Geosynthetics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Geotextiles, Geomembranes, Geogrids, Geonets), By Application (Soil Reinforcement & Erosion, Road & Pavements), And Segment Forecasts, 2015 - 2022

Industry Insights

The global geosynthetics market size was estimated at USD 17.65 billion in 2014 and is expected to register a CAGR of 5.7% over the forecast period. Infrastructure development in China, India, and Middle East owing to rising government expenditure is expected to drive the market growth.

Geosynthetics are used in various applications including coastal engineering, construction, civil and environmental applications on account of their properties, such as separation, filtration, soil reinforcement, and erosion control. The product is expected to witness a rising demand in wastewater treatment and landfills on account of growing awareness regarding environment conservation.

Federal and state agencies in U.S. have mandated the product use in applications, such as for sediment control and slit fence fabrics for erosion. Furthermore, under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), U.S. EPA has mandated its usage in landfills. These regulations are likely to drive the market over the forecast period.

Positive mining business outlook in China, Australia, South Africa, and Chile is likely to favor market growth. Rising petrochemical production in Middle East due to regulatory support for promoting investments in the downstream energy sector may result in increased availability of raw materials, such as polypropylene and polyethylene. As a result, the Middle East region is expected to emerge as a manufacturing hub for geotechnical products over the forecast period.

Geosynthetic products, mainly, geomembrane, is used to provide line storage and disposal ponds for freshwater required during hydraulic fracturing in the exploration and production of unconventional sources, such as shale gas and tight oil. In addition, the product aids in providing the lining to flow back water, a by-product comprising a high level of salt, chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process.

Increasing expenditure on hydraulic fracturing has resulted in boosting the production of shale gas. Furthermore, rising manufacturing output of shale gas at a global level is expected to promote the importance of geotechnical products in lining systems in the upstream energy sector, thereby complementing the market growth.

Product Insights

Geotextiles led the market accounting for over 70% of the total volume in 2014 on account of increased product usage in soil reinforcement and erosion control due to its properties, such as flexibility and permeability. The product is expected to witness the fastest growth at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2015 to 2022 owing to its emergence as an alternative to other granular materials and low installation cost.

Demand for geomembranes was estimated over 750.0 million square meters in 2014 on account of increased deployment of these membranes in containment and wastewater treatment due to their good permeable property. Popularity of geomembranes as floating covers for reservoirs to control evaporation, minimize VOC emissions, and reduce the need for cleaning and drainage is likely to boost the demand further.

Geogrids find application in road construction for reinforcing the base of structure over soft soils on account of high bearing capacity. The product is likely to witness significant growth owing to its increasing penetration in the infrastructure sector for railway and railroad development activities, including reinforcement of bridges and railway abutments.

Geonets are majorly used for erosion control as the structural components of the net act as small check dams, thereby slowing down the surface runoff and decreasing the erosion potential of water. The demand for geonets is estimated to witness growth at a CAGR of 5.8% in terms of revenue over the forecast period owing to its thickness, which aids its application as boulder nets, thus preventing the loose boulders from falling on the highways or railway tracks.

Application Insights

The application of geosynthetics in roads & pavements accounted for over 35.9% of the global revenue share in 2014 on account of the product attributes including reinforcement and facilitation of water drainage and filtration without the loss of soil particles. Furthermore, increasing use of geosynthetics in road and pavements has resulted in improved performance, good serviceability for short- and long-term, and maintenance savings, which is likely to drive the market.

Containment & wastewater is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 5.6% from 2015 to 2022 on account of increasing product applications in heap leaching process during mining for liquid containment and leak detection. In addition, increasing product demand to avoid seepage for preventing groundwater contamination is anticipated to augment the segment growth over the forecast period.

In January 2012, U.S.-based Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) announced new regulations for erosion and sediment control. In addition, EPA has announced policies intended for controlling soil erosion and sedimentation. Stringent regulations in U.S. meant for controlling soil erosion at the national level are likely to increase the scope of product application, thereby supporting market development.

Increasing demand for water from industrial, domestic, and agriculture sectors coupled with water scarcity has resulted in the conservation of water resources. Rising drainage problems on account of excessive seepage losses from canals is projects to have a positive impact on the market as the product is used for controlling the seepage problems in development and irrigation.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific accounted for over 35% of the global volume share in 2014. Positive construction industry outlook in China, India, Indonesia, and Thailand due to regulatory support to promote investments is expected to boost the product application scope. Robust mining sector in China and Australia is likely to remain a favorable factor over the forecast period.

North America is expected to witness significant growth on account of favorable regulations for promoting the product application at the national level. The government of Mexico announced the National Infrastructure Program (2014 - 2018), aimed at enhancing construction output and may open new growth opportunities in future.

Upcoming events, such as the Summer Olympics 2016 and implementation of PAC Program in Brazil, are expected to augment the construction industry and may fuel market demand. Overabundance of mineral reserves including copper and silver in Peru and Brazil has compelled companies, such as BHP and Rio Tinto to invest in the domestic mining industries. Tus, growing mining sector in Latin America is likely to impact the market positively.

The government of Germany is engaged in increasing the intake of unconventional sources by 35% by 2020, 50% by 2030, and 80% by 2050. Increasing expenditure on establishment of solar Photovoltaic (PV) cells is expected to promote the construction work in the country, thereby augmenting the product demand.

Geosynthetics Market Share Insights

Key manufacturers in the market include TenCate; Agru America, Inc.; GSE; NAUE; Low & Bonar; Officine Maccaferri; and Asahi-Kasei. In May 2014, GSE Environmental Inc. inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Suzhou, China. The manufacturing facility has an annual production capacity of 20,000 metric tons of GSE product offerings. Expansion of production capacity in emerging region and new product developments are expected to remain a critical success factor for the manufacturers over the forecast period. Companies are also forming strategic partnerships with equipment manufacturers to ensure raw material access.

Report Scope