Ultra High Performance Concrete Market Analysis By Product (Slurry-infiltrated Fibrous Concrete, Reactive Powder Concrete, Compact Reinforced composite), By Application, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Industry Insights

The global ultra-high performance concrete market size was valued at USD 892.0 million in 2016. Inherent advantages and the global growth of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) in the construction industry are expected to benefit the market over the forecast period.

Ultra-high performance concrete is an advanced cementitious material, which is expected to have the potential to be a viable solution for improving the sustainability of architecture. The product, when used for construction applications, enables the elimination of reinforcing steel. 

U.S. UHPC market revenue by product, 2014 - 2025 (USD Million)

Excellent durability of UHPC results in an increase in the longevity of structures and a reduction in the overall maintenance costs. It possesses ceramic properties such as impermeability to water, heat resistant, and surface behaviors making it ideal for usage in high strength applications. Such factors are expected to propel the market growth over the forecast period.

The U.S. market was valued at USD 356.1 million in 2016. Factors, such as awareness regarding the advantages of UHPC combined with high standards of safety, are expected to benefit the U.S. market demand. The material is used in a wide variety of infrastructural applications including highways, roads, and bridges as UHPC provides enhanced durability properties, thus resulting in extended life of the structure. 

Ultra-high performance concrete provides opportunities in repairing work as well. It is widely used for developing solutions for fixing and replacement of roads, bridges, and other constructions. Ongoing research and development activities have been successful in demonstrating the advantages of the material in repair and rehabilitation applications, thus paving the way for the application.

Novel product development such as multiscale UHPC with pyrogenic particles is expected to benefit the market growth. Multiscale product types having superior filling effects from millimeter to nanometer have been developed by research institutes. In addition, methods such as microwave curing are currently under study. The studies are aimed at developing curing methods to provide high strength in relatively shorter duration. Such trends are expected to benefit the overall market growth.

Product Insights

In terms of product type, slurry infiltrated fiber concrete (SIFCON) segment dominated the overall market in 2016 and the trend is expected to continue over the forecast period. Owing to the ductile behavior of SIFCON type, it is used for refractory applications, pavement overlays, and structures subjected to dynamic loading and blast. 

Slurry-infiltrated fibrous concrete (SIFCON) is a special type of concrete having a high-fiber content. It is different from the normal fiber reinforced concrete in a way that it has higher fiber content and the production methods are different. The slurry-based matrix of SIFCON enables the fine particles to infiltrate the fiber network thus increasing its strength. It is suitable for use in applications, demanding high resistance to impact and high ductility.

Reactive powder concrete (RPC) is expected to witness the highest growth rate over the forecast period. The material holds wide potential and is a durable, strong, and environmentally- friendly alternative to current products. The material possesses lower permeability, which enables its usage in high strength applications. The compressive stress-strain curve of the material displays linear elastic behavior. These factors together are expected to propel the segment growth over the next eight years.

Compact reinforced composite (CRC) is a special type of ultra-high performance concrete, which utilizes the incorporation of strong fibers that are short and stiff to achieve ductility. CRC type provides designers and builders a cost-effective solution and greater freedom to design. Such trends are expected to benefit the segment growth over the forecast period.

Application Insight

Roads & bridges construction emerged as the largest application segment in 2016 and is expected to continue dominance over the forecast period. The global share of the segment was over 42% in 2016.

UHPC contains a high amount of plasticizers and micro steel fibers, which make it ideal for use in high-strength applications such as road & bridges construction. In addition, UHPC enables the construction of slender and light structural components of bridges without hampering the load-bearing capacity of the structure. It provides increased strength with a lower mass to strength ratio, thus resulting in economic saving. Such trends have increased the usage of UHPC in road & bridge construction in the recent past and the trend is expected to continue over the next eight years.

Global UHPC market size by application, 2016 (%) 

UHPC provides cost savings as they possess optical particle gradation producing a highly tight mix. Structures that are made by using normal concrete are heavy and require higher quantities of raw materials. Such trends coupled with the development of novel product portfolio by companies are expected to cater to a rise in the UHPC demand for construction applications.

The growth in military spending by governments across the globe is expected to favor the military segment growth. The materials possess versatile properties such as high strength, energy capacity, and durability as compared to other conventional concrete products. The properties of UHPC make it ideal for use in military applications, which require optimum performance under conditions such as shock, explosion, and impact loads. These trends, in turn, are expected to fuel the segment growth.  

Regional Insights 

North America emerged as the largest market in 2016. Various organizations and government institutes in the region are arranging workshops and seminars to promote UHPC acceptance among customers. UHPC is widely used in North America for bridge construction. These factors have resulted in market growth in the region. The presence of major industry participants in the region also aids in the market growth.

Asia Pacific is expected to witness a high growth rate over the forecast period. Strong demand from countries such as Japan, China, and South Korea and emerging opportunities in countries such as China are expected to contribute to this scenario. The region is characterized by rising awareness regarding UHPC usage.

Factors such as rapid urbanization, and increased infrastructure spending owing to various government initiatives, and increasing disposable income are some of the major contributors triggering the growth of construction industry in the region. Governments have entered into Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to develop projects such as railway networks, dams, and roads. In addition, concentrated efforts by the governments to provide affordable housing are driving the construction industry. The growth of the construction industry in the region is expected to cater to rising demand in the region.

Competitive Insights

Companies are investing in the research and development activities comprising of technical expertise development, the latest equipment development, and establishing research partners, which in turn help them in developing innovative construction solutions. Such activities are aimed at achieving maximum market share through innovative product development. 

Wide distribution channels and growing competition among players are anticipated to open new avenues over the next eight years. Industry participants include Lafarge; Sika AG; ceEntek Pte Ltd.; Densit; and Gulf Precast Concrete CO. L.L.C.

Report Scope 

Segments covered in the report

This report forecasts revenue growth at a global, regional & country level, and provides an analysis on the industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global ultra-high performance concrete market on the basis of product, application, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025)

  • Slurry-infiltrated Fibrous Concrete (SIFCON)

  • Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC)

  • Compact Reinforced Composite (CRC)

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Roads & Bridge Construction

  • Building Construction

  • Military Construction 

  • Anti-detonating Construction

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 -  2025)

  • North America

    • The U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

  • Central & South America

  • Middle East & Africa