“The decrease of the masonry products demand was mainly triggered by unfavorable weather conditions in the first months of 2012 as well as by a drop in the number of new constructions, especially on the residential segment; during the analyzed period, 4.6% lower construction permits were issued. However, it is highly probably to recover part of the year-to-year decrease in the second semester,” according to Bogdan Funieru, managing director with Neomar Consulting.
Autoclaved cellular concrete (ACC) market faced the highest decrease, down 16% on the year in January to June, some of the producers closing their facilities during that period, according to the survey.
Hence, ACC exports are on an increasing trend, with a 47% growth in the first semester, at EUR1.2 million.