Global demand for cement and concrete additives to reach US$ 16.2 billion in 2012

Worldwide demand for cement and concrete additives will rise +6.0% per year to US$ 16.2 billion in 2012, according to the latest report by US-based Freedonia Group.

The report, World Cement & Concrete Additives, said the gains represent a "modest deceleration" from the 2002-2007 period, which saw a global construction boom fuel surging demand for cement and associated additives.

Looking ahead, the report said, any advances will be driven by increased penetration of chemical and fibre additives in concrete construction, in both emerging markets in Asia and Eastern Europe as well as the more mature cement industry in North America.

"Demand for chemical and fibre additives will grow the fastest as acceptance of these products and the benefits they provide continues to rise, added the report. In particular, it said, strong growth is expected for high-performance superplasticizing water reducers, which facilitate concrete pouring and enhance the strength of concrete structures," said the report.

Sales of fibre additives, it added, will expand most rapidly in emerging construction markets, particularly in the Asia/Pacific region. Mineral additives will also see solid gains in demand, particularly in high-growth, high-volume cement markets such as China and India.

Among the three major world regions, said the report, the strongest advances are forecast for cement and concrete additives in the Asia/Pacific region, which is home to rapidly growing cement markets such as China and India. Gains in the region will also benefit from a rebound in construction activity in South Korea and Taiwan.

However, more moderate growth in the highly mature Japanese market will limit increases for additives in the region.

Although the cement industry in North America is also quite mature, above-average gains in additive demand will be driven by an increased focus on production of more durable concrete and utilization of mineral waste products. Demand for additives in Western Europe, the second largest regional market in 2007, will post subpar gains through 2012.

The use of both chemical and mineral additives is already widespread in the region, restricting prospects for growth. Additive demand in Eastern Europe, led by Russia, will advance the fastest, fueled by increased utilization of abundant slag and fly ash waste materials and incorporation of EU trends of additive use in concrete construction.

Growth in Latin America and the Africa/Mideast region will be driven by increasing industrialization, infrastructure development and modernization of construction practices.

World Cement & Concrete Additives is available from The Freedonia Group (www.freedoniagroup.com). For further details, please contact Corinne Gangloff at [email protected].