LONDON — May 28, 2026 — UK construction output fell 1.8% year-on-year in May 2026, deepening from a 1.6% decline in April and marking the seventh consecutive month of contraction. New work dropped for an eighth straight month, down 5.8% compared with May 2025, while repair and maintenance growth eased to a five-month low. On a monthly basis, output was down 0.8%, the second successive monthly drop.

UK Construction Output & Forecast Data (Source: CPA)

Construction Metric	Reported Figure / Rate	Additional Context
May 2026 YoY Output	-1.8%	Deepened from -1.6% in April; 7th consecutive month of contraction
May 2026 MoM Output	-0.8%	Second successive monthly drop
New Work (vs May 2025)	-5.8%	Dropped for an eighth straight month
Repair & Maintenance Growth	5-month low	Growth eased across the sector
2026 CPA Full-Year Forecast	-2.5% contraction	Steepest downward revision since 2022 energy price shock
Private Housing Output Forecast	-7.0%	Expected full-year drop
Private Housing R&M Forecast	-8.0%	Expected full-year drop
Infrastructure Output Forecast	+3.2% (2026) / +3.4% (2027)	Supported by £725B 10-year strategy to 2035

Despite the gloomy headline figures, infrastructure remains a bright spot. Infrastructure output is forecast to rise 3.2% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027, supported by energy, water, and rail contracts under the government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy, which commits at least £725 billion in public funding to 2035.

The flat glass market is navigating these cross-currents. The United Kingdom flat glass market was valued at USD 9.82 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 10.25 billion in 2026, expanding at a CAGR of 4.4% through 2034. In May 2026, NSG Group (Pilkington UK) expanded its portfolio of low-carbon architectural glass by introducing advanced energy-efficient glazing solutions to support sustainable construction and net-zero building initiatives across the United Kingdom.

Flat Glass & Soda Ash Market Statistics

Market Factor	Stated Value / Fact
UK Flat Glass Valuation (2025)	USD 9.82 Billion
UK Flat Glass Projected Valuation (2026)	USD 10.25 Billion
Flat Glass Market CAGR (2025–2034)	4.4%
Sodium Carbonate Requirement	~200 kg per ton of float glass
Glass Share of Global Soda Ash Revenue (2024)	Estimated 55%
UK Soda Ash CAGR (by 2036)	3.4%
UK Disodium Carbonate Imports (2024)	About USD 92.5 Million (Main suppliers: Turkey, US)
UK Government Housing Target	1.5 million new homes by 2029

The divergence between shrinking private construction and expanding infrastructure investment is creating a two-speed market for dense soda ash. While new-build residential glass demand weakens, energy-efficient retrofit programmes and public infrastructure projects are sustaining consumption. The UK government’s commitment to 1.5 million new homes by 2029, though currently off pace, also underpins longer-term demand for container and flat glass.

Disclaimer: The market data and figures presented in this article are based on publicly available trade statistics and industry estimates as of May 2026. They are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment or trading advice. Actual figures may vary.