Geopolymer Market - Forecast(2023 - 2028)

Geopolymer Market Overview

Geopolymer market size is forecast to reach US$14.1 billion by 2027 after growing at a CAGR of 25.1% during the forecast period 2022-2027. Geopolymers are formed through polymerization between aluminosilicates such as fly ash, metakaolin, mining wastes, etc., and alkali reagents including sodium hydroxide. Geopolymers are emerging as alternative construction materials. The need to find a suitable yet eco-friendly alternative to portland cement led to the development of geopolymers. Geopolymers exhibit good compressive strength, low permeability and are resistant to high temperatures. Another advantage is that they make use of industrial waste products such as fly ash from coal power plants and slag. The increasing focus on infrastructure and repair is driving the growth of the geopolymer market during the forecast period.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted every industry. The construction industry was also not spared. The construction industry has seen many ups and downs throughout the pandemic. Construction came to a complete standstill in many countries due to lockdown measures and stay-at-home mandates. On the other hand, as cases were rising, hospitals were running out of beds which led to record constructions of hospitals in China and Italy. After the initial lockdown when economic activities were allowed, the construction industry still faced challenges in the form of supply chain disruptions and operational constraints leading to project delays and cancellations. Some building-materials supply chains have also been interrupted, suspending production and distribution. According to a survey by the Committee for European Construction Equipment, it was found that disruptions in the supply chain and general manufacturing shutdowns were identified as the main challenges of the European construction industry by over 1/3 of the respondents. These challenges faced by the construction industry have also affected the geopolymer market.

Geopolymer Market Report Coverage

The report: “Geopolymer Market – Forecast (2022-2027)”, by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the geopolymer industry.

By Product Type: Cement, Concrete, and Precast Panel (Slag-based Geopolymer, Rock-based Geopolymer, Fly ash-based Geopolymer- Alkali-activated fly ash Geopolymer and Slag/fly ash-based Geopolymer cement, and Ferro-Sialate-based Geopolymer) and Others

By Application:  Fire Resistant Coatings & Adhesives, Construction Binders, High Temperature Ceramics, Fiber Composites, Waste Encapsulation, and Others

By End-Use Industry: Building and Construction (Residential- Private Dwellings, Row Houses and Apartments; Commercial- Educational Institutes, Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes, Sport Stadiums, Shopping Malls & Supermarkets, Office Buildings, Airports, Hospitals, Clinics and Healthcare Institutes and Others; Infrastructure- Roadways, Bridges, Tunnels, Pavements and Others) Industrial (Warehouses/Distribution, Manufacturing, Refrigeration/Cold Storage and Others), and Others

By Geography: North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Belgium, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Rest of APAC), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Rest of South America), Rest of the World (Middle East, and Africa)

Key Takeaways

• Asia-Pacific dominates the geopolymer market, owing to construction and infrastructure projects in the region. According to Invest India, the construction industry in India is expected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2025.
• Geopolymers are prepared by polymerization of aluminosilicates with an alkali reagent.  Aluminosilicate sources include metakaolin, fly ash, slag, and other industrial wastes.
• The main benefit of using geopolymers over portland cement is the reduction in carbon dioxide emission and results in the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 40-80%
• The major opportunity for this market is to explore various applications of geopolymers and to increase awareness about it.
  

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Geopolymer Market Segment Analysis – By Product Type

The cement, concrete, and precast segment held a significant share of more than 80% in the geopolymer market in 2021. Geopolymer cement is an eco-friendly alternative to Portland cement. Production of geopolymer cement requires an aluminosilicate source like metakaolin or fly ash and an alkaline reagent usually sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. Conventional cement or portland cement is a serious atmospheric pollutant. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the cement sector is the third-largest industrial source of pollution, emitting more than 500,000 tons per year of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide. Cement has a massive carbon footprint. Cement is the source of about 8% of the world's CO2 emissions, according to think tank Chatham House. The process of making clinker, the key constituent of cement, emits the largest amount of CO2 in cement making. Waste materials containing aluminosilicates such as fly ash, granulated blast furnace slag, rice husk ash, clay, etc. when treated with alkali solutions give geopolymer cement. This cement when cured at a temperature develops high strength. Geopolymer cement generates much less CO2 in the range of 40-80%. Hence, it is viewed as an alternative to traditional cement and concrete.

Geopolymer Market Segment Analysis – By End Use Industry

The building and construction segment held the largest share up to 40% in the geopolymer market in 2021. According to estimates by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the International Energy Agency (IEA), carbon dioxide emissions from the construction sector represent nearly 40% of global energy and process-related emission. To achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement it is of paramount importance to reduce the CO2 emissions. This is the main driver behind finding suitable alternatives to cement and concrete. According to the Royal Society of Chemistry, concrete is among the world's most consumed materials after water. On account of its carbon footprint, there is a need to find a suitable replacement for concrete without compromising on its properties. Geopolymers fit the bill and are better than traditional concrete in certain aspects such as they do not require water for curing. Geopolymer concrete has been used for the construction of pavements, retaining walls, roads, water tanks, precast bridge decks, etc. For instance, in June 2020, in the Indian state of Odisha, a green concrete road was constructed using fly ash-based geopolymer, sodium hydrochloride, sodium silicate, chips, and sand. As geopolymers are widely used in the construction sector, this sector is forecasted to dominate the geopolymer market.

Geopolymer Market Segment Analysis – By Geography

The Asia-Pacific region held the largest share in the geopolymer market in 2021 up to 38%, owing to the construction and infrastructural projects in the region. Driven by the rapid urbanization and industrialization in India and China, the construction industry is growing leaps and bounds in the region. China is the largest construction market in the world. China recently launched the New Infrastructure plan to offset the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and boost sustainable growth. New Infrastructure projects will focus on the construction of 5G networks, industrial internet, inter-city transportation and inner-city rail systems, data centers, artificial intelligence, ultra-high voltage, and new energy vehicle charging stations. China has pledged fresh efforts in advancing the construction of new infrastructure projects in a bid to further stimulate new consumption demand and boost industrial upgrading by issuing $US 529 billion of special local government bonds. In India, the construction industry has been experiencing a boom. Government programs such as Smart Cities, Housing for All, Atal Mission for Urban Rejuvenation and Transformation (AMRUT) are expected to drive the growth further. In the Union Budget 2021, the government allocated US$ 32.02 billion to enhance the transport infrastructure. The government expanded the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) to 7,400 projects. About 200 projects worth US$ 15.09 billion were completed as of 2020. Through the NIP, the government invested US$ 1.4 trillion in infrastructure development as of July 2021. Based on all these factors the Asia Pacific region is expected to dominate the geopolymer market during the forecast period.

Geopolymer Market Drivers

Growing Focus on Green Buildings

In the construction industry, the latest trend is green buildings. A green building is a building that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on the climate and natural environment. For the construction of a green building, materials that are non-toxic, ethical, and sustainable are used. Geopolymer concrete is an eco-friendly product that uses industrial waste by-products such as fly ash (waste from thermal power plants) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (waste from iron production). As a result of this geopolymer concrete reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 80%. Geopolymer is gaining importance in green buildings as it ensures sustainability. According to a global green building survey, the US currently holds the number one position overall, with a total of 124,212 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) projects. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership and provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, cost-saving green buildings. The Singaporean Government has launched its initiatives for the promotion of green buildings since 2005. The country has pledged that at least 80% of the country’s buildings will be green structures by 2030. Governments around the world are also promoting green buildings. A prime example of this is the European Commission’s Green Building Programme. Increasing urbanization, as well as national priorities on stability and sustainability, have helped China expand its commitments to conserve resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through green construction. This growing focus on green buildings drives the growth of geopolymers and thus the geopolymer industry.

Increasing Focus on Infrastructure and Repair

Along with the construction of new infrastructure, there is also a need for maintenance and repair of existing infrastructure. Infrastructure needs to be maintained as it can degrade over time. In November 2021, US President Biden signed into the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. This $1.2 trillion plan will revitalize America's deteriorating infrastructure system. The funding will be used for a host of valuable projects over the next five years, including everything from new rail systems to bridges. Some 20%, or 173,000 miles, of the nation's highways and major roads, are in poor condition, as are 45,000 bridges, according to the White House.  Maintenance of roads should be given top priority as it increases the life span of roads. In 2020-21 the Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highways allocated Rs 2,618 crore towards the maintenance of roads and highways (including toll bridges). The United Kingdom’s ambitious public transit initiative, called High Speed 2 or HS2 is an innovative high-speed rail system and the first leg of the railway is already under construction, connecting London and Birmingham. The Ruler of Dubai announced Dh1.9 billion in UAE infrastructure projects in July 2021. The increasing focus on infrastructure projects around the world acts as a driver for the geopolymer industry.

Geopolymer Market Challenges

Lack of Awareness

Geopolymers offer a wide range of advantages such as structural performance, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and acid and fire resistance. However, despite these advantages, widespread commercial use of geopolymer concrete in the construction industry has been quite less in comparison to portland cement. The main reason behind this is the lack of awareness regarding geopolymers. Several studies have shown that geopolymer can be utilized as a repair material for infrastructure. Despite these studies, the utilization of geopolymer concrete in highway infrastructure is still limited. Australia has led the way in CO2 emission-free geopolymer concrete. As the Australian think tank Beyond Zero Emissions reports, pavements and roads across Victoria, including sections of the Westgate Freeway, have been built with geopolymer concrete. Unlike portland cement, it is processed at room temperature and produces long molecules that link together to give the concrete its strength. Consumers need to be made aware of the benefits of geopolymers in order to overcome this challenge that could hinder the growth of the geopolymer market.

Geopolymer Industry Outlook

Product launches, acquisitions, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the geopolymer market. Geopolymer market top 10 companies include:

1. CEMEX
2. Wagners
3. Geopolymer Solutions LLC
4. Schlumberger Limited
5. Milliken Company Inc
6. ClockSpring
7. Banah UK Ltd
8. Imerys Group
9. Corning Inc.
10. Ceskych Lupkovych Zavodech A

Recent Developments

• In July 2020, CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. announced the launch of the Vertua low carbon concrete range of products. Vertua uses a geopolymer binder solution created by Cemex’s Research and Development Center in Switzerland. This solution has a reduced carbon footprint of up to 70%

Relevant Reports

Concrete Containing Polymers Market- Forecast (2021 - 2026)
Report Code: CMR 78059

Polymers Market in India- Forecast (2022-2027)
Report Code: CMR 0151

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