Cement is a fundamental building material with a history dating back to ancient times. In the second century BCE, Romans attempted to create something akin to cement by mixing lime with volcanic ash.
Modern Portland cement appeared a little over two centuries ago, in 1824, when English mason Joseph Aspdin patented Portland cement. The name was chosen because the cured material resembled stone in color and strength from the Isle of Portland, England.
On the Petersburg Exchange, cement is traded in the 'Lumber and Building Materials' section. The main lineup comprises cement of grade ЦЕМ I 42.5Н, with the M-400 strength designation; M-400 indicates a strength of 400 kgf/cm², and 42.5 is the strength class in MPa; the letter N denotes normal-hardening.