BCA: UK cement industry - cement and clinker sales rise in 2007

The UK cement industry has published its figures for cement sales for 2007. Despite a seasonal downturn at year end, domestic cement sales showed a 4.8% increase over the 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. 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, BCA. “The British cement industry continues to invest in improving its performance to meet the challenges ahead and each year the industry has exceeded the energy efficiency targets set by government under the UK Climate Change Agreement. Cement manufacture has achieved a 27.5% improvement in energy efficiency since 1990 under its climate change agreement with UK government. The cement industry is of major importance to our national economy as it supplies an essential product to the construction and civil engineering industries.”

Investment by BCA members in recent years is reflected in improved plant efficiency and enhanced distribution networks. Annually BCA members produce some 12 million tonnes of cement, meeting 90% of the UK’s demand for this essential building material.


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For further information:

Diana Maxwell, Head of Public Affairs and External Communications, British Cement Association: telephone 01276 608708, mobile 07866 388250, e-mail dmaxwell@bca.org.uk or
Melanie Osler, Communications Executive, British Cement Association, telephone: 01276 608707, mobile 07870 179769, e-mail mosler@bca.org.uk

Notes to editors:

The British Cement Association (BCA) is the trade and research organisation representing the interests of the United Kingdom’s cement industry in its relations with government, the European Union and relevant UK organisations. The members of the BCA (Castle Cement, CEMEX UK, Lafarge Cement UK and Tarmac Buxton Lime and Cement) are the major domestic manufacturers of Portland cement producing over 90% of the cement sold in the UK.

The cement industry has an annual turnover of £775 million and is a major supplier to the construction industry. It employs around 3,500 people directly with a further 15,000 jobs depending upon its operations.

Further information on BCA activities can be downloaded from www.cementindustry.co.uk

1. BCA Statistical information is published on the BCA web-site www.cementindustry.co.uk, in the “Industry” section, menu option “Fact File”.

2. The UK cement industry CO2 emissions for 2006 were 3.9 million tonnes lower than those in 1990, a saving of 29%. Part of the CO2 emissions reduction has been achieved through the replacement of fossil fuels with waste derived fuel and the use of waste and by-products from other industries instead of natural raw materials. This resulted in the use of over one million tonnes of recovered materials in 2006 and the thermal replacement of fossil fuels by over 14%.