The global SCM (supplementary cementitious materials) market is expected to grow at around 5 percent annually through 2020. A new report from ReportLinker highlights the trends of the market.
The SCM market was valued at $79.2 billion in 2015 and should reach $103.2 billion by 2020 with a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 5.4 percent from 2015 to 2020. The market for fly ash was $70.5 billion in 2015 and should reach over $98 billion by 2020, with a CAGR of 5.5 percent from 2015 to 2020. The market for slag cement was over $4 billion in 2015 and should reach nearly $5 billion by 2020, with a CAGR of 4.1 percent from 2015 to 2020.
Concrete is a primary material for building roads, bridges, dams, highways and other infrastructure. However, concrete has its disadvantages, such as short life span and heat emission, which causes harm to the environment.
The incorporation of supplementary cementitious materials into concrete improves its microstructure and increases resistance to hazards. SCMs are formed as a by-product of other manufacturing processes. Fly ash, silica fume and slag cement are the most commonly used products. SCMs are added to concrete mixtures and other building products to enhance the properties of the base material.
The current trend is to use SCMs according to their inherent chemical properties and to the eventual purpose of the resulting concrete. SCM-reinforced concrete and cement are used primarily in infrastructure, and therefore the SCM market is impacted by the macroeconomic development of a country.
Adding supplementary cementitious materials to concrete lowers its permeability, increases its durability, provides more resistance to sulfates and seawater, and improves chemical stability. Structures constructed from enhanced concrete have a longer life.
Out of the four main world regions - North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific - the latter is the largest market for SCMs. The demand for SCMs in Asia-Pacific, particularly in China and India, is tremendous. The report highlights this growth.
