Shotcrete Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2024-2032)

The global shotcrete market is expanding as seen below due to the flexibility and resistance it provides when applied in construction, mining, and tunneling industries for spraying on walls. Some examples of its advantages are a high rate of application, nonrelevant on the surface geometries, and well adapted for tunnel walls, slope, and mining excavation sites. Fiber-reinforced and robotic applications also add to the appeal of shotcrete by increasing strength, decreasing application time, and increasing safety for workers. The increasing demand for global infrastructure development, especially in the growing economies, and the increased importance of new sustainable construction methods are expected to drive the shotcrete market in the coming years.

The Shotcrete market is set to show a growth rate of about 7.5%. This is due to rapid urbanization and infrastructure projects, particularly in emerging markets, are driving demand for shotcrete. Also, increasing R&D, investment, product advancements, and collaborations in this industry drive the Shotcrete market. For instance, in June 2024, the Rath Group installed an advanced insulation system at a European steel plant to boost energy efficiency and safety through superior thermal insulation using fireproof ceramic materials. This installation is a key part of the plant's modernization strategy to adhere to stricter environmental standards and enhance operational efficiency.

Based on technique, the market is bifurcated into wet mix and dry mix. The wet mix category is expected to have the largest market share of the shotcrete market. Due to a higher level of efficiency, uniform quality, and improved bonding characteristics. When concrete that has been pre-mixed with water is pumped through these hoses, dust is eliminated and the rebound is also reduced, thus suitable for large structures such as tunnels, mines, and underground works. This method is suitable for those applications, where fast, dependable, and long-lasting solutions are needed, and hence stimulates the applications in construction and mining.

Based on the system, the market is bifurcated into manual and robotic spraying. Among these, the manual category is a key driver of the shotcrete market. The manual method of shotcrete application is still useful for smaller and more complex projects for which close and/or intricate access is needed. By contrast, skilled operators can select certain areas which are important in cases where automation is impossible. Manual systems are cheaper to implement and use because they are accompanied by less complex equipment and therefore are preferable for use in small business entities and for small projects. These dynamics and flexibility, coupled with labor cost control persist to fuel demand in markets with moderate labor costs. It remains especially important in the emerging areas where automation remains out of reach.

Based on the application, the market is segmented into underground construction, water retaining structures, repair work, bridges, and others. Among these, the underground construction segment is a key driver of the shotcrete market. In tunneling mining, or subway systems construction, shotcrete plays a major role because it is capable of withstanding immense surface pressures in the shortest time possible making construction safer and stronger. With the rapid growth in urban areas in various countries and the constantly developing mining industry, the usage of shotcrete in various underground projects has gone up. The ability of shotcrete to cope with high-stress situations, including deploying new technologies such as fiber-reinforced shotcrete, places it as a critical support to the expansion of infrastructure and resource exploration, thereby pushing the shotcrete market forward.

For a better understanding of the market adoption of shotcrete, the market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in countries such as North America (U.S., Canada, and the Rest of North America), Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Rest of World. Among these, Europe held a major share of the shotcrete market due to significant spending on infrastructure development specifically in urban areas. The increasing usage of shotcrete in regions such as underground construction, slope stabilization, and protection of surfaces in the region is expected to drive the process demand in the forthcoming years. Furthermore, Europe is continuing a focus on research and development and technological advancement within the construction industry. These European-based firms encourage research and developmental activities that result in new-generation shotcrete materials hence increasing the rate of this process.

Some major players running in the market include BASF; Sika Limited; ACS; Bauverlag BV GmbH; CEMEX S.A.B. de C.V.; Saint-Gobain (GCP Applied Technologies); US Concrete Products; HOLCIM; MAPEI Corporation; Normet.