Market situation regarding the future of concrete - Global indicators, technical developments and cost trends - The market for reinforcement and prestressing steel

The market for reinforcement and prestressing steel, which are both used in the construction industry, is discussed. There are several similarities as well as dissimilarities between reinforcement and prestressing steel. Since the beginning of 2004, both sectors have been experiencing an uncertain price trend for both their input materials and for the sale of their products. Around 28 manufacturers from all across Europe, have produced a total of 150,00 tons of prestressed wire, about 460,000 tons of prestressing strands, and an estimated 80,000 tons of steel reinforcement bars. About 80 manufacturers have produced about 24 million tons of reinforcement steel bars, coils, and mats for the European market in 2007. The two sectors are using different distribution channels to deliver their products. The progress in European reinforcement and prestressing steel standardization also varies across the two sectors.