Lightweight Aggregate Concrete: Introduction
- Lightweight aggregate concrete is a type of concrete, which includes an expanding agent. The expanding agent helps increase the volume of the mixture, while simultaneously reducing its dead weight. The expanding agent can be termed as lightweight aggregate. The use of lightweight aggregate concrete dates back to 3,000 B.C. in the Indus Valley civilization. It was also used in the Roman Empire.
- Lightweight aggregate concrete is used in various types of construction because of its excellent properties. These properties include fire resistance, availability in a wide range of densities from 50 kg/m3 to 1000 kg/m3, excellent compressive strength, and possibility to cut, nail, drill, and shape the concrete with ordinary wood working tools. However, there are also a few disadvantages associated with lightweight aggregate concrete. These include brittleness, sensitivity to water content, and longer mixing time. These are some of the factors hampering the lightweight aggregate concrete market.
Key Drivers and Restraints of Global Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Market
- Rapid growth in the construction industry and increase in urbanization and disposable income of the people are driving the market. Lightweight aggregate concrete is fire resistant, and has excellent compressive strength. Increase in expenditure on R&D of construction materials is expected to drive the construction industry. This, in turn, is anticipated to boost the lightweight aggregate concrete market.
- Advancements in technology, growth in demand for green building materials, and rise in construction projects in developing economies of Asia Pacific are likely to offer growth opportunities to the lightweight aggregate concrete market. However, disadvantages of lightweight aggregate concrete, such as slower mixing time and sensitivity to water content, are some of the factors that are estimated to restrain the market.
Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Market: Material Segment
- In terms of material, the global lightweight aggregate concrete market can be segmented into natural materials and by-products. Natural materials used for manufacture of lightweight aggregate concrete include volcanic pumice, shale, and slate.
- By-products include materials such as fly ash and palm oil shells, which occur naturally. Industrial by-products include slag and pelletized expanded slabs. A region or country’s use of material partly depends upon its development status and the amount of manufacturing activity taking place. If the amount of manufacturing activity is higher, then a higher amount of by-product is available to manufacture lightweight aggregate concrete market.
Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Market: Application Segment
- In terms of application, the global lightweight aggregate concrete market can be segmented into civil construction, industrial construction, and infrastructure construction
- Civil construction consists of residential and commercial buildings, and bungalows. Industrial construction consists of manufacturing facilities and warehouses.
- Infrastructure construction includes roads, bridges, museums, multiplexes, shopping malls, and car parking
Covid-19 Impact on Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Market
- On January 30, 2020, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Originating in China, the virus has spread to at least 213 countries and territories around the world.
- Several governments and private sector businesses are operating at a limited capacity or have ceased operations completely due to recent events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic
- The construction industry has come to a halt due to the unavailability of raw materials, shortage of labor, etc. This is expected to hamper the lightweight aggregate concrete market in the near future.
Asia Pacific to Dominate Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Market
- In terms of region, the global lightweight aggregate concrete market can be segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa
- North America dominated the lightweight aggregate concrete market in 2020. This trend is anticipated to continue during the forecast period. This can be ascribed to the higher production and consumption of lightweight aggregate concrete, especially in the U.S. However, the lightweight aggregate concrete market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to expand at a rapid pace owing to the increase in demand for lightweight aggregate concrete in emerging countries such as China and India in the region.
Key Manufacturers Operating in Global Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Market
The global lightweight aggregate concrete market was consolidated in 2020. Major players have prominent presence in developed and developing countries. Key manufacturers operating in the global lightweight aggregate concrete market include:
- Cimentos de Portugal
- SGPS, S.A. (CIMPOR)
- Cemex
- Holcim
- Lafarge, CRH
- Italcementi
- China Resources Cement
- Votorantim
- U.S. Concrete, Inc.
- Buzzi Unicem
- HeidelbergCement Group
Global Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Market: Research Scope
Global Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Market, by Material
- Natural Materials
- By-products
Global Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Market, by Application
- Civil Construction
- Industrial Construction
- Infrastructure Construction
Global Lightweight Aggregate Concrete 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
