French cement demand hits 50-year low

Cement consumption in France fell a further 5.5 per cent to 18.2Mt in 2014, a level not seen since 1964, according to SFIC, the French cement association.

In addition, the latest figures indicate that the downward trend is continuing. In 1Q15, demand decreased 10 per cent when compared with 1Q14. For the full-year 2015, the association forecasts consumption to contract by 3.5 per cent YoY to 17.5Mt.

Meanwhile, the outlook for the construction industry remains mixed. While housebuilding is expected to be up one per cent to 360,000 new housing units, the non-residential building market is forecast to reduce its starts by 9.5 per cent.