Nov 23 2006
Despite a slowdown in the housing construction market, the market supply for cement and readymix concrete is expected to accelerate to meet demands in other end-use sectors, taking the market valued at approximately $25 billion in 2005 to $30 billion in 2010.
According to the latest market research from Specialists in Business Information (SBI) in its report, Cement and Readymix Concrete in the U.S., sustained growth in commercial, government, and institutional construction-as well as rebuilding efforts in hurricane-damaged areas of the country-will increase the market supply value of cement by a CAGR of 4% during the period of 2006 to 2010, with the readymix concrete market showing similar gains at 3% during the same time period.
Cement consumption reached record levels in 2005 increasing by 6% over 2004. This marked the third straight year for growth, which in turn caused U.S. cement plants to operate at higher levels in 2004 and 2005. Yet U.S. suppliers' failure to equal the demand led to increases in cement imports, which accounted for approximately 28% of total U.S. consumption in 2005. To stave off additional need for imports, U.S. companies are investing heavily in expanding capacity by building new plants and expanding existing ones.
"Major consolidation and expansion are taking place as the industry rallies to optimize cost efficiencies and achieve higher growth and production capabilities," notes Tatjana Meerman, Managing Editor of SBI. "As energy and limestone costs continue to rise, and concerns over the environmental impact of manufacturing escalate, the cement industry is responding by investing in more dry-process manufacturing, reducing emissions, and curtailing corporate costs to limit cost increases to the end-user."
Cement and Readymix Concrete in the U.S. offers a comprehensive examination of import/export data, competitive profiles, mergers and acquisitions within the industry, and construction and housing market trends that affect the demand and production of cement and readymix concrete.