World Cement & Concrete Additives Market

World demand to exceed $25 billion by 2017

World demand for cement and concrete additives is projected to surpass $25 billion by 2017. Although global growth in cement consumption is projected to decelerate somewhat, additive demand will increase considerably faster than it did in the 2007-2012 period, mainly because of rebounding construction activity in many of the world's most intensive additive-using markets. In North America, growth will be led by theUSmarket, due to rebounding construction activity, which has bolstered demand for both cement and additives. Similarly, Western Europe is projected to post strong gains due to an improved outlook for the construction industry. InAsia, growth in the enormous market in China -- which accounts for more than half of global cement consumption -- will decelerate from the breakneck pace registered in the past 10 years, but still be above average. Sustained advances in the large Indian market will boost regional growth, as will a rebound in Japan, where construction activity and cement consumption are expected to reverse a decade-long period of decline. In general, demand for additives in developing area will be bolstered by sustained growth in construction activity and increased cement consumption. Also, additive loading will continue to increase, as their use can shorten construction times, save on labor costs, reduce overall cement consumption in concrete applications, and bring concrete construction practices up to standard.

All major additive types to post healthy advances

Chemical additive demand will be led by water reducers, particularly superplasticizers used in self-compacting concrete (SCC) and other high-performance applications. Air entrainers and other products will also benefit from increased use of SCC. Use of mineral additives in concrete formulations is increasing due to efforts to lessen overall cement consumption and to take advantage of performance attributes offered by industrial waste products such as fly ash and blast furnace slag, including in areas that are not significant users of blended cement. The fiber segment is expected to register solid growth based on rebounding demand in several key markets and increasing use of fiber additives in markets where use had been less common, including countries in Western Europe. In addition, growing use of blends of synthetic and steel fibers will boost value gains.

Building applications to lead growth

Global building construction activity is expected to accelerate substantially following a weak period, particularly in the world's most developed regions. This will boost demand for additives in concrete for buildings, especially in larger buildings and other structures requiring high performance concrete. Advances in the highways and streets market will be strongest in developing areas such as theAfrica/Mideast region and China, where roads and other infrastructure expansion is occurring most rapidly, leading to greater use of cement and, in turn, cement and concrete additives. Robust gains in public infrastructure, especially in developing regions, will create opportunities for growth due to the greater use of better-performing concrete applications for dams, airports and other major projects. Such projects often require larger volumes of additives for greater durability, workability, strength and resistance to salts, chemicals and weather.