CDE to host webinar on 2026 market outlook
Online event unites industry experts to explore what’s next for construction materials
WITH the construction materials industry ever-changing, it is vital now more than ever that materials producers work to keep up with this evolving landscape.
As the construction and aggregates sectors prepare for next year, CDE are bringing leading industry voices to explore market trends, regulatory challenges, and the innovations shaping the future of materials in a webinar on the market outlook for 2026.
The online event will discuss economic outlook for construction and aggregates growth trends, interest rate trajectory and financing conditions, insolvency risks and emerging construction growth pockets across the Western world, as well as the impacts of new and pending legislation on producers and market competitiveness amongst other key themes to prepare industry professionals for the year ahead.
Speaking on the 2026 market outlook webinar will be Aurelie Delannoy, director of economic affairs at Mineral Products Association (MPA), who will discuss economic trends and policy impacts on aggregates and construction in the UK and EU markets. Pierre G. Villere, senior managing partner at Allen-Villere, will share his perspective on the global construction outlook, key investment trends in the US market, and their wider implications. Experian’s economics senior economist Lorenzo Rodriguez-Fernandez will follow with an analysis of financing conditions, insolvency risks, and the sustainability-driven growth opportunities shaping the UK and EU markets.
The webinar will also feature a roundtable discussion led by CDE’s director of transformation, Paschal Lynch, alongside market researcher Michael Nesbitt. The session will explore the circular economy, PFAS, fines and contaminants in aggregates, and the technologies enhancing efficiency and profitability in recycled materials. According to Michael Nesbitt, the event will equip material producers with valuable insight into how both the global economy and local markets are likely to evolve over the next year –and what that means for the construction industry.
‘Looking ahead to 2026, the global economy is expected to grow between 2.5% to 3.1%, with emerging markets leading the way while advanced economies expand more slowly,’ said Mr Nesbitt. ‘Inflation is gradually easing, but regional differences mean some economies will still feel pressure. And risks remain, including trade tensions and financial vulnerabilities. Addressing tight labour markets, unravelling trade tariffs, and managing fiscal policies will be essential to steer growth in the coming months.’
Paschal Lynch added: ‘The construction sector reflects many of these global trends. Productivity in construction has lagged for years, improving just 1% per year, which is below the broader global economy. Short-term headwinds include rising interest rates, supply chain challenges, and slowing real estate activity in some markets. Despite this, there is long-term potential, although this optimism is cautious.'
‘The webinar will open the door for discussion on how next year will look for the construction industry on a global scale, and we’ll focus in on some key trends we expect to see across individual markets, such as how the UK’s recent Budget may impact the demand for construction materials, how European markets are responding to inflation and energy costs, and how US tariffs are impacting cost structures for builders and developers worldwide.’
The Engineering Insights Webinar: 2026 Market Outlook will take place on 10 December at 15:00 (16:00 CET/10:00 EST). For more information and to register, click here
