For a better use of sustainability

Against the background of further declining sales in the building trade, this year’s joint general meeting of the Industrial Division “Concrete and Mortar” of the Association of the Mineral Building Materials Industry (Unternehmensverband Mineralische Baustoffe – UVBM) and the divisions mortar and dry-batched materials as well as ready-mix concrete of the Building ­Materials Quality Control Board (Baustoffüberwachungsverband BÜV Ost) took place in Bad Saarow from 11^th to 12^th November 2009. Michael Warzecha, chairman of the Industrial Division “Concrete and Mortar”, reported that there was a decrease in production of – 11 % and in turnover of – 8  % as regards read-mix concrete in the region of the association from 2008 to 2009. The forecasts for 2010 still show a negative trend, even if this has eased off slightly, with a drop in production of –7 % and a decrease in turnover of – 4  %. In particular in residential construction things are looking grim at present, said Warzecha. In addition to the crisis, he believes that the difficult granting of loans and the generally required mobility of the employees are the main reasons. Less residential property will be created since the employees have to move to the place of work and prefer to live in rented accommodation there.