What Is Cemex? Mexico’s Cement Giant, Its Turnaround and What Investors Should Know
What is Cemex? A guide to Mexico's cement giant: what it sells, where it earns, its debt and owners, its legal risks and what investors should watch in 2026. The post What Is Cemex? Mexico’s Cement Giant, Its Turnaround and What Investors Should Know appeared first on The Rio Times .
Cemex is a large Mexican cement company, one of the world's biggest cement producers. Established in 1906, it merged with other cement companies to form Cemex in 1931 and went public in 1976. Under various leaders, it expanded globally, purchasing Spanish cement firms in 1992, British RMC in 2005, and Australian Rinker in 2007. This expansion, however, created significant debt, which was partially addressed by selling Australian operations in 2009.
The company's main products are cement, ready-mix concrete, and aggregates (sand, gravel, and crushed stone), along with related building materials. As of 2025, Cemex had a production capacity of 78.0 million tonnes of cement annually. Sales from 2025 included 48.0 million tonnes of cement, 42.9 million cubic metres of ready-mix concrete, and 132.5 million tonnes of aggregates.
Geographically, Cemex operates in four regions: Mexico, the United States, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and South, Central America, and the Caribbean. Sales were highest in Mexico (US$2.57 billion in the first half of 2026), followed by the United States (US$2.51 billion), EMEA (US$2.68 billion), and South, Central America, and the Caribbean (US$602 million).
Profitability is measured by operating EBITDA. Mexico leads with a 37.5% margin in the first half of 2026, while the United States reported an 11% decline in operating EBITDA to US$248 million. EMEA saw a 28% increase in operating EBITDA to US$293 million, driven by a US$42 million settlement in Europe. Overall, Cemex reported US$4.59 billion in sales and US$1.02 billion in operating EBITDA for the second quarter of 2026, setting a new record.
In 2026, Cemex raised its savings target to US$475 million annually, mostly through cost-cutting measures like cheaper purchasing. The company expects its operating EBITDA to grow by 16 to 17 percent for the year, assuming the peso trades between 18.25 and 18.50 per US dollar. Cemex maintains an investment-grade credit rating (BBB-), which is considered low default risk, and has raised its debt rating outlook to positive. The company has a dividend policy, issuing US$180 million in dividends in 2026.
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