UK cement manufacturing has hit its lowest degree since 1950, in line with new knowledge from the Mineral Merchandise Affiliation (MPA).
The United Kingdom made 7.3 million tonnes of cement in 2024, which is round part of what it produced in 1990. In the meantime, imports have soared as UK vegetation fall underneath international possession.
It follows contemporary MPA knowledge appearing ready-mix concrete gross sales hit ancient lows in the second one quarter of 2025, with different fabrics additionally down at the earlier 12 months.
The drop in cement manufacturing places the federal government’s house-building and infrastructure plans in peril, the MPA is caution, since cement is essential for constructing foundations and buildings. As much as 750,000 tonnes of cement might be required for a challenge like Sizewell C and just about 8,000 tonnes for a brand new sanatorium, whilst between 3 and 5 tonnes are had to construct a conventional four-bedroom circle of relatives dwelling.
Whilst UK manufacturing has fallen, cement imports to the United Kingdom have just about tripled during the last two decades, emerging from 12% of all gross sales in 2008 to 32% in 2024. This leaves development provide chains more and more uncovered to the dangers of risky world markets. Round 40% of UK cement is made within the Top District, whilst the remainder 60% is unfold throughout all 4 international locations of the United Kingdom, offering well-paid, productive jobs. Then again, as imports upward push, there’s a possibility that home jobs may disappear one day.
The United Kingdom’s cement vegetation are fighting one of the most perfect business electrical energy costs amongst advanced international locations and asymmetric carbon taxation, which means that importers – particularly the ones outdoor of the EU – don’t pay the similar prices for his or her emissions. The United Kingdom’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is meant to handle this from 2027, nevertheless it must be supported with a procurement coverage that prioritises locally produced fabrics, the MPA says.
Diana Casey, government director for cement and lime on the Mineral Merchandise Affiliation, mentioned: “Cement is an crucial trade, however the sector is more and more underneath danger. We’re calling at the govt to assist put home manufacturing on a degree enjoying box in order that it might probably compete somewhat with imports.
“Cement rather actually underpins the country’s expansion and we will’t ship new properties, colleges, hospitals, delivery hyperlinks or blank power infrastructure with out it. The United Kingdom has a call: to construct those essential building initiatives with UK-made cement, or to construct them with imports – sending jobs, funding and financial expansion in another country.”
Maximum UK cement vegetation are underneath international possession anyway – Cemex, Heidelberg, Holcim and CRH for instance – which makes their long term much more precarious, it might be argued.
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