More than 100 potential jobs which could be created by a new cement works at Weston are still at least six years away.
Consents to build a dry process plant at Weston, which would employ 120 people, have been in place since 2009, but cement giant Holcim has delayed a decision to whether to go ahead with the project for a fifth time in three years.
Holcim New Zealand capital projects manager Ken Cowie said the "uncertain" international financial situation meant the Weston project would not be considered further until next year.
However, he stressed the project had not been scrapped.
"In this very challenging environment, the Weston project continues to have the support of Holcim and the team are refining project information and working on various elements to ensure that the project proposal remains in a state of readiness for future consideration."
If and when Holcim decides to proceed with the Weston plant, it will take five years to build.
The Swiss-owned company proposed a new plant at Weston in order to replace its Westport works, which produces 500,000 tonnes of cement a year.
The Weston plant would produce about 880,000 tonnes a year.
A decision on the future of the project had been expected to be made before the end of this year, after the company delayed a decision in October 2011.
