Sprayed Cement Market

Market Overview

The global sprayed cement market share is estimated to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period (2024–2032). The global sprayed cement market is driven by the rapid urbanization process worldwide, which gives rise to ample construction activities and infrastructure projects that use sprayed cement. Moreover, the rapid growth in residential construction owing to the increased standard of living also increases the demand for sprayed cement, creating opportunities for market expansion.

Sprayed cement commonly refers to a construction method called shotcrete or gunite. Shotcrete is a technique that involves the application of concrete or mortar onto surfaces using a high-pressure hose. The procedure entails the application of a blend of cement, sand, and water onto a surface, such as a wall or incline, utilizing compressed air. The procedure is favored when conventional casting or forming techniques are not possible or difficult.

Sprayed cement is extensively utilized in several industries, such as building, mining, tunneling, slope stabilization, swimming pools, and other contexts where there is a need for quick and long-lasting concrete placement. The application of sprayed cement can be done using wet or dry procedures, which is determined by the quantity of water used in the mixture. Sprayed cement provides numerous benefits compared to traditional concrete, including superior durability, minimal contraction, more excellent adhesion, decreased mold need, and heightened fireproofing capabilities.

Market Dynamics

Global Sprayed Cement Market Drivers

Rapid Urbanization

The growing global demand for infrastructure development and urbanization is a significant catalyst for the sprayed cement market. Sprayed cement is a highly suitable substance for constructing bridges, dams, highways, trains, airports, and other constructions that demand exceptional durability and resilience against hard conditions. The use of sprayed cement significantly cuts down on construction time and costs since formwork and scaffolding are not needed. 

Additionally, sprayed cement can be used to repair and restore preexisting structures that have incurred damage due to corrosion, erosion, or natural calamities. The World Bank reports that 56% of the global population, which amounts to 4.4 billion individuals, resides in urban areas. The urban population is projected to increase almost two-fold by 2050, resulting in nearly 70% of the global population living in cities. Hence, the process of urbanization at a rapid pace usually results in a higher requirement for construction operations, stimulating the demand for sprayed cement.

Adoption of Green and Sustainable Construction Practices 

Another factor driving the growth of the sprayed cement market is the increasing use of sustainable and eco-friendly building techniques. Utilizing sprayed cement in construction can effectively mitigate the environmental consequences by employing recycled resources, minimizing waste generation, and decreasing carbon emissions. Cement spray can enhance buildings' energy efficiency and thermal performance by offering insulation and minimizing heat dissipation. Moreover, applying sprayed cement can enhance the visual attractiveness and design adaptability of structures by enabling the formation of diverse shapes and textures.

Furthermore, about 39% of the world's carbon emissions are attributable to the construction industry, according to the World Green Building Council. Structures constructed using sustainable building methods generate fewer pollutants than those constructed using conventional construction techniques. Moreover, in 2021, 47% of construction businesses categorized 60% of their green building projects. This signifies a substantial increase, in contrast to the mere 27% of construction companies that asserted this in 2018. Consequently, the global demand for sprayed cement is increasing because of the growing focus on green construction.

Global Sprayed Cement Market Restraint

Lack of Skilled Labor and Technical Expertise

A significant limitation of the sprayed cement market is the need for a more skilled workforce and technical expertise. The application of sprayed cement necessitates the use of specialized equipment and skilled operators to guarantee the excellence and safety of the process. Substantial costs are associated with using sprayed cement in terms of operations, maintenance, and compliance with regulations.

Moreover, sprayed cement encounters competition from other materials, such as precast concrete, fiber-reinforced concrete, and self-compacting concrete, which have comparable or superior characteristics and performance. Hence, the sprayed cement industry can encounter obstacles to increasing its market share and penetration in the coming years.

Global Sprayed Cement Market Opportunities

Increasing Demand from the Residential Sector

Although sprayed cement is commonly used for large infrastructure projects, it can also be utilized in residential construction. The rising population and expanding disposable income in developing economies have influenced the demand for residential properties. The market for residential buildings has experienced significant and rapid growth due to the need for improved living conditions and the emphasis on investments in developing nations. The global residential building construction market is projected to grow due to its significant potential for developing single-family dwellings and multifamily housing units.

Furthermore, the shift from a supplier-driven to a buyer-driven model emphasizes cost containment, quality enhancement, and business customer satisfaction. Simultaneously, the global residential building construction industry is driven by rising business sector growth, low-loan cost circumstances, expanding discretionary cashflows, rapid urbanization, rising population, and creative advancements. The residential sector contributes around 44% of the total construction growth and is expected to grow at a 7.1% CAGR. Thus, increasing demand from the residential sector is expected to create opportunities for market growth.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global sprayed cement market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

The Asia-Pacific sprayed cement market is propelled by the region's significant demand for urbanization and industrialization. Based on the World Bank Data, East Asia and the Pacific region are seeing the highest pace of urbanization globally, with an average annual urbanization rate of 3 percent. Similarly, according to the United Nations, the urban population in Asia is expected to increase by 50% - an additional 1.2 billion individuals - by the year 2050. Asia-Pacific also emerged as the largest market for the global construction industry in 2021 and is expected to maintain its dominance. The primary markets for sprayed cement in the Asia-Pacific region are China, India, Japan, Australia, and South Korea. These countries have a thriving construction sector and a substantial population that demands housing, transportation, and public facilities.

Furthermore, China's construction industry is projected to experience a 4.21% growth rate until 2021, driven by numerous large-scale infrastructure projects and a pipeline of 2,991 hotel development projects. The National Development and Reform Commission has developed 65 fixed-asset investment projects valued at USD 78.4 billion to reduce the impact of a pandemic on the construction industry. Therefore, as a result of these expenditures in several projects, it is expected that there will be a rise in the demand for sprayed cement in Indonesia can expand by approximately 9% in the upcoming five years due to ongoing residential projects and a total of 378 hotel construction projects in progress. All these factors contribute to the expansion of the regional market.

Europe boasts one of the most substantial and prosperous economies globally, housing highly developed nations such as the UK, France, Italy, and Spain. Europe has grown significantly in standard of life, per capita income, and the adoption of innovation and technology since the Industrial Revolution. Consequently, the construction sector has attracted top-tier industries, increasing the need for sprayed cement throughout the projected timeframe. Moreover, the European sprayed cement market is propelled by the substantial need to renovate and restore historical and cultural structures in the region.

Furthermore, the European sprayed cement industry is fueled by the abundant architectural legacy and extensive collection of monuments, cathedrals, castles, and museums that necessitate restoration and conservation. The European market for sprayed cement is projected to have steady expansion at a CAGR throughout the forecast period. This is due to the region's implementation of strict environmental and safety rules and standards for construction materials and procedures.

Segmental Analysis

The global sprayed cement market is segmented by process and application.

Based on process, the global sprayed cement market is divided into wet and dry processes.

The dry process segment is projected to experience the most rapid expansion in the forecast period, owing to its advantages of reduced water use, increased flexibility, and enhanced control. The salient feature of the dry mix process is that the dry constituents are pre-mixed prior to reaching the nozzle, and water is added only at the final moment before spraying. The pre-mixed dry material is placed into a hopper, which acts as a container for the dry mix and transfers the material into the delivery hose. Compressed air drives the dry mixture to the application nozzle via the delivery hose. Before the application of the mixture, water is put into the nozzle. This guarantees that the dry mixture is adequately dampened and stimulated with water at application. The moistened blend is dispersed over the prepped surface, such as a wall, incline, or other constructions.

Based on application, the global sprayed cement market is segmented into underground construction, water retaining structures, protective coatings, repair works, and others.

The underground construction segment is projected to experience substantial growth due to the extensive utilization of sprayed cement in mining, tunneling, and underground ventures. Sprayed cement offers prompt reinforcement to tunnel walls, effectively stabilizing the adjacent rock or soil. It can be systematically utilized to strengthen and safeguard the dug-out region. Ensuring the exclusion of water is of utmost importance in underground structures.

Sprayed cement is a waterproofing and sealing substance, forming a protective barrier preventing water from infiltrating. The utilization of sprayed cement is comparatively rapid and effective. This is especially advantageous in underground projects where time is frequently crucial. Moreover, sprayed cement can be used on many surfaces, including irregular and curved ones. Its versatility makes it well-suited for various geological conditions encountered in underground construction.

Recent Developments

• November 2023- BASF and Pyrum entered into a fresh collaboration agreement, with funding secured for the construction of a minimum of three additional plants by 2026.
• February 2023- Schwing Stetter India, a prominent manufacturer of construction and concreting equipment in the nation, introduced 14 new products at the Bauma CONEXPO India 2023. The newly introduced products consist of a Shotcrete pump (developed by the Research and Development department) - TSR 30.14 (EV), a Cylinder Finisher - CF450 XXV, and a Belt Conveyor - 40m.