Cemex predicts 20% volume rise

Cement volumes from Cemex's UK operations are expected to increase by 20% during the second quarter compared with the same period last year.

The aggregates giant is now operating at full capacity following planned shutdowns in February and March, which contributed to cement shortages.

All three of its cement plants have achieved efficiency levels of 95.4% in the period January to June. The company expects this level of production to continue and cement volumes for the year to increase by around 7%.

Cemex has also begun work on a £27m grinding plant at Tilbury in Essex which, when it is up and running next year, will increase its cement capacity by 20%.