourced from a plant within a workable radius. This is general information, not legal or technical advice.

What should I check before placing a large order?

Confirm the cement type or concrete strength and exposure class, agree delivery logistics, lead time and minimum order quantity, and clarify which standards and performance documents your market needs. Where relevant, agree testing and acceptance criteria in writing before committing to volume.