The combined sales of cement in Poland dropped by about 25 per cent year-on-year to 1.1Mt in the first quarter of 2005, mainly due to the prolonged winter which had caused a halt in construction works, it was reported on April 14, 2005. In the first quarter of 2004, the demand for cement grew significantly due to the expected introduction of a 22 pct value added tax (VAT) on building materials. The new tax came into force in May 2004. Nevertheless, Polish cement producers are optimistic about the future of the sector. They believe it will recover in 2006, when a boom in the construction market is expected. Among the country’s largest cement makers are Gorazdze, owned by German cement concern HeidelbergCement; Ozarow, owned by Irish CRH; Malogoszcz, owned by Lafarge and Kujawy, owned by Dyckerhoff (Buzzi Unicem). Published under Cement News