Unicem - French building supplies sector set for good recovery

The French building supplies sector could be set for a good recovery in 2016, according to Union nationale des industries de carrières et matériaux de construction (1850 Unicem), the French national union for quarries and construction materials.

Deliveries of aggregates and ready-mixed concrete have been on the rise since September 2016, while production levels have increased towards the end of 2015, says Unicem. In November, sales of aggregates rose 3.7% year-on-year, while the increase was 0.7% for ready-mixed concrete. Production of aggregates rose 3.3% in November, while that of ready-mixed rose 0.1%. From September to November, aggregates showed an increase of 3.7% and ready-mixed 1.2%. However, production from January to November fell 8.4% for aggregates and 6.6% for ready-mixed concrete.

Unicem points out that revenue from construction materials fell 3.4% in 2014 to €8.55 billion. The organisation expects the market for aggregates to fall 8% in 2015 before improving (-1%) in 2016, while ready-mixed concrete should drop 6% in 2015 and recover with 1% growth in 2016.