Insulated Concrete Forms: Introduction
- Insulating concrete formwork is a building system that uses lightweight formwork made from an insulating material to support concrete walls while they are being cast in-situ and which is then left in place as insulation
- Insulated concrete formwork consists of twin-walled expanded polystyrene panels that are stacked together to create a permanent formwork that is used to contain ready-mixed concrete for walls
- Insulated formwork remains in place to provide complete thermal insulation to the walls of the finished building. It also provides a uniform surface ready for direct application of most finishes and proprietary cladding systems.
- Insulated concrete forms lead to cast-in-place concrete walls, which are sandwiched between two different layers of insulation material. Emerging as efficient and strong, insulated concrete forms are used extensively in low-rise buildings and various properties in industrial, commercial, and residential sectors. Traditional finishes are put on the exterior and interior surface of the buildings so as to look similar to conventional construction.
Key Drivers and Restraints of Global Insulated Concrete Forms Market
- Increase in demand for sustainable and green construction to reduce carbon footprint in the environment and disaster resiliency is likely to fuel the global insulated concrete forms market during the forecast period
- Rapid urbanization in most of the developing countries is projected to offer a positive outlook for the building & infrastructure sector. This is likely to boost the global market. Insulated concrete form systems offer greater structural strength and better energy efficiency. This leads to wider acceptance of insulated concrete forms in industrial, infrastructure, commercial, and residential sectors.
Insulated Concrete Forms: Type Segment
- In terms of type, the insulated concrete forms market can be classified into flat wall system, waffle grid system, and post & beam system
- Flat wall system involves a homogenous core of even thickness. Waffle grid system consists of connected horizontal carriers and vertical columns. In the post & beam system, the concrete forms are self-contained horizontal and vertical columns. All major systems of insulated concrete forms are engineer-designed, code-accepted, and field-proven. Most of the companies operating in this market manufacture forms with cavity widths ranging between 4", 6", 8", and 10".
- The concrete used for these forms varies depending on the configuration of the core and ease of access around the construction site. It also needs to be consolidated during the placement.
COVID-19 Impact on Insulated Concrete Forms Market
- Since the beginning of 2020, global economy has been experiencing downturn with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is anticipated to significantly impact the production and distribution of insulated concrete forms.
- Governments of several countries have imposed strict lockdowns to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many manufacturing companies are either temporarily shut down or running low on production capacity.
- Decrease in industrial activities due to the pandemic has been adversely impacting the global insulated concrete forms market
North America Holds Major Share of Insulated Concrete Forms Market
- In terms of region, the global insulated concrete forms market can be divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa
- North America dominated the market in 2020. This trend is expected to continue during the forecast period. High product penetration in the U.S. and Canada owing to rise in consumer awareness regarding the benefits of insulated concrete forms is boosting the market in the region.
- The residential sector in the U.S. has been expanding owing to significant new construction and renovation activities in the country. Wood is the major material used in the construction of houses in the U.S. However, wooden houses are prone to fungal attacks and degradation because of moisture.
- Increase in infrastructure spending in developing economies of Asia Pacific due to population growth and urbanization is likely to boost the market in the region
Key Manufacturers Operating in Global Insulated Concrete Forms Market
The global insulated concrete forms market was consolidated in 2020. Major players have prominent presence in developed and developing countries. Key manufacturers operating in the global insulated concrete forms market include:
- IntegraSpec
- Airlite (Fox Blocks)
- Quad-Lock Building Systems Ltd.
- Nudura Corporation
- Logix Insulated Concrete Forms Ltd.
- Superform Products Ltd.
- Amvic
- BuildBlock Building Systems
- Plasti-Fab
Global Insulated Concrete Forms Market: Research Scope
Global Insulated Concrete Forms Market, by Material
- Polystyrene Foam
- Polyurethane Foam
- Cement-bonded Wood Fiber
- Cement-bonded Polystyrene Beads
- Cellular Concrete
Global Insulated Concrete Forms Market, by Type
- Flat Wall System
- Waffle Grid System
- Post & Beam System
Global Insulated Concrete Forms Market, by Application
- Commercial
- Industrial
- Infrastructural
- Residential
Global Insulated Concrete Forms Market, by Region
- North America
- Europe
- Germany
- U.K.
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Russia & CIS
- Rest of Europe
- Asia Pacific
- China
- India
- Japan
- ASEAN
- Rest of Asia Pacific
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Rest of Latin America
- Middle East & Africa
- GCC
- South Africa
- Rest of Middle East & Africa
