Germany: 3.2 % increase in cement consumption in 2016
Approx. 27.5 million t of cement were used in Germany in 2016 (2015: 26.6 million t). This figure is roughly 3.2 % higher than in the previous year. The German Cement Works Association (VDZ) is expecting this positive trend to continue in 2017.
“Housing, traffic infrastructure and non-residential construction – the momentum for the German cement market came from all the relevant sectors of the building industry,” is how VDZ President Christian Knell sums up the development of cement consumption in 2016. In Germany, the construction industry used around one million tonnes more cement than in the previous year. “This growth can be primarily attributed to the high level of building activity. But the good weather conditions of course also had a positive effect on cement consumption,” says Knell.
According to the figures available, almost the entire domestic demand for cement was covered by German manufacturers last year. Only 1.3 million t or around 4.8 % of the cement required had to be imported in 2016. In comparison to the preceding years this figure has remained largely stable. By contrast, exports of cement and clinker dropped slightly by 1.5 % – totaling about 6.5 million t according to the German Federal Statistical Office.
The industry views the current year with optimism. “We can see further potential for growth in the areas of both housing and infrastructure projects, and we are expecting the positive development of cement sales in Germany to continue in 2017,” adds Knell.
Cement consumption in Germany is composed of domestic cement deliveries from German cement manufacturers and cement imports. VDZ obtains its information on cement imports and exports from the foreign trade data of the German Federal Statistical Office. 19 German cement manufacturers with a total of 47 cement works are members of the German Cement Works Association. The sector generates an annual turnover of around € 2.5 billion in Germany and employs approx. 7900 people.
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