The building materials sector in France did fairly well at the end of 2011 and
Ready-mixed concrete saw a 10.3% increase year-on-year in the fourth quarter, and was up 10.7% over the whole year.
In the last quarter, aggregate production rose 7.1% year-on-year.
In December 2011, aggregate deliveries and ready-mixed concrete both rose 18% year-on-year, according to Unicem.
The basis for comparison was poor due to particularly bad weather in 2010, but over the full year the aggregates segment rose 4.1%.
After the upturn in 2011, the outlook for 2012 is not so bright. Now France has lost its triple-A rating, borrowing will be more expensive for private and public investors, and local authorities are also cutting investments.
