The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has launched a market study into the UK aggregates sector.

The aggregates sector is substantial, with a turnover in 2008 of £4.8bn. The majority of aggregates are used in the construction of homes and roads, much of it for making products such as ready-mixed concrete, concrete products, mortar and asphalt. Aggregates are also used as base material under foundations, roads, and railways.

Aggregates is a sector with high barriers to entry, increasing concentration at the local level and Government involvement in the form of a national system of control over outputs. The study will look at all of these factors to determine how they influence competitive conditions and whether the market delivers good value for money to tax payers and end consumers as the cost of aggregates flows through to the construction of essential infrastructure.

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Heather Clayton, Senior Director of Infrastructure, said: "In the present climate, well-functioning markets are even more important to help spur economic growth.

"Aggregates is an important sector in its own right but it is also part of the larger construction industry which plays a key role in the country's economy. Because the cost of aggregates is reflected in the price consumers, and tax payers, pay for essential infrastructure, from housing through to roads and major capital building projects, it is important that the market is as competitive as possible."

The market study is expected to be completed by July 2011.

(CD/GK)