Non-refractory mortars and concretes market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian market for non-refractory mortars and concretes began the period with the publication of the national standard NBN B 15-001 in 2018, which complemented the European norm EN 206 by defining precise application conditions for specification, performance, production, and conformity of concrete in Belgium. This regulatory clarity supported production volumes, which started at 20.7 million tonnes that year. Over the next two years, market volume saw a gradual decline, stabilizing around 19.8 million tonnes by 2020.

A significant upturn occurred in 2021, with market volume exceeding 21 million tonnes. This recovery coincided with the reform of the Belgian construction materials price index (Indice I 2021), which was implemented to facilitate price tracking in the sector and brought greater transparency to pricing for non-refractory mortars and concretes. The higher market level was largely maintained through 2022, with volume just above 21 million tonnes.

The market contracted sharply from 2023, with production falling to 19.0 million tonnes and further to 17.5 million tonnes in 2024. This decline was driven by a significant increase in the prices of construction materials, including cement and concrete products, linked to rising raw material and energy costs, which dampened demand. Concurrently, a rise in bankruptcies within the Belgian construction sector placed additional pressure on market activity. During this phase, the market also adapted to new environmental standards, such as the introduction of lower-carbon cements into the revised NBN B 15-001 norm and important regulatory changes to building energy performance (PEB) in the Brussels-Capital Region, which began shaping requirements for more sustainable materials.

Production non-refractory mortars and concretes in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Belgium, the output value of non-refractory mortars and concretes reached 817.9 million US dollars in 2020, marking a controlled increase of 6.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 768.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Belgium's production of non-refractory mortars and concretes declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 20 262 thousand tonnes, indicating a slight decrease of 1.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 7.7%, with a compound annual decline rate of 2.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports non-refractory mortars and concretes from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium's export volume of non-refractory mortars and concretes totalled 626.0 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate gain of 9.4% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 3.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 572.1 thousand tonnes, while the maximum was in 2018 at 650.5 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 12.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, France was the key buyer of non-refractory mortars and concretes from Belgium, accounting for 80.8% of total exports in kind, with a diversified group of other countries making up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Belgium exported 59 906 thousand US dollars worth of non-refractory mortars and concretes in 2020, up by 7.1% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 31.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 3.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 26.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg accounted for the largest share of exports in value terms, with 43.1%, 12.7%, and 8.8% respectively, together comprising 64.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2017-2020

Imports non-refractory mortars and concretes to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's import volume of non-refractory mortars and concretes increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 161.8 thousand tonnes, constituting a rise of 14.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 24.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy led as the top suppliers of non-refractory mortars and concretes to Belgium, with shares of 49.2%, 27.1%, and 13.9% respectively in kind, their combined share reaching 90.3% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Belgium's import value of non-refractory mortars and concretes increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported a total of 46 521 thousand US dollars, representing a strong increase of 18.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 32%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy remained the key partners in imports in value terms, with shares of 49.9%, 20.8%, and 16.6% respectively, together accounting for 87.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belgium in value, 2017-2020