Concrete prefabrication industry: activity in sharp decline in 2023 and unfavorable outlook for 2024

Data from the monthly FIB/Xerfi Specific survey highlight negative developments for almost all of the product families surveyed intended for buildings, with the exception of reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete floor slabs, over 11 cumulative months at the end November 2023, compared to 2022.

• -22,2% for interviews
• -19% for all joists
• -14,1% for blocks,
• -1,5% for pre-slabs
• +3,9% for floor slabs

-9,1% for prefabricated concrete products intended for public works

All products intended for public works are down compared to the year 2022 over 11 months cumulative to the end of November:

• -26,6% for reinforced pipes
• -13,7% for road slabs
• -8,6% for paving stones
• -7% for looks
• -4% for borders

For the year 2023, the activity, in volume, of the concrete prefabrication industry should experience a decline of around -13% for all prefabricated concrete products combined, compared to 2022.

The evolution of turnover, all products combined, will probably decline slightly in 2023.

Outlook 2024

In a context of crisis in the building sector, having a very strong impact on housing, and a very slight increase in the public works sector, the activity of the Concrete prefabrication industry will be clearly on a downward trend in 2024. These Forecasts do not take into account increasingly present regional disparities, as well as the impact of the 2024 Olympic Games.

The change in volume of prefabricated concrete products intended for buildings would be around -20%

• -20% for blocks
• -25% for beams
• -15% for pre-slabs
• -10% for floor slabs

The change in volume of prefabricated concrete products intended for public works would be around -5%

• -5% for sanitation products
• -5% for road products

In conclusion, the FIB Economy Commission forecasts an evolution of around -15%, in volume, of prefabricated concrete products intended for buildings and public works for the year 2024, throughout France.

After a year 2023 marked by significant declines in the volume of prefabricated concrete products, the year 2024 therefore sees a once again unfavorable outlook, in particular for products intended for the building sector.

In this context, the FIB will continue its mobilization in 2024 on all key subjects and changes in the construction sector, particularly linked to the environmental transition and EPR, to increase the visibility of the Concrete Industry and highlight the assets of its prefabricated solutions.