The global sprayed concrete or shotcrete market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.83% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
Shotcrete is a method of applying concrete by spraying it. Shotcrete may be defined as a mixture of aggregate and Portland cement transported through compressed air to the spray gun, where water is included. The wet material is then sprayed into position and may be carved or troweled immediately. For structural applications, shotcrete is often placed over a framework of reinforcing bars and steel mesh. It is used for various fancy concrete constructions, including fake rock walls, zoo enclosures, canopy roofs, refractory linings, pools, and dams. This is mainly due to its ability to adopt any shape, be readily colored, and be sculpted after application. It is occasionally used in tunneling to connect the tunnel walls, preventing leaks and fragmentation.
Sprayed concrete has several applications and uses. Curved buildings (such as shell roofs, domes, and tunnel linings) and free-formed structures (such as swimming pools and climbing walls) are examples. Underground construction, retaining walls, and piled wall facings are additional common applications. Sprayed concrete is also often used to protect steelwork from fires and to strengthen and repair existing buildings.
Nonetheless, investing in Canada's infrastructure program is one of the ways in which the government supports various sectors. Moreover, the program also deals with strong, sustainable, and diverse communities for Canadian people and the availability of better, reliable, and updated services to make people’s lives easier. The program funds are about USD 33 billion and have been received through two-party deals between Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Canada and every province and territory. Hence, growth in housing demand will be highly synchronized with higher acceptance as well as innovative developments in sprayed concrete or shotcrete that are poised to shape the modern construction practice.
Furthermore, new product releases frequently emphasize sustainability, including advances in eco-friendly products. For example, Wagners announced the launch of Earth Friendly Shotcrete, the world’s first ZERO-cement shotcrete that would be used in pools in October 2021. Wagners' Earth-friendly Shotcrete is installed and finished in the same way as traditional shotcrete but with superior technical features and ZERO-cement, which greatly decreases the carbon footprint of building projects. These improvements not only satisfy legal standards but also address the growing worldwide need for sustainable building techniques.
In line with this, MacLean’s combination of the SS5 Shotcrete Sprayer and TM3 Transmixer gives underground mining customers another alternative for zero-emissions ground support installation. Comprehensively, continual innovation in sprayed concrete or shotcrete propels industry growth and creates players who determine the future of building practices through new materials and solutions.
The ACI defines a "wet process" as “shotcrete in which all of the ingredients, including water, are mixed before introduction into the delivery hose and compressed air is introduced to the material flow at the nozzle." In other words, the dry method includes blowing powder via a hose and adding water to the nozzle, whereas the wet process requires pumping pre-mixed material to the nozzle. Compressed air is supplied to the nozzle during the wet process to improve spray characteristics. The primary distinction between the two procedures is the moment at which water is introduced.
Shotcrete machines are crucial in ensuring that the entire process runs smoothly. The wet spraying procedure, generally carried out by a machine, uses both human and mechanical methods. Mechanization necessitates high spray outputs and broad cross-sections. Concrete spraying systems, which often include duplex pumps, are used to deal with wet mixtures. Unlike ordinary concrete pumps, these systems maintain a constant and uniform concrete flow to enable consistent spray application.
Concrete pump advancements have made it possible to put wet process material faster. Because of the faster output rate, wet processing is often used for larger works. Many lock and dam, underground, and rail tunnel projects need the placement of hundreds or even thousands of yards of material in vast open spaces. In many of these applications, aesthetics is not a main priority. Hence, the shotcrete is not given a trowel finish; instead, it has a natural gun finish. Contractors on these sorts of projects prefer the wet procedure because of the quickness of placement.
The Asia Pacific region's sprayed concrete or shotcrete market is expected to increase significantly. This expansion is predominant because many nations engage in massive construction projects that require steel in their infrastructural development. Emerging economies like China and India are investing massively in transportation, energy, and infrastructure development, most of which entail sound and effective structures like sprayed concrete. Additionally, growth in the population in such countries is increasing the need for concrete in tunneling, bridges, dams, and other important structures. China's urbanization rate ranks among the highest in the world.
According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Shanghai, by 2025, China will have built the equivalent of ten New York-size cities. According to China's 14th Five-Year Plan, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) has issued a notice for the implementation of urban renewal actions in 2020. While China's urbanization rate reached 64.7% in 2022, the government's urban regeneration program aims to create greener and more efficient cities as part of its efforts to enhance urban living conditions.
Additionally, India's housing business is one of the fastest-growing sectors. This sector's growth is driven by a huge population base, growing income levels, and expanding urbanization. The Indian Constitution delegated responsibility for housing and urban development to the State Governments in the country's federal structure. Between April 2000 and December 2023, FDI in the construction development (townships, housing, built-up infrastructure, and construction development projects) and construction (infrastructure) activity sectors totaled US$ 26.54 billion and 33.52 billion, respectively. As Asia Pacific's construction sector evolves and expands, the sprayed concrete market will likely play a crucial role in addressing the region's expanding infrastructure demands economically and sustainably.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Growth Rate | 6.83% |
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
| Segmentation | Process, End-Use Sector, Geography |
| Geographical Segmentation | North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific |
| Companies |
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