According to Ciment Català, cement consumption in Cataluña reached 102 262 t in January 2015. This is 0.3% higher than in January 2014 and represents the fourth consecutive month of growth. However, the cement association notes that the rate of growth is so slight that it would be more accurate to refer to it as ‘stabilisation’ of minimum market levels rather than as a recovery. The rate of growth is also lower than that of Spain as a whole in January. Figures released by Oficemen indicate that domestic consumption in the country increased by 5.2% y/y to 769 838 t.
Cataluña did outperform national figures when it came to exports. Ciment Català’s members exported 147 299 t of cement and clinker in January. Although this is 47.9% lower than the volumes reported in January 2014, some 26.5% of Spanish cement exports were produced by plants in Cataluña.
Companies associated with Ciment Català produced a total of 156 921 t of cement in January, down 17.1% y/y.
In the 12 months to January 2015, cement production volumes rose by 9.9% y/y, consumption in Cataluña fell by 8.7% y/y, and cement and clinker exports were up 59.1% y/y.
Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham