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Brighter prospects in sight for European asphalt

Mar, 24 2009

(UK)  --  EUROPEAN asphalt markets may have lagged behind other heavy building materials in recent years, but a major new market survey by BDS Marketing Research Ltd suggests this is about to change.

With aggregates and ready-mixed concrete markets in decline across Europe, one of the benefits of governments’ attempts to boost economies will be increased expenditure on infrastructure projects, including road building.

BDS estimate that the European asphalt market is currently around 335 million tonnes and say this is expected to increase to around 350 million tonnes by 2010. In particular, the consultancy is forecasting market increases in Poland, Austria, Greece and the Slovak Republic.

However, prospects are considered to be less optimistic in Great Britain, Finland and France.

According to the survey, Poland and the Slovak Republic, together with Turkey, have seen the fastest growing asphalt markets since 2000, but the market has been falling in Denmark, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland.

The French-based companies Vinci and Bouygues are estimated to be the largest asphalt companies in Europe, and together with companies such as Strabag, Tarmac and NCC, the top 10 asphalt companies are thought to represent around 35% of total production.

BDS say the largest companies have benefited from a policy in many countries that now prefers the long-term design, build and maintenance of roads, particularly those firms who have the necessary financial ability to offer all these services and can source asphalt from within the business.

Another key trend identified by BDS is the increasing vertical integration of asphalt companies keen to acquire aggregates reserves for asphalt production.

As well as providing an analysis of industry prospects, the report on the asphalt market in 20 European countries assesses recent trends in acquisition activity, industry volumes and estimates the market shares of the leading companies in each country.

Contact BDS Marketing Research Ltd

Telephone:	+44 (0)1761 433035
Fax:	+44 (0)1761 434579
Address:	BDS Marketing Research Ltd,
	Lonsdale House,
	Single Hill,
	Shoscombe,
	Nr Bath
	BA2 8LZ
	United Kingdom

Web:   http://www.bdsmarketing.co.uk/cms/