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Building Materials Market Report 2008
Key Note Publications Ltd, May 2008, Pages: 111
In this Market Report, the UK building materials market is analysed in terms of raw materials, semi-processed materials and components. In 2007, the output of the construction industry was £122.29bn, of which building materials accounted for an estimated 40%. This would place the value of the building materials market at £48.9bn in 2007.
The report focuses on key building materials in which the UK has a strong indigenous industry, notably: aggregates; cement, concrete and concrete products; and clay products (bricks and tiles). However, metal and timber products are also covered. Although the UK has a strong production base for heavy materials, the industry is now largely owned by foreign companies, mostly from continental Europe. The cement, brick and plasterboard industries are examples of those in which overseas companies have substantial market shares. As a result, the UK heavy building materials market is part of the larger European market in which companies operate internationally.
There is a serious shortage of housing in the UK, a situation that has contributed to high house prices. Government plans aim to alleviate this problem by building 3 million extra homes by 2016. An important part of the initiative is the construction of affordable housing, and one way of achieving this is by using cheaper and faster construction methods, which will involve the development of new construction methods and materials. Prefabricated units that are ready for on-site assembly are now being explored.
Other serious issues facing the industry include: rising energy and materials costs, especially in sectors that require heating processes, such as cement and bricks; and the recruitment, training and retention of suitable employees.
Regarding the future, a major challenge facing the building materials market is climate change. The Climate Change Bill and other government recommendations will require construction techniques that aim for `zero carbon' emissions. To this end, the building materials market will be required to develop materials of appropriate standards. Climate change is also bringing about unpredictable, often severe, weather conditions and, again, there is a role for building materials companies to develop and produce materials and components that can withstand these conditions at an acceptable cost.
Perhaps the greatest challenge facing the construction industry (and building materials market) at the present time is the credit squeeze in financial markets, which is making it more difficult for borrowers to obtain mortgages. The lack of confidence in the banking sector is causing lenders to be extremely cautious about lending funds and this could well serve to hold back progress in the construction market.
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