"Admixtures have the ability to reduce cement-to-water ratios in concrete mixtures as well as improve the adhesive properties of concrete," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Sowmya Ramaswami. "They optimise the poor performance and quality of aggregates used in the manufacture of concrete. Such unique abilities have been instrumental in supporting its growth in the European market for concrete admixtures."
Superplasticizers, for instance, enable up to 25 per cent water reduction in concrete mixtures, while plasticizers accomplish water reduction up to fifteen per cent. The major difference between plasticizers and superplasticizers lies in percentage of water reduction accomplished by plasticizers and superplasticizers. Superplasticizers and plasticizers account for more than eighty percentage of the market in Europe with polycarboxylates finding increased application in precast and self-compacting concrete structures.
Both superplasticizers and plasticizers are expected to generate high revenues over the forecast period due to their increased application in precast, ready-mix, pre-stressed, self compacting and high-strength concrete structures. This could help boost their unit prices.
However, current economic conditions in Europe are not very conducivty for the growth of the overall concrete admixtures market. Countries such as Germany and Italy, in particular, are witnessing slow economic growth that is likely to affect the pace of building and construction activity, and hence, the demand for concrete admixtures.
Additionally, Europe is facing an over-abundance of supply that is unlikely to correspond with the low demand from countries such as Germany and Italy. This situation of over capacity is likely to lead to a mature and increasingly saturated admixtures market.
With the market nearing saturation, competition among participants is intensifying as they attempt to sustain their positions through product differentiation. Companies need to focus on developing technologies that could enhance admixtures' properties for which they need well-established and adequately funded R&D departments.
"By focusing on continuously upgrading product quality, companies could achieve better product differentiation, which could boost admixture sales and overall market growth," says Ms. Ramaswami. "An increase in the exports of admixtures to developing countries may also contribute to the growth of the market."