In Switzerland, the cement industry, the lime industry (combined under the term binding material industry) and the plaster industry are domains dealing with the industrial production of rocks. Mines are found under «rock extraction» and brickyards and brick production plants are found under «brickyards».
Cement production began in Switzerland in the early 20th century continued to increase in importance until 1972. In relation to the oil crisis (1974-1976), the sales volume decreased by a third and then increased again until the beginning of the recession in 1989.
The production of hydraulic lime has strongly decreased over all of Switzerland since the 1980's, while the demand for slaked lime has remained fairly constant but is often met by imports.
The production of various plaster products (calcined gypsum, moulding plaster, gypsum for fertilisers and gypsum for the cement industry) shows fluctuations similar to those of the cement industry. Both industry giants are strongly influenced by the construction industry.