Abstract
Road, highway construction to spur demand through 2012
Demand for geosynthetics is projected to advance 2.5 percent annually to 905
million square yards in 2012. Gains will be promoted by increased road and
highway construction spending as federal, state and local transportation
agencies rebuild and rehabilitate the nation' s transportation infrastructure.
Geosynthetics can be used to improve the lifespan of roads and other
structures by stabilizing foundations, promoting drainage and preventing
erosion, generally at a lower cost than alternative products. As many
construction projects are subjected to competitive bidding processes, use of
geosynthetics will be specified instead of more expensive materials. Further
gains in demand for geosynthetics will be promoted by continued nonresidential
construction spending and an acceleration in residential building construction
expenditures.
Market value to rise 4.2% In value terms, demand for geosynthetics
is forecast to advance 4.2 percent per year to $2.1 billion in 2012. Advances
will be spurred by demand for highperformance geosynthetics such as
geomembranes, geogrids and preformed geocomposites. These geosynthetics offer
improved performance properties than less costly geosynthetics and can provide
better long-term value.
Geomembranes to continue claiming most market share
In 2007, geotextiles accounted for 71 percent of demand in area terms because
of their low cost and their drainage and structural support properties. In
value terms, however, geomembranes accounted for the largest share of the
market, comprising 47 percent, as geomembranes are significantly more
expensive in unit terms than other geosynthetics. Geomembranes will continue
to hold the leading share of demand in value terms in 2012, although demand
gains will be restrained by moderating petroleum prices.
Construction to remain largest market in area
Through 2012, the construction market will continue to be the leading market
for geosynthetics, in area terms, primarily due to the application of
geotextiles to provide support, drainage and erosion control in construction
projects. The transportation market will offer the strongest growth rate for
geosynthetics through 2012, as geosynthetics will be used to make roads more
durable, to improve drainage and to construct structures that prevent erosion.
Transportation market to grow fastest in value
In value terms, the landfill market accounted for the largest share of
geosynthetics demand in 2007, due to the frequent use of high-cost
geomembranes in landfills to seal off leachate pits and waste containment
areas. Through 2012, however, demand gains in value terms will advance at a
below-average pace. Increased interest in recycling and reducing wastes, as
well as the durable nature of geosynthetics used in the landfill market, will
restrain advances. Other markets may provide some niche opportunities,
especially agriculture and mining, due to interest in increasing crop yields
to make biofuels and an expansion in the US mining industry.
Study coverage
Geosynthetics, a new Freedonia industry study presents historical demand data
(1997, 2002 and 2007) plus forecasts for 2012 and 2017 by geosynthetic
product, market and US geographic region. In addition, the study also assesses
market environment factors, examines industry structure, evaluates company
market share and profiles 41 US industry competitors.
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