Erosion and Sediment Control Market

Market Overview

The global erosion and sediment control market size was valued at USD 2,562.20 million in 2023. It is estimated to reach USD 5,247.57 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 8.14% during the forecast period (2024–2032).

Erosion and sediment control are techniques and practices used to protect water resources from sediment pollution and increased runoff associated with active land development and redevelopment activities. It is a process used to prevent the release of sediment from construction sites. The techniques may include installed structural measures, like sediment control ponds and erosion control blankets, or improved design practices, like phased land stripping and riparian zone preservation. Water resources are protected using erosion and sediment control techniques and procedures for industrial, agricultural, and residential uses. In order to stabilize slopes and areas that are vulnerable to soil erosion, erosion and sediment control procedures combine an offensive and defensive strategy.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Changing Environmental Conditions Surging Highly Controlled Products and Services

Change in environmental conditions and climate results in events like an increase in the frequency and intensity of rains and a rise in erosion and washing of sediments into water bodies. Stronger storms, higher river levels, and faster stream velocity can increase erosion, increase suspended sediment (turbidity) in water bodies, and affect the normal distribution of sediment along rivers, lakes, and stream beds. These climate impacts can challenge efforts to maintain water quality through effective erosion and sediment control management efforts. In addition, excessive levels of suspended stream sediment (turbidity) or a change in sediment distribution resulting from more frequent and intense storms can negatively impact ecosystem health. The impacts from changing levels of erosion and sedimentation also affect aquatic creatures.

Furthermore, increased sediments in rivers, lakes, and streams affect the water quality and availability of drinking sources. Thus, the changing environmental condition necessitated highly controlled products and services. Local government bodies, farmers, and construction vendors have increased their usage of control products and services to protect them from the adverse effects of erosion and sediments. All these factors drive the global demand for erosion and sediment control products.

Demand for Erosion and Sediment Control due to Runoffs

Erosion and sediment runoff significantly impact construction and water management systems. Runoff contributes to dust formation, sedimentation of wetlands, turbidity in dams, rivers, and ponds, and sedimentation of rivers and seas. It also contributes to the deposition of coarse sediment in waterways and the lining of stormwater drainage pipes. The concentration of nutrients and metals in these water bodies increases due to erosion and sediment runoff, which also increases the risk of flooding, causes bank erosion and channel instability and raises the maintenance costs for stormwater and water management. Therefore, erosion and sediment reduction are essential for stormwater and water management when runoff occurs more frequently.

Additionally, the usage of erosion and sediment control products has expanded globally due to increased government initiatives, farmer investments to protect crops from runoffs, and ongoing product development. Rainwater runoff and stormwater runoff significantly damage property. Therefore, due to the adverse effects of erosion and sediment flow, demand for erosion and sediment management products has increased internationally.

Market Restraint

Government Regulations on Erosion and Sediment Control Products and Services

Government bodies play an essential role in erosion and sediment control as it affects the water bodies. Many municipalities and local bodies have sediment and erosion control plans and have imposed several regulations on the products used to control erosion and sediment runoffs. Government bodies have set erosion and sediment control plans required under ordinances enacted to protect water resources. These include a program for contractors or developers to reduce soil erosion and treat runoff carrying eroded sediments.

Manufacturers providing erosion and sediment control products and services abide by the ordinances of local government bodies. Furthermore, manufacturers focus on delivering the highest erosion control standards and eco-friendly construction practices. Erosion and sediment control products must meet minimum performance standards to be approved by government bodies. To abide by the policies and regulations, manufacturers must invest significant capital and develop high-quality environmentally-friendly products, thereby restraining market growth.

Market Opportunities

Increasing Government Sanctions toward Water Management

For economic development, food security, public health, and international trade to occur, it is essential that water is available and managed. Increasing population growth, rapid urbanization, and industrial and economic growth make water challenges more urgent than ever. The strategic investments in water management could exceed billions of dollars annually. Water resources provide various benefits, from the economic value derived from productive uses for drinking water supply, industry, and irrigation, to the ecological value for biodiversity to the option value of storing groundwater against future water shortages.

Various public and private sectors invest heavily in water infrastructure. For instance, in 2020, the Western Australian Government allocated USD 968 million for new regional water infrastructure projects over the next four years. In 2020, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a USD 265 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to DeKalb County, Georgia. Similarly, there are numerous investments in water infrastructure across the globe to improve water facilities and sanitation. Thus, government investments in water management will likely create immense opportunities for the sediment and erosion control market in the long term.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global erosion and sediment control market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant shareholder in the global erosion and sediment control market and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period. The high growth of the region is attributed to the fast-paced industrialization and urbanization in the emerging economies of India, Thailand, South Korea, and Indonesia. Rapid industrialization and urbanization result in increased construction activities, causing soil erosion and sedimentation, which drives the demand for erosion and sediment control measures. In addition, the region's expanding agricultural areas and practices mainly highlight the significance of erosion and sediment control techniques. The general growth of the erosion and sediment management business in the Asia-Pacific area is also fueled by the rising awareness that non-governmental groups are generating throughout the region.

Furthermore, Asia has witnessed a spike in government investments, as around 300 million people do not have access to water, and 1.5 billion lack basic sanitation. South Asian countries like Thailand and Singapore have invested jointly in a private-public partnership to expand their regional water infrastructures. Furthermore, the Indian government has invested around USD 22 million in Jala Jeevan Mission Project in Kerala. Also, the government has approved funds for developing the Loktak Inland Waterways project in Manipur.

North America is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.64% over the forecast period. Due to the widespread use of cutting-edge technology and the presence of significant competitors in this area, such as Triton Environmental (US), and SSR Companies (US), ACF Environmental (US) in the market is projected to have plenty of room for expansion. Growing construction activity in the US and the advent of novel soil erosion-reduction technology may present profitable growth prospects for market participants in this sector. In addition, the US government's positive measures and investments to stop soil erosion promote market expansion. For instance, in 2020, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a USD 265 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to DeKalb County, Georgia.

Segmental Analysis

The global erosion and sediment control market is segmented into product type and end-user.

Based on product type, the global erosion and sediment control market is divided into mats, turfs, and blankets, filter socks, logs, and wattles, woven sediment fences and silt fences, filtration systems, sediment basins, and others.

The mats, turfs, and blankets segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.85% during the forecast period. Mats, turfs, and blankets provide and promote stabilization and control erosion. Mats and blankets are designed to provide erosion control and assist in establishing vegetation. They protect bare soils, mostly on slopes, from rain impacts. These products are primarily used in developing countries as they are cost-effective, easy to install, and provide immediate protection. On the other hand, turfs give permanent soil fortification in addition to reducing soil erosion and promoting vegetation growth. They are typically used where water flows are strong, soil conditions are poor, and vegetation is difficult to establish. Turfs are used across moderate-flow stormwater channels, banks, and steep slopes where immediate and long-term erosion control is required. Turfs trap seed, soil, and water, which helps with faster yield.

Filter socks are filled with compost or other materials and are typically available in pre-filled sections that ship on pallets. They are used in various landscaping applications for erosion and sediment control, especially in construction sites. The filter socks are mainly used for sediment control, stormwater management, stabilizing and preventing channel beds' erosion, inclined land masses like river or pond banks, and within living retaining walls. Compost filter socks are one of the most common for this purpose. In addition, logs are organic, strong, long-lasting, and flexible and are made from coconut fibers, wood excelsior fibers, and others. The most common logs are coir logs and excelsior logs. These logs are primarily installed in streambanks and slope vegetation to provide stabilization. On the other hand, wattles prevent sediments from moving into water bodies or waterways, which helps reduce the rate of soil erosion, control sediment on-site, reduce stormwater runoff velocity, and promote water quality. One of the most used wattles is the straw-wattles, filled with straw in tubular form and held together by biodegradable burlap netting or photodegradable plastic.

Based on end-user, the global erosion and sediment control market is divided into highway and road construction, energy and mining, government and municipality, landfill construction and maintenance, infrastructure development, industrial manufacturing, and others.

The highway and road construction segment owns the highest market share and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.07% over the forecast period. Road construction has increased significantly worldwide in the last decades to meet the demands of the increasing human population leading to severe soil erosion problems. In addition, road building alters the profile of hill slopes, removes vegetation, and creates steep slopes vulnerable to severe erosion. Rapid global urbanization results in infrastructure development, which is expected to drive the demand for sediment and erosion control.

Surface mining activities disturb large tracts of land and significantly increase downstream sediment loads. Sediment production from surface-mined areas can be 100 to 2,000 times that from a forested area and more than ten times that from grazing lands. These high sediment loads are not only a significant source of water pollution, but they can also reduce an area's potential for agriculture, reduce the storage capacity of downstream reservoirs, increase flooding due to decreased river channel capacities, alter the geomorphology of streams, and increase turbidity, which affects all riverine life forms. There are various types of surface mining, such as open-pit mining, quarrying, strip mining, and mountaintop removal. Landfill mining involves sites where landfills are excavated and processed.

Further, mining can create some environmental challenges, including mining erosion, sinkholes, soil contamination, and surface water contamination by chemicals from mining processes. Methods such as selective grading and shaping, mulches, diversion ditch, road dip, sediment basins, sediment traps, vegetative filters, and filter fabrics are used as drainage, erosion, and sediment control measures for energy and mining activities.

Recent Developments

• November 2022- Steve Hale of Triton Environmental collaborated with Gunnison County to decrease the road's base course in Gunnison, Colorado. Utilizing Tensars NX850, this project helped reduce the entire project cost.
• July 2022- Coastal GasLink Pipeline Ltd. (CGL) and Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) signed a compliance agreement mandating CGL to install more stringent erosion and sedimentation control measures for all new development along the CGL pipeline route.