Building industry struggles in Britain could potentially jeopardize our website development projects?

The UK cement industry has been facing challenges in recent years, with production figures indicating a long-term downward trend. According to data from the Mineral Products Association (MPA), cement production in 2024 reached a record low of 7.3 million tonnes, the lowest since records began in 1950.

This decline in domestic production has left the sector exposed to international price swings, as imports of cement have increased from 12% of sales in 2008 to 32% in 2024. High energy bills and volatile imports could lead to higher costs and possible delays for builders, making building materials costs less predictable for homebuilders.

The MPA has reported that sales of ready-mixed concrete fell to 2.7 million cubic metres in the second quarter of 2025, the weakest quarter since 1963. This decline in demand for ready-mixed concrete mirrors the trend seen in cement production.

Breedon Group, a leading producer of raw materials, attributes the low cement production figures to a generation of underinvestment in housing and infrastructure. The industry body Make UK blames high industrial energy costs and tougher carbon taxes for the decline in UK cement production.

However, there is potential for improvement through policy support and innovation. The Mineral Products Association is pushing for government contracts to favour domestically made cement. A Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is planned for 2027 to put carbon costs on imports and give UK producers a fairer footing.

Innovate UK is funding trials for low-carbon cements like LC3 cement and cement-free concretes, which could reduce embodied carbon by 20-40%. These advancements could help stabilise supply and contribute to the UK's sustainability goals.

The outlook for cement production and its impact on housing plans is mixed, but with policy support and new technology, supply could stabilise. Housing targets are at risk if domestic cement production continues to stay weak, but with the right measures in place, the industry could see a turnaround.

Building a traditional four-bedroom family house requires around three to five tonnes of cement, according to the MPA. As the UK continues to face housing shortages, it is crucial to address the challenges in the cement industry to ensure a stable supply of building materials and support the construction of new homes.

Building industry struggles in Britain could potentially jeopardize our website development projects?