Buy the full study
Summary
Starting from 2020, the ready-mixed concrete (RMC) market in France faced uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with economic slowdowns affecting the sector's activity; this was reflected in a significant slump in construction activity by 89% in March 2020. Despite this, the sector remains highly competitive, with around 1,850 production units in metropolitan France and the prevalence of national groups such as Cemex and Lafarge Holcim.
Demand in residential and non-residential sectors remains a key driver, with regulations, notably the NF-BPE certification and environmental standards like HQE, impacting operations and signaling a shift towards more environmentally-friendly practices. Innovation is also seen in material design and distribution, aiming for reduced emissions and more efficient delivery models. The Pinel scheme, although set to end in 2021, provided short-term support that could extend further, hinting at sustained demand within the housing market.
Overall, while the full impact of the pandemic on the RMC market remains to be seen, adaptation through technological advances and environmental considerations are clear trends in an otherwise traditionally structured market.
Analysis of the Ready-Mixed Concrete Market in France
The ready-mixed concrete (RMC) market in France has exhibited moderate growth, largely influenced by the country's construction sector dynamics and supported by government measures such as the Pinel scheme. Ready-mixed concrete, essential for civil engineering, infrastructure, and the building of residential and non-residential premises like hospitals, is strategically produced close to construction sites due to its short lifespan post-manufacture, typically only around 2 hours. A spike in the use of RMC has been seen, with the market being served by approximately 1,850 production units in metropolitan France, managed by 225 independent companies. A substantial share of these units belong to national groups, some of which are world leaders like Cemex and Lafarge Holcim, while others are major national players such as Bernadet Construction and Unibéton.
The French construction sector, a significant driver for RMC demand, showed a preference for single-family homes, with around 19.4 million square meters in floor space, and multi-family housing at approximately 14.7 million square meters. This bifurcation sums up to two-thirds of the demand in housing, showcasing the stable nature of the market despite minor fluctuations over the years. Another aspect boosting the market is low-interest rates for property loans, which dropped significantly to about 1% in recent years, fueling construction activities and subsequently the RMC industry.
The market dynamics are characterized by competitive clustering, as the inherent nature of concrete requires producers to be located within a 30-kilometer radius of construction sites to maintain the product's viability. This geography-based competition leads to a market where a small number of companies account for a significant portion of sales, with approximately 300 companies making up 95% of the sector’s sales. Additionally, the RMC industry is adapting to environmental pressures by innovating with materials like clay cement and recycled household waste aggregates, striving to reduce carbon footprints and exploring digital outreach for decentralized distribution. The RMC sector's future, though uncertain due to the economic effects of the pandemic and the impending expiration of the Pinel scheme, has been resilient due to its intrinsic ties to the substantial and cyclical construction industry.
Overall, the French RMC market seems to be poised at a challenging yet potentially transformative juncture, fueled by the stable demand for housing, the advent of low-interest rates, and advances in.
Prominent Players Shaping the Ready-Mixed Concrete Market in France
The ready-mixed concrete (RMC) industry in France is characterized by a dynamic market where a blend of international giants and major national entities operate. Here are some of the cardinal players making significant strides in the French RMC landscape:
- Cemex : As a multinational building materials company, Cemex has firmly established its presence in the French market. With a wealth of resources at their disposal, they are a major player in the production and delivery of RMC, bringing advanced technologies and substantial industry experience to the table.
- Lafarge Holcim : Standing as one of the world leaders in the RMC sector, Lafarge Holcim's operations in France resonate with their global reputation for quality and innovation. Their commitment to sustainable building solutions aligns with the evolving environmental standards in the industry.
- Bernadet Construction : This company has carved out a significant niche as a leading national player. Bernadet Construction thrives on its ability to specialize in RMC applications, catering to a vast array of construction needs from large infrastructure projects to residential developments.
- Unibéton: A part of the HeidelbergCement Group, Unibéton is a key national player whose presence is quite pronounced across the country. They are known for their custom RMC solutions, serving an extensive clientele that ranges from individual homeowners to large construction firms.
- BHR : Although not as large as the world leaders, BHR stands as an important national entity within the RMC market. Their agility and localized approach afford them a deep understanding of the unique needs of the French construction sector.
These entities, each with their unique strengths and market approaches, collectively contribute to the robust landscape of the ready-mixed concrete market in France. They navigate the demands for high-quality construction materials with an eye towards environmental sustainability and industry regulations, ensuring the ready-mixed concrete they produce meets the specifications and standards required for modern construction practices.
to understand this market
Detailed content
Inforamtion
- Number of pages : 30 pages
- Format : Digital and PDF versions
- Last update : 15/11/2021
Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Definition and scope of study
The ready-mixed concrete (RMC) market in France covers all economic activity relating to the production and sale of this product. It is a derivative of concrete, made from sand, gravel, cement, water and additives.ready-mix concrete is prepared in plants and then transported to construction sites, where it must be used within 2 hours of manufacture. For this reason, it is generally produced in plants located less than 20 km from the worksite to which it is delivered.
Concrete is the most widely used building material in the world, thanks to its durability, efficiency and creative possibilities. Concrete is used in the construction of engineering structures, infrastructure and, more generally, in the building of housing and non-residential premises (hospitals, etc.).
The use of BPE has increased since 2015 in France, enabling the sector to enjoy moderate growth since then. Numerous measures had been taken by the authorities to support the construction sector, such as the Pinel scheme.
In 2022 in France, the SNBPE (Syndicat national du béton prêt à l'emploi) claims that there are 1,850 production units in metropolitan France, operated by 225 independent companies. A third of these plants are operated by national groups, including Cemex, Colas, Eqiom, LafargeHolcim, Point.P, Unibéton and Vicat.
List of charts
- Breakdown of floor area by sector
- Main ready-mix concrete producing countries
- Trend in the value of ready-mix concrete production
- Trend in the value of ready-mix concrete production
- Cumulative production of ready-mix concrete
All our studies are available online in PDF format
Take a look at an example of our research on another market!
Latest news
Eqiom's cement plant in Pas de Calais to ramp up production and reduce carbon emissions - 27/02/2024
- Site opened in 1884. 135 employees at the northern site.
- Production of 800,000 tonnes of cement per year.
- Subsidiary of CRH manufacturer Eqiom - a company with 76,000 employees.
- Eqiom operates 175 sites with a total of 1,500 employees.
Maison Bleue taken over by its managers - 15/02/2024
- Maison Bleue specializes in the prefabrication of concrete elements for industrial buildings.
- It has been taken over by the company's management.
- A consortium of 60 employees took a stake in the capital. Arkéa Capital (Crédit Mutuel Arkéa) and Océan Participations are part of the new round of financing.
- Maison Bleue operates throughout France, with 104 employees and 11,000 m2 of covered workshops.
- It generates sales close to 30 million euros.
Vicat Produits Industriels modernizes its Eure-et-Loir plant at a cost of 8 million euros - 12/10/2023
- Production line expanded from 150,000 to 300,000 tonnes of mortar and adhesive capacity at Vicat Produits Industriels (VPI).
- Sales of Vicat, the group specializing in building materials, in 2022: 3.642 billion euros.
- Total number of Vicat employees in 2022: 9900.
Modernization of West Paris ports - 06/10/2023
- Cemex supplies building materials and has 260 sites in France, including 11 ports in the Paris region.
- The project to modernize the industrial site at the Port de Point du Jour in Paris required an investment of 12.5 million euros and fourteen months' work.
- The site handles 350,000 tonnes of materials every year, equivalent to 10,000 trucks.
- The site is supported by a fleet of 100 barges that transport materials by river to Normandy.
- Every year, the Paris reach loads 2 million tonnes of goods, avoiding the passage of almost 100,000 trucks.
making cement from raw clay | Vicat and Materrup make cement from clay. - 28/08/2023
- Vicat, the cement group, and start-up Materrup plan to build a raw clay cement plant with a capacity of 60,000 tonnes per year by 2024.
- The plant will be built by the Borda Occitanie joint venture, equally owned by Vicat and Materrup.
- The plant will eventually create 10 jobs and require an investment of nearly €7 million.
- Materrup, founded in 2018, opened its first plant in March 2022 with a capacity of 60,000 tonnes per year and employs 18 people.
- Materrup plans to build ten cement plants in France and a further ten in Europe.
CO2 capture by Vicat in 2027 - 27/06/2023
- Montalieu-Vercieu cement plant belonging to the Vicat group, established in 1922.
- Current production capacity of 1.2 million tonnes of cement per year, with a maximum capacity of 2 million tonnes.
- Objective to capture 1 million tonnes of CO2 per year, given that the plant currently emits around 800,000 tonnes of CO2.
- Second-generation Oxyfuel technology studied in collaboration with two German cement manufacturers (Heidelberg Materials and Schwenk) and an Italian group (Buzzi Unicem) via the CI4C joint venture.
- Since September 2020, Vicat has been testing a device developed in partnership with Carbon8 Systems, in which the family-owned group has become a minority shareholder, to transform kiln dust into lightweight aggregates.
Companies quoted in this study
This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :
Choosing this study means :
Access to more than 35 hours of work
Our studies are the result of over 35 hours of research and analysis. Using our studies allows you to devote more time and added value to your projects.
Benefit from 6 years' experience and over 1,500 industry reports already produced
Our expertise enables us to produce comprehensive studies in all sectors, including niche and emerging markets.
Our know-how and methodology enable us to produce reports that offer unique value for money.
Access to several thousand articles and paid-for data
Businesscoot has access to all the paid economic press as well as exclusive databases to carry out its market research (over 30,000 articles and private sources).
To enhance our research, our analysts also use web indicators (semrush, trends, etc.) to identify market trends and company strategies. (Consult our paying sources)
Guaranteed support after your purchase
A team dedicated to after-sales service, to guarantee you a high level of satisfaction. +44 238 097 0676
A digital format designed for our users
Not only do you have access to a PDF, but also to a digital version designed for our customers. This version gives you access to sources, data in Excel format and graphics. The content of the study can therefore be easily retrieved and adapted for your specific needs.
Our offers :
the ready-mix concrete market | France
- What are the figures on the size and growth of the market?
- What is driving the growth of the market and its evolution?
- What is the positioning of companies in the value chain?
- Data from several dozen databases
Pack 5 études (-15%) France
- 5 études au prix de 75,6€HT par étude à choisir parmi nos 800 titres sur le catalogue France pendant 12 mois
- Conservez -15% sur les études supplémentaires achetées
- Choisissez le remboursement des crédits non consommés au terme des 12 mois (durée du pack)
Consultez les conditions du pack et de remboursement des crédits non consommés.
Our customer references
They have consulted our studies
Discover the opinions (+500)
Malcolm Vincent
Astoria Finance
Gregoire de Castelnau
Stags Participations
Timothé Huignard
PWC
Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff
BCG
Aymeric Granet
Publicis Consultant
interviews & case studies
All interviews and case studies (45)
