As Saudi Arabia’s skyline rises rapidly in the wake of Vision 2030, one company is quietly, yet powerfully, reinforcing the nation’s foundations. Riyadh Cement, under the leadership of CEO Shoeil Al-Ayed, is doing far more than producing a construction staple. It is building the materials, strategies and sustainability models that will help define the Kingdom’s future.
Founded to meet the demands of a growing capital, Riyadh Cement has evolved into a cornerstone of industrial resilience, market leadership and environmental consciousness. Speaking with Business Enquirer, Al-Ayed and Business Excellence Director Dr Mohammed Fouad offered deep insight into how the company is navigating complexity with clarity, and growth with responsibility.
While much of the global cement industry struggled with volatility following the pandemic, Riyadh Cement reported strong and consistent gains. In 2024, the company reached annual revenues of SAR 789.4 million, representing a 22.7 percent increase year-on-year. Dr Fouad attributes this to a combination of strategic resilience and booming local demand, particularly in and around Riyadh.
He explained that the capital has become a hotspot for major developments, fuelling construction activity and requiring suppliers like Riyadh Cement to evolve quickly. This growth, while promising, has required a laser-sharp focus on operational excellence, plant efficiency and supply chain agility.
At the heart of the operation are three production lines, each with its own function and philosophy. Lines One and Two were originally designed to produce 5,000 tonnes per day of grey cement. Through efficiency upgrades, both now exceed 6,000 tonnes. Notably, Line One is equipped to switch between grey and white cement production, depending on forecasted demand, making it a uniquely agile production unit in the Kingdom.
Line Three is smaller in capacity but no less strategic. It produces 1,000 tonnes of specialised white cement daily, a high-spec product essential for architectural finishes and premium construction work. This line serves a niche but vital role in delivering quality to projects requiring precision. Together, these three lines enable the company to scale where needed, adapt to market fluctuations and innovate across product types.
Although the majority of its product is sold domestically, Riyadh Cement is actively looking beyond its borders. “We currently export only five percent of our white cement, primarily to GCC countries,” said Al-Ayed. “But we are targeting East Africa, which could increase exports to between 15 and 20 percent over the coming years.”
This expansion is not simply commercial, it aligns with the company’s broader vision of sustainability and regional integration. One of its most significant investments to date is the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) facility, a first of its kind in Saudi Arabia. In partnership with Turboden, the project will generate 13,000 kilowatts of electricity from waste heat, significantly reducing both carbon emissions and operational costs. The SAR 150 million investment is expected to be operational before the end of the year.
Beyond energy generation, Riyadh Cement has implemented a far-reaching sustainability framework that reflects the principles of Vision 2030. As Dr Fouad explained, the strategy spans environmental, social and governance (ESG) dimensions. On the environmental front, the company is committed to circular economy principles, partnering with other industries to repurpose by-products and reduce national waste volumes.
Energy efficiency has been tackled with both technology and infrastructure upgrades. Traditional airlifts have been replaced with bucket elevators, cutting energy consumption significantly. Additionally, the company is optimising its clinker-to-cement ratio, reducing dependency on carbon-intensive components.
On the social side, Riyadh Cement has invested heavily in national talent. Over the past three years, more than 250 Saudi engineers and technicians have been hired and trained through its graduate development and localisation programmes. This commitment to human capital is not simply an HR initiative, it is a long-term strategy to build in-house capability and reduce dependence on external expertise.
Operationally, the company’s Riyadh base provides a powerful geographic advantage. With most Vision 2030 mega projects located in or around the capital, Riyadh Cement enjoys proximity that allows faster delivery, lower logistics costs and closer coordination with clients and contractors. This has made the company a preferred supplier for large-scale developments and a trusted partner in ensuring quality and consistency.
Nonetheless, challenges remain. Chief among them are raw material security and the complexities of energy transition. “Securing sustainable substitutes for clinker is a critical priority,” said Al-Ayed. “Likewise, energy efficiency is not just about technology, it’s also about regulatory alignment and government support.”
To that end, the company is engaged in an energy transition programme with the Ministry of Energy to move away from crude oil and heavy fuel oil, in favour of natural gas and electricity from the national grid. This shift, while financially significant, is being subsidised by the government and represents a major step forward in decarbonising the company’s operations.
Digital transformation also features prominently in the company’s long-term strategy. “It’s one of the five pillars of our corporate agenda,” Al-Ayed said. Predictive maintenance, AI-driven optimisation, robotic laboratories and integrated ERP systems are already being deployed across the business. “We are embedding digital intelligence not just in equipment, but across maintenance, supply chain and customer service.”
In 2023, Riyadh Cement successfully passed its SIRI (Smart Industry Readiness Index) assessment and is now pushing toward a fully integrated Industry 4.0 operational model. Innovations such as AI-enabled systems, carbon capture technologies and intelligent logistics platforms are on the horizon, representing a new frontier in smart industrial performance.
In an industry often criticised for its environmental impact, Riyadh Cement is actively rewriting the narrative. Its approach is holistic, addressing emissions, resource use, social inclusion and digital modernisation in one sweeping vision.
“We believe sustainability is not just a responsibility, it is a business imperative,” said Al-Ayed. “Whether it is through advanced technology, research and development, environmental innovation or talent development, our goal is to become the most resilient and responsible cement company in the region.”
As Saudi Arabia surges toward a future defined by smart cities, green infrastructure and industrial reinvention, companies like Riyadh Cement will be the ones turning blueprints into reality. Quietly, consistently and with a long-term vision, they are helping build not just structures, but the Kingdom’s future.