Cement demand in France rose by an estimated 2.5 per cent to 18.6Mt in 2018, according to SFIC, the country’s cement association. In 2017 the market expanded by 4.5 per cent.

The positive result comes despite a drop in housing starts. Housing accounts for around a third of cement demand, with a further third supplied to public works and the balance for the renovation of existing buildings and new non-residential construction.

However, despite a slow first half of 2018, which saw consumption edge up by only 0.2 per cent YoY, the market picked up in the second half.

Cement imports remained stable at around 15 per cent of domestic consumption.

For 2019 the association expects a stable market, with the downturn in housing predicted to be offset by an increase in public works and commercial real estate.