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Building Materials Market Report
Key Note Publications Ltd, Jan 2001
This report analyses the UK building materials market, detailing a range of raw materials, semi-manufactured materials, and products and components. Emphasis is placed on basic materials such as aggregates, cement and concrete, clay products, glass, metal and timber.
Market and production data are given for each category, along with statistical data on overseas trade. Overall, the UK imports more building materials than it exports, the deficit in 1999 being £2.2bn, a figure which is expected to have fallen during 2000.
The UK building materials market experienced difficulties as a result of the economic recession in the early 1990s and, for most products, output has not yet reached the levels of 1990. This has led to extensive restructuring, and the industry is now dominated by around ten large companies. Overseas companies have made major acquisitions in the UK, examples being Castle Cement Ltd (Heidelberger Zement of Germany), Ibstock Brick Ltd (CRH of the Republic of Ireland), Marley Ltd (Etex Group of Belgium) and Redland Roofing Systems Ltd (Lafarge of France). Saint-Gobain of France now dominates the UK builders' merchant market, as well as being a major glass producer. Lafarge is renewing its takeover of Blue Circle. The global building materials industry is becoming more concentrated and the UK is following this trend.
Key issues in the industry include the Aggregates Tax, the Climate Change Levy and energy/environmental issues generally. The Government is encouraging more partnering in the construction industry, and a quality mark scheme has been introduced.
At constant 1995 prices, the UK construction industry is forecast to grow by 12.1% between 2001 and 2005.
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