2008 Games to buoy aggregates market

China will consolidate its position as the world's largest market for construction aggregates over the
next four years, accord-ing to a study by the Freedonia Group. Demand is expected to grow
annually by 8 per cent to stand at 5.7bn tonnes in 2007, when it will account for about a
quarter of the world total. However, this projected rate of growth is down on the average 9.9
per cent increase over the previous decade.
Future demand for aggregates will be sustained by the country's continued high level of industralisation and infrastructure con-
struction activity. Examples of major projects include the Three Gorges dam, the 2008
Summer Olympics in Beijing and the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.
China's construction aggregates industry is dominated by local companies, such as Beijing
Nankou Quarry and Hebei Luanx-Ian Quarry. Foreign multinationals with aggregate mining
and processing facilities include CSR and Hanson.