White Portland Cement
White cement for decorative work, terrazzo, white concrete per IS 8042
White cement is Portland cement with low iron content, producing a white colour suitable for architectural applications. Per IS 8042:1989, white cement has identical chemistry to OPC but uses raw materials with low iron (< 0.5% Fe2O3 vs 3-5% in OPC). Used for: tile work, terrazzo flooring, decorative surfaces, architectural concrete, and white concrete walls. Major Indian white cement manufacturers: Birla White (UltraTech), JK White, OCL White Cement, ACC White Cement.
Properties: (1) 28-day compressive strength: 33 MPa minimum (OPC 33 grade equivalent). (2) Fineness 250-350 m²/kg (similar to OPC 43). (3) Setting time 30 min initial / 600 min final. (4) Soundness ≤ 10 mm. (5) Density 1450-1500 kg/m³ bulk; 3.05-3.15 g/cc particle density. Cost: 2-3× OPC per bag (₹500-800/bag vs ₹250-400/bag for OPC); justified by aesthetic value in finished applications.
Applications: (1) Tile installation — white cement-based tile fixative for white tiles and marble. (2) Architectural concrete walls — exposed white concrete buildings (specialty residential, public spaces). (3) Terrazzo flooring — white cement matrix with marble chips. (4) Decorative plastering — white cement plaster as primer for high-end interiors. (5) Repair and patching — colour-matched repair on white surfaces. The most-overlooked aspect of Indian white cement use: storage. White cement absorbs atmospheric moisture and discolours over time; store in moisture-protected areas; use within 60-90 days of manufacture for best aesthetic.
- Tile installation — white tile and marble fixative
- Architectural exposed white concrete walls
- Terrazzo flooring — white cement matrix
- Decorative plastering — high-end interior finishes
- Colour-matched repair and patching