Citing pent-up demand, Portland Cement Association chief economist Edward Sullivan say he expects to see a 5% growth in portland cement consumption in 2016, with a further 5.7% growth of growth in 2017. This is an improvement over the growth rate from 2015, which was only 3.5%.
The energy sector gave construction starts a furious burst this year, but as that fades, the recovery will maintain its modest pace, with economists calling for further growth in 2016
After a tentative start, the construction recovery hit full stride this year, and it is expected to keep pace in 2016, according to economists surveyed by ENR.