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

  • New concrete barrier on key M5 motorway section
    October 30, 2012
    Contractor Tarmac has carried out major works on the UK’s M5 motorway after recycling around 30,000tonnes of concrete and providing 8,000m3 of new concrete for new slip-form central barrier works. The project, between Junctions 3 and 4a of the M5, was delivered as part of an eight-week scheme to install 13km of new concrete safety barrier. Approximately 30,000 tonnes of concrete were excavated and then crushed into Type 1 and 6F5 aggregates at Tarmac’s recycling site in Ettingshall, Wolverhampton. Over 14,0
  • ALARMing UK road statistics, from the Asphalt Industry Alliance
    March 27, 2017
    Within years, one in six of UK local roads will need repairs or face closure, according to the latest Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance – ALARM - survey. The cumulative effect of an ageing network, decades of underfunding, increased traffic and wetter winters has led to around 17% of all local roads reportedly in poor structural condition, with less than five years of life remaining. The 22nd annual ALARM survey is a comprehensive study into local road maintenance funding and conditions. Loca
  • Beyond cost: forging a solutions-led partnership for highways carbon-saving
    December 30, 2024
    Changing highways procurement is increasingly focusing material specification to drive carbon savings as well as cost. A longstanding partnership between Huyton Asphalt and Tarmac is delivering new solutions for highways clients in the UK.
  • Peru’s Matarani – Punta de Bonbon Highway
    January 5, 2016
    A major new highway project in Peru will improve connectivity for the Arequipa region - Mauro Nogarin writes Peru’s Matarani-Bonbon road project is an important route and forms part of the Camana - Dv Quilca - Ilo - Tacna highway project. The road stretches through several provinces in the Arequipa region. The deadline for completing the work is 720 days after January 2015, and it is scheduled to be completed by December 2016. Progress has been good and as of July 2015, it was 80% completed. The main