Fly Ash Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By End-Use, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies, And Segment Forecasts, 2019 To 2025

The global fly ash market is projected to register a fast-paced growth over the forecast period. Fly ash is a fine powder material obtained as a by-product of burning coal in power plants. The product consists of siliceous and aluminous material that forms cement-like properties when mixed with water and lime. Cement and concrete manufacturers are using fly ash material to replace the Portland cement in concrete manufacturing. The fly ash-based concrete shows distinct properties, such as high strength, more durability, and less permeability. Similarly, bricks and tiles manufacturers are also using the product to eliminate the use of clay. For instance, CalStar Products Inc. uses the product to manufacture bricks and pavers.

Also, the use of fly ash in bricks and tiles results in 90% less carbon dioxide emission. Thus, the increasing popularity of the product as carbon dioxide-efficient material is likely to have a positive impact on the fly ash market growth over the coming years. Moreover, the global shift toward greener cement is expected to accelerate market growth. Many companies in the industry are devising innovative methods to replace Portland cement. For instance, Calera Corporation has developed a new technology to convert power plant carbon dioxide emission into stable mineral carbonate, which can be utilized to manufacture cement.

The product is gaining prominence in the construction industry due to its significant economic benefits. Also, it is widely recognized by the regulatory bodies as a sustainable alternative to traditional cement or concrete. For instance, in 2015, the European Union-backed the project GREEN CAST, revealing that fly ash is an excellent building material as it exhibits tremendous insulation properties. Similarly, in February 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a study affirming the usage of fly ash in the production of concrete and FGD gypsum. Thus, growing recognition of fly ash is expected to drive the market further over the forecast period.

However, the coal-based power has been under constant scrutiny due to its environmental impacts and in recent times has witnessed new policies for the management and safe disposal of fly ash. Large amounts of the product generated by the coal power plants can be efficiently used for various applications including supplementary material for cement production, mine filling, production of bricks and tiles, and others. Governments around the world are taking various measures for the efficient management of fly ash. For instance, in February 2018, the government of India launched a fly-ash mobile app and a web-based monitoring system.

The platform is built for the efficient management of the product and to act as an interface between potential customers, such as road contractors and cement manufacturers and producers (thermal power plants). Thus, increasing support from the government and raising awareness about the product for construction applications is expected to augment the fly ash market growth over the years to come. Asia Pacific region is expected to observe the maximum growth, in terms of product demand, in the coming years. Followed by Indonesia, China and India are major producers of fly ash in the region.

Growing product popularity in the regional construction sector is expected to be one of the key drivers for market growth. The construction sector in APAC is poised to grow strongly due to upcoming projects, such as One Belt One Road (OBOR) project, Navi Mumbai international airport, Delhi-Mumbai trade corridor, and Jakarta mass rapid transit. The combined value of mega projects in the South East Asia region is around USD 2 trillion. This is expected to spur the market growth in the region over the estimated period. Companies are focusing on M&A activities to access regional markets.

At the same time, they are investing in R&D for technological advancements. Some of the key companies in the global fly ash market include SCB International Materials, Inc.; Boral Ltd.; Lafarge S.A.; and Titan America LLC.