Skip to main content

Asphalt demand slows in the UK

Research reveals that demand for asphalt has slipped in the UK. This comes after good sales of asphalt in the UK during 2015 and on the back of two years of market growth. The latest figures suggest that the asphalt market could fall by 3% in 2016, after recovering by nearly 20% in the previous two years. These are some of the conclusions of BDS Marketing’s annual report on the sector that has just been published, called ‘Estimated outputs of asphalt plants in Great Britain’. Commenting on the report,
November 17, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Research reveals that demand for asphalt has slipped in the UK. This comes after good sales of asphalt in the UK during 2015 and on the back of two years of market growth. The latest figures suggest that the asphalt market could fall by 3% in 2016, after recovering by nearly 20% in the previous two years.

These are some of the conclusions of BDS Marketing’s annual report on the sector that has just been published, called ‘Estimated outputs of asphalt plants in Great Britain’.

Commenting on the report, Andy Sales from BDS Marketing said, “The current decline is not due to the Brexit vote. Asphalt markets started to fall at the start of the year. The picture is not consistent across the whole market. There is a largely north-south divide with growth so far in 2016 only in Scotland and across northern England.”

BDS expects the market to stabilise by the middle of 2017 before further growth in each of the next two years. This is due to the timing of major road schemes and an anticipated increase in 8100 Highways England expenditure.

The BDS report lists the estimated outputs of all 275 asphalt plants currently operating. It identifies 2399 Tarmac as the largest asphalt supplier with around one third of the market. The top five companies also comprise 2297 Aggregate Industries, 2644 Hanson, 3016 Cemex and Breedon. Between them, these companies are estimated to have over 80% of the market. The rest of the market is represented by around 30 companies.

BDS estimates that the typical ranking of companies at a regional level shows that Tarmac is the largest asphalt producer in seven of 10 regions. Aggregate Industries is usually the second largest company in each region.

Asphalt companies are gearing up for improved markets. BDS has identified six new asphalt plants that have opened in the last year. A further six mothballed plants have also re-opened. The consultancy has also picked up proposals for eight new plants at some stage in the planning system.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • EAPA’s data shows Europe’s asphalt use in 2022
    February 20, 2024
    EAPA’s latest data reveals a picture of Europe’s asphalt use in 2022.
  • Gully and road waste is still overlooked and needlessly sent to landfill
    February 16, 2015
    Road sweepings and gully waste could be recycled, diverting it away from landfill reports *Peter Craven. Highway authorities across Europe have been stockpiling millions of tonnes of rock salt and grit which is destined to be spread onto the road network during the winter months in order to keep them clear. But according to Craven, road sweepings and general gully waste provide a ready source of these materials, as well as delivering significant environmental and financial savings. Road sweepings and gully
  • Multiple asphalt plants supply major highway construction
    July 12, 2012
    One company has produced eight asphalt plants for a major project, and others are introducing new models as Patrick Smith reports Algeria's US$11.2 billion East-West Highway development, the world's largest current highway construction project, forms part of the larger Trans-Maghreb Motorway project, and is scheduled for completion in 2010. It will run for 1,216km, ensuring the link between Annaba in the north-east and Tlemcen in the north-west, passing directly through 24 provinces and linking Algeria to T
  • Market development of low temperature asphalt in the UK
    November 20, 2014
    New developments in low temperature asphalt offer both cost and environmental benefits - Dr Nizar Ghazireh (Lafarge Tarmac) & Dennis Day (Nynas Bitumen) Low temperature asphalt (LTA) technology has considerable potential for reducing carbon emissions associated with road construction. The lower temperatures used to manufacture these materials mean that less energy is required and therefore lower emissions, which create better working conditions and result in lower impact on the environment.