The slate market - France

Since 2020, France remains the world's largest consumer of slate despite a structural decline in the domestic market which has seen consumption decrease. Nearly all slate consumed in France is imported, largely from Spain, which virtually monopolizes world production, providing approximately 90% of global supply. Spanish producer Cupa Pizarras is a market leader with a reported turnover of 430 million euros. In the French slate market, small businesses, particularly in ornamental stone trade, are prevalent, though overall employment in this segment has decreased. Much of the demand for slate is linked to the construction sector, especially housing construction and renovation, with a significant portion of work carried out to improve homes.

Despite technological innovations in the sector and the material's renowned durability, the slate market faces challenges related to high costs, the requirement for solid roofing infrastructure, and a minimum roof pitch for installation. The market is largely segmented between global leaders and French distributors, with strict European standards regulating the quality of slate based on water absorption, thermal shock resistance, and sulfur dioxide exposure.

Fluctuating dynamics of the French Slate Market

In analyzing the French slate market, one must consider the multifaceted nature of the demand, the predominance of imports, and the technological innovations reshaping the industry. France stands as a global leader in slate consumption, heavily relying on imports to meet its substantial demand for the material, primarily due to an almost complete exhaustion of domestic slate deposits. As of the time of our cutoff, it is estimated that France annually consumes between 190,000 and 210,000 tons of slate, a significant decrease from the peak consumption of between 280,000 and 320,000 tons in earlier years.

The demand is closely tied to the construction industry, particularly the housing construction sector, with residential housing construction being a critical determinant for slate demand. Given that housing (both individual and collective) represents the majority of constructions by square meters, the market for slate remains predominantly driven by new housing projects. This includes a focus on roofing works, though it's important to note that these projects are not the most common type of work undertaken by French homeowners. Slate's durability, with lifespans of up to 100 years, and its innate waterproofing, insulation, and fire-resistant properties bolster its market position. Yet, the high initial cost and the need for a robust structural foundation due to slate's weight are considerable drawbacks. Moreover, the roof pitch required for installation limits its applicability.

From the perspective of market structure, there's a noticeable predominance of small businesses in the stone trades sector, with companies engaged in ornamental stone extraction, including slate, representing only between 6 and 8 percent of the market. The dwindling slate production has been evidenced by a decline in employees within the ornamental and building stone quarrying sector, reducing from around 1,550 to 1,400. This decline in production stands in contrast to Spain's dominion over production, with the country claiming nearly 90% of the world's slate output and an average slate worker producing between 1.9 and 2.5 million pieces annually. The presence of global industry leaders like Cupa Pizarras exemplifies the monopoly that Spanish companies hold on the market.

Regulations play an instrumental role in the slate industry, setting standards for the quality of slate sold in Europe. Quality criteria based on water absorption rates, resistance to thermal shock, oxidation, and exposure to acid rain ensure the durability and robustness of the slate used in construction projects.

 Key Players Dominating the Slate Market Landscape

The slate market is characterized by a tight knit of influential players who have established themselves as dominant forces in the global sphere of slate production and distribution. Among these, certain companies stand out due to their expansive operations, historical presence, and market influence.

• Cupa Pizarras: As the pinnacle of natural slate production, Cupa Pizarras not only leads but arguably defines the industry standards. Based in Spain, which wields a virtual monopoly over the world's slate supply, Cupa Pizarras is renowned for offering slate of exceptional quality, contributing to Spain's status as a global powerhouse in the sector. Their extensive product range and advanced quarrying techniques enable them to sustain a top position in the market, fulfilling a substantial part of the international demand for natural slate.
  
  
• Pizarras y Derivados: Also hailing from Spain, Pizarras y Derivados maintains a significant role in the slate industry. Though their financial figures are not publicly disclosed, they are noted for their contributions to the robust Spanish slate export market, providing a variety of slate products for both domestic use and international clientele.
  
  
• Rathscheck: Rathscheck represents another prominent figure in the slate industry, supplying a wide array of slate products for various applications. Their expertise and longstanding market presence contribute to the overall competitiveness and diversification of the international slate market.
  
  
• On the distribution front, companies like Saint Gobain and La-rivière play pivotal roles within the French market, where slate consumption is notably high. Saint Gobain's presence extends beyond French borders, with a diverse range of building materials including slate, cementing its position as a key distributor in the slate sector. La-rivière, although more focused on the French market, still contributes substantially to the availability and distribution of slate products within the country.

Together, these companies create a market structure where leadership is based on production capabilities, distribution networks, and the ability to cater to an ever-demanding and discerning global customer base. Each company's history, specialization, and strategic positioning ensure that the slate market remains dynamic and that the traditional appeal of slate as a building material is preserved and propagated.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 05/09/2021

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Exports of processed slate for roofing and facades
• Exports of worked natural stone tiles, cubes and cubes, including slate
• Imports of worked slate for roofs and facades
• Imports of worked natural stone tiles, cubes and cubes, including slate
• Exports of processed natural slate and agglomerated natural slate products
• Imports of processed natural slate and works in natural or agglomerated slate
• Slate exports in square or rectangular blocks or slabs
• Slate imports in square or rectangular blocks or slabs
• Annual construction output
• Breakdown by type of new build
• Residential housing construction
• Types of work undertaken
• Types of work carried out by single-family home owners
• Triggering events for the construction of single-family homes
• Motivations for work on single-family homes
• Number of companies with fewer than 20 employees in the stone-masonry market
• Number of employees in ornamental and building stone quarries, including slate quarries
• Employment structure in the stone trades market