Polish cement sector awakens
Domestic cement manufacturers in Poland have to satisfy the construction sector’s demand. Therefore they will invest as much as EUR1bn. However, prices of cement are still set to rise.
According to forecasts cement sales this year are to grow by 7-10 percent. But the boom is only just beginning. Although in 2006 the market absorbed 14.5Mt of cement, according to Lafarge Cement chairman Luc Callebat sales may double within a few years.
In order to meet the growing demand substantial investment is needed. Lafarge manufactures 3.3Mt of cement. However, it wants to increase this by 15 per cent this year. It will invest ZL100m. Callebat says the company will present its long-term strategy at the end of 2007. Since 1996 LC invested ZL1bn in Poland. Company representatives say Poland is taking advantage of the fact it has one of the most modern cement producers in Europe, and at the same time some of the lowest prices in the EU. Published under Cement News
