“We are not really optimistic about the cement market in 2018. We estimate about 2% growth because there are few non-residential projects and, as far as infrastructure is concerned, if some of the projects started are completed, that’s a good thing,” Mihai Rohan, CIROM chairman, says.
The cement market grew by 6.6% to 8.4 million tons in Romania in 2017. Romania has seven cement plants held by three major manufacturers, which are also the top three construction material manufacturers.
Holcim, member of the French-Swiss group LafargeHolcim has two plants in Campulung and Alesd, Germany’s HeidelbergCement owns plants in Bicaz, Deva and Fieni and Ireland’s CRH has facilities in Hoghiz and Medgidia. Besides local production the market also imports cement, mainly from Turkey and Ukraine.
CIROM’s estimates about the market trend in 2018 are based on the slow start of the year for the construction market.
“The year had a difficult start due to the weather, especially in March, when temperature differences did not help construction, causing a several-week freeze thereof.”
The weather is not the only factor that made a negative impact on the construction market, the shortage of labor hurt it, too.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)