Membrane Structure Market

Market Overview

The membrane structure market was valued at USD 7,356 million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 11,431 million by 2029, with a CAGR of 5.3%.

The membrane structure is a spatial structure that is made from tensioned membranes. It is lightweight and can readily be adapted in a variety of applications such as long-span roofs, canopies, facade enclosures, and interior finishes. It uses high strength flexible membrane material and auxiliary structure to produce certain pre-tensioning stress in its interior, and thus forms a certain spatial shape under stress control. This structure has enough stiffness to resist external loads.

Membrane materials have certain transmittance, which helps to reduce lightning intensity during the day and saves energy. Additionally, membrane materials have flame retardancy and high-temperature resistance, which can meet the fire protection requirements.

Market Dynamics

Increasing Investments in Infrastructure Development to Propel the Market Growth

The number of constructional, renovation and refurbishing activities are increasing across the globe. Apart from this, governments of various countries are investing significantly in developing prime and essential infrastructures, such as airports, stadiums, parking lots, and other facilities. For instance, the U.S. had about 19,655 of airports in 2017.

Figure 1: Global Air Traffic Passenger Share (%, 2017)

Figure 2: Indian Spending on Infrastructure Development during 11^th and 12^th Five-Year Plan (USD Billion)

Membrane structure gives a fascinating appearance as well as offers several functional properties such as corrosion water and fire resistance that helps construct the state-of-the-art structures and survive for a longer period. Modern-day construction demands innovative technologies involving the use of energy-efficient resources.

Tensile membrane structures of fabric facilitate several benefits, such as high inherent strength, extended service life, excellent translucency, acoustical properties, resistance to environmental attacks, and others. Additionally, an enormous range of spanning capabilities of fabrics further adds to the performance of the material. Being pliable, it has a higher potential for folding that can conveniently change its function at different times of the day or seasons of the year, further driving the popularity of tensile structure.

Rising Popularity of Structural Membrane in Commercial and Recreational Sector 

From the past few years, the market has been witnessing a significant rise in the use of a structural membrane in tensile architecture, awnings, canopies, and facades. It is also increasingly used by several commercial and recreational sectors for different purposes. For instance, North America is home to some of the largest stadiums in the world. Its top five biggest stadiums can accommodate over 100,000 people. As compared to other materials, such as wood, metals, glass, and concrete, the tensile membrane structure offers a unique visual appearance and high energy-efficiency. It further assists architects, designers, and engineers in attempting and discovering new solutions.

Flexible design, better durability, lightweight, low maintenance, cost benefits, and code compliance make membrane structure an ideal and sustainable building material. As these are movable, foldable, and modular structures, they play an integral role in various military projects, including base camp and living facility, MWR facilities, forward operating bases, and other government’s public infrastructure. Film and television, corporate, commercial and social events, hotels, resorts, clubs, and entertainment industries are heavily adopting structural fabric for building sets and organizing events, among others.

Stringent Government Regulations for Manufacturing PVC/PTFE/and ETFE to Restrain Market Growth

The manufacturing of chlorinated plastic, including polyvinyl chloride, requires extreme toxic chemicals during the production and disposable process. The chlorine content of PVC has a high potential to produce dioxins that possess a threat to humans. Similarly, phthalates and semi-volatile organic compounds added as softeners or plasticizers can have harmful effects on the reproductive, respiratory, and endocrine systems. As per the EU Regulation 1907/2006, any material or substance that possesses a threat to human health or the environment may limit or ban the manufacturing of the substance. PTFE and ETFE are prime components used in the manufacturing of fluoropolymer, which hampers the market growth.  

Segmental Analysis

Commercial Segment to Have the Fastest Growth in the Membrane Structure Market

By application, the membrane structure market is studied across residential and commercial sectors. The commercial segment is projected to have the fastest growth in the membrane structure market owing to its plethora of applications in industrial, recreational and sports facilities, office space, infrastructure, and others. Membrane structures are used in malls, airports, and office buildings as a cost-effective alternative to facilitate additional constructions such as building facades, parking spaces, and entrances.

Growing number of commercial buildings, such as malls, airports, and office spaces, spur the demand for membrane structure. Adoption of a capitalist approach, rising middle-class population, and growing internet penetration have ushered the era of global trading and international business collaborations. Multinationals companies are now building headquarters to facilitate R&D and other operations in emerging economies, such as Turkey and Singapore, among others, resulting in the expansion of airports. For instance, passenger traffic grew by around 5.2% in 2017, as per Airports Council International.

Figure 3: International Passenger Traffic & Domestic Traffic Projections, 2018 & 2040 (Million)

As per the estimations in the Annual World Airport Traffic Forecast 2019–2040, the international passenger traffic in 2018 was 3,600 million and is expected to reach 8,900 million by the year 2040. To accommodate the rising number of passengers, there is a surge in the investment in airport building activities across the globe, further driving the demand for membrane structures.  Additionally, factors such as high disposable income and a rise in availing credit facilities have increased the global expenditure, which increased to USD 59.29 trillion in 2017 from USD 56.26 trillion in 2016.   

Regional Analysis

Rapid Economic Improvement and Rising Commercial Construction Activities Drives Asia-Pacific’s Membrane Structure Market

Asia-Pacific dominates the membrane structure market on account of improving infrastructures in education and transportation, combined with economic improvement and rising foreign investments.  India has the largest population, which has led to significant foreign direct investment of USD 2200 million in the education sector during 2000–2018, further driving the demand for membrane structure.

The aviation industry generates about USD 700 billion and is responsible for 34 million jobs in Asia-Pacific, which is expected to double in the next 20 years, IATA (International Air Transport Association). Additionally, Asia-Pacific has been one of the leading economies to provide efficient rail transport and has one of the largest metro networks worldwide. Thus, rapid developments and advances in education and transportation sectors have surged the use of membrane structures in the region.

Membrane Structure Market Segmentation

By Type

• Tensile Membrane Structure
• Frame Membrane Structure
• Air-Supported Membrane Structure

By Material

• PVC
• Polytetrafluoroethylene
• Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene
• Translucent
• Polyethylene Fabric

By Application

• Residential
• Commercial

By Region

• North America

  • The U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico

• Europe

  • Germany
  • France
  • Russia
  • The U.K.
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • The Rest of Europe

• Asia-Pacific

  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • Singapore
  • Australia
  • The Rest of APAC

• Central and South America and the Caribbean

  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Columbia
  • The Rest of CSAC

• The Middle East

  • Oman
  • The UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Bahrain
  • Qatar
  • The Rest of ME

• Africa

  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • Ghana
  • The Rest of Africa