UK cement sales rise in 2007
THE UK cement industry has published figures for cement sales in 2007 which, despite a seasonal downturn at the year end, show a 4.8% increase in domestic sales over the whole year. Cement production by British Cement Association (BCA) members – Castle Cement, CEMEX UK, Lafarge Cement UK and Tarmac Buxton Lime and Cement – rose 3.6% in the same period. The BCA says these figures were achieved despite short-term issues early in 2007 when demand temporarily outstripped supply.
‘Over the past decade, the UK cement industry has invested over £200 million to improve plants and increase capacity. Current results have been achieved despite the impact of rising energy costs and reflect the responsible management of the sector by our members,’ said Dr Pal Chana, acting chief executive of the BCA.
He added that the British cement industry had continued to invest in improving its performance to meet the challenges ahead and each year it had exceeded the energy-efficiency targets set by government under the UK Climate Change Agreement.
According to the BCA, cement manufacture has achieved a 27.5% improvement in energy efficiency since 1990 under the industry’s climate-change agreement with the UK Government, while investment by BCA members in recent years has been reflected in improved plant efficiency and enhanced distribution networks.
Annually, BCA members produce some 12 million tonnes of cement, meeting 90% of UK demand.
