Konson chemical
According to the latest analysis report of IHS Chemical, the global construction chemicals market will reach 11 million tons in 2016, with a market value of up to 34 billion U.S. dollars. China accounted for the highest market share at 34%, followed by Western Europe at 21% and again at North America at 15%. The report predicts that from 2016 to 2021, the global construction chemicals market demand will grow at an average annual rate of 4.3%. By 2021, the global demand for construction chemicals will reach 13.6 million tons. IHS Chemical said that from 2006 to 2016, China’s construction investment will grow rapidly with an average annual growth rate of 11%. From 2016 to 2021, investment in China’s construction industry will slow to an annual average of 4% -5%.
Construction chemicals mainly include concrete admixtures, asphalt additives, adhesives and sealants, special coatings and thermal insulation materials, which are mainly used to improve the performance of construction materials or construction reliability. Major trends affecting construction chemicals include: Globalization; Increased population and rising living standards Correspondingly higher demand for construction, especially in developing economies; More integrated sectors, especially in developed regions such as North America and Western Europe; Increased demand for cement additives, To meet the growing challenge of structural performance.
The need to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is driving the construction industry. According to data from the International Federation of Chemical Associations (ICCA), energy consumption in the construction sector accounts for nearly one third of the world’s energy consumption. Statistics from the United Nations Environment Program show that greenhouse gas emissions in the construction sector account for one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions and that about 1 tonne of carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere for every ton of cement produced. According to the forecast, by 2050, energy use in the construction industry will increase by more than 62%, and carbon dioxide emissions will increase by more than 87%.
IHS Chemicals said chemical usage in the construction industry has grown rapidly in recent years, even in developed regions and countries like North America, Western Europe and Japan. More and more concrete admixtures are used in the production of super-strong concrete to meet the needs of higher buildings. According to the latest statistics, concrete admixtures accounted for the largest share of construction chemicals at 37%, with a market value of US $ 12.5 billion in 2016, followed by adhesives and sealants with a market value of US $ 10.1 billion and market share of 30%.
According to IHS Chemical, the demand for concrete admixtures has increased significantly in the past few decades. In 2016, the total global market demand has reached 6.6 million tons, and the demand in emerging economies is rapidly increasing. Major concrete admixture manufacturers worldwide, including BASF and Sika, have increased their production at production sites in Thailand and more recently have increased capacity in Kenya, Russia and Vietnam. Tilman, head of BASF’s construction chemicals business, said “Russia is a very attractive market and the Russian construction industry is expected to grow faster than the global average in the coming years.”
The importance of concrete admixtures is well documented in the construction of the Gotthard Base Tunnel linking Zurich and Milan through the Swiss Alps. This tunnel uses a total of about 4 million tons of concrete, and pouring or spraying of concrete during construction is often difficult, posing a challenge for companies such as BASF and Sika to provide concrete admixtures for construction work.
Bolygger, head of BASF’s underground construction business in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, said underground construction requires high levels of concrete and must remain uncured for several hours when entering the mountains for transport; however, When concrete is sprayed onto the tunnel walls, it must be fixed immediately. This is the biggest challenge in the construction of the Gotthard Base Tunnel.
