Waterproofing Systems Market

Waterproofing systems are essential for protecting buildings and structures from water damage. Whether you are constructing a new building or renovating an existing one, it is crucial to invest in a high-quality waterproofing system to ensure the longevity of your property. In this essay, we will explore the different types of waterproofing systems, their benefits, and how to choose the right system for your needs.

Types of Waterproofing Systems

There are several types of waterproofing systems, each with its unique features and benefits. The most common types are:

• Liquid Waterproofing Systems: These systems involve applying a liquid coating to the surface to create a waterproof barrier. They are easy to install, can be used on a variety of surfaces, and offer excellent durability.
• Sheet Membrane Waterproofing Systems: Sheet membranes are applied to the surface to create a waterproof barrier. They are typically made of rubber, PVC, or modified bitumen and offer excellent durability and resistance to UV rays.
• Cementitious Waterproofing Systems: These systems involve applying a cement-based coating to the surface to create a waterproof barrier. They are easy to install and offer excellent resistance to water and chemicals.
• Bentonite Waterproofing Systems: Bentonite is a type of clay that swells when it comes into contact with water. Bentonite waterproofing systems involve applying a layer of bentonite to the surface to create a waterproof barrier. They offer excellent resistance to water and are commonly used in underground applications.

Benefits of Waterproofing Systems

Investing in a waterproofing system offers several benefits, including:

• Protection against Water Damage: Waterproofing systems create a barrier that prevents water from seeping into the building or structure, preventing water damage and mold growth.
• Increased Durability: Waterproofing systems offer excellent resistance to UV rays, chemicals, and other environmental factors, increasing the durability of the building or structure.
• Energy Efficiency: By preventing water from seeping into the building, waterproofing systems can help to reduce energy costs by improving insulation.
• Enhanced Aesthetics: Waterproofing systems can improve the appearance of the building or structure by providing a clean, uniform surface that is free from cracks and other imperfections.

Choosing the Right Waterproofing System

Choosing the right waterproofing system depends on several factors, including the type of surface, the level of protection required, and the environmental conditions. Consulting with a professional waterproofing contractor is the best way to determine the right system for your needs.

Dynamics of Waterproofing Systems Market

Drivers in Waterproofing Systems Market

The global below-grade waterproofing membrane market is expected to witness significant growth in the forecast period. The market drivers include growing investments in public infrastructure, renovation of old infrastructure, industrialization, and increasing urbanization. Additionally, the use of waterproofing membranes in various industries, such as chemical, petroleum, and food & beverage, to reduce moisture content, is expected to stimulate market revenue growth. The oil & gas industry employs waterproofing membranes to prevent corrosion of pipelines, facilities, and resist positive pressure in tanks, bunds, and other water retaining structures, further boosting market revenue growth.

However, the potential health and environmental issues arising from the use of ecologically unsafe materials during waterproofing works may act as a restraint towards market growth rate during the forecast period. The production of such works generates a significant amount of waste that requires processing in the secondary production or salvaging, which can negatively impact the environment, natural resources, and health of citizens. The instability in raw material prices also has the potential to challenge the growth of the waterproofing systems market.

Restraints in Waterproofing Systems Market

Despite the challenges, the growing demand for cost-effective and efficient waterproofing systems in the construction industry is a key determinant favoring market growth during the forecast period. The rising investments in the growth of water conservation and wastewater treatment infrastructure, along with the high rate of urbanization and infrastructural developments, are also positively impacting the growth of the waterproofing systems market. Moreover, the emergence of environment-friendly waterproofing systems and green buildings, as well as the rising requirement for water management in emerging economies, will further offer growth opportunities for the market.

Opportunity: Rise of Eco-Friendly Waterproofing Systems and Green Buildings

The emergence of green buildings and environmentally-friendly waterproofing systems is providing new opportunities for the market. Traditional waterproofing systems have been associated with high levels of toxicity and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, leading manufacturers such as Sika, Fosroc, Kemper Systems, and Pidilite have invested in R&D to develop solutions that have minimal environmental impact. These companies are also obtaining green certifications for their products to be used in sustainable construction projects such as green roofs and green buildings.

Green roofs are becoming increasingly popular as they help in reducing energy costs, urban heat island effect, removing harmful air particles, and minimizing stormwater runoff. Green buildings, on the other hand, are energy-efficient structures that require waterproofing to provide efficient protection from water runoff and weather conditions while also enhancing energy efficiency. Countries such as Germany and the US have seen high growth in green buildings due to regulations pertaining to building emissions and their positive impact. With the rise of industrialization and infrastructural development in countries like India and China, the market for environmentally-friendly waterproofing systems is expected to expand further. Furthermore, the roofing and waste management industries are also driving market growth in this area.

In the Asia Pacific, the use of waterproofing membranes in mining applications is predicted to drive growth. However, the industry's expansion may be stymied by price fluctuations and a lack of raw materials. Fluctuations in raw material costs may increase the overall cost of manufacturing waterproofing membranes, reducing demand. Moreover, a shortage of raw materials may create a supply gap, hindering the expansion of the global waterproofing membranes market.

The market is also witnessing a rise in new technologies such as the rapid-curing resin technique, which is typically used for inhabited building balconies and external pathways. This technique involves using a cold-liquid applied reinforced membrane system that can be deployed as a whole edge-to-edge membrane system or in isolated areas to handle specific situations.

Challenge: Fluctuations in Raw Material Prices

One of the major challenges facing the global waterproofing chemicals market is the volatility in raw material prices. The prices of raw materials used in manufacturing waterproofing systems are often affected by the fluctuations in energy prices since most of these materials are petroleum-based. For instance, in 2018, the average oil price increased from USD 54 to USD 71 per barrel, negatively impacting the growth of the waterproofing systems market.

Furthermore, applying traditional waterproofing systems such as bitumen can expose workers to volatile fumes, causing health issues such as nasal irritation and bronchitis. However, due to the pandemic situation, domestic and international travel has been restricted, leading to a drop in demand for transportation fuel and affecting crude oil prices. Geopolitical instability in eastern Europe is also affecting raw material prices, adding to the challenge faced by the industry.

Ecosystem of Waterproofing Systems Market

According to the forecast period, waterproofing membranes are expected to be the largest and fastest-growing type in the waterproofing systems market. These membranes play a significant role in reducing water ingress into a building structure, and they hold the largest share in the overall waterproofing systems market. There are two types of waterproofing membranes available - sheet membranes and liquid applied membranes. Among these, sheet membranes are more popular due to their affordability and ease of use. Waterproofing membranes are easy to manage and offer efficient waterproofing, which results in a prolonged lifespan for building structures. They are also easily replaceable, making them an ideal choice for many applications.

The fastest-growing application in the waterproofing systems market during the forecast period is waste and water management. Water management activities involve waterproofing large water tanks, sewers, treatment tanks, spillways, channels, inlets, water treatment works, and wastewater treatment utilities. Different waterproofing materials such as membrane systems based on polyurea, PU, epoxy, cementitious, and crystalline are utilized in these applications. In water and wastewater treatment plants, waterproofing is applied to various tanks, including pretreatment tanks, primary sedimentation tanks, secondary sedimentation tanks, biological treatment tanks, sludge tanks, tertiary treatment tanks, equalization tanks, operation facilities, and others. Proper waterproofing is necessary to protect these structures and equipment from premature damage and ensure their long-term service life. The high growth of the waterproofing systems market is attributed to the increasing water management needs driven by urbanization and industrialization.

The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to experience the fastest growth rate in the waterproofing systems market during the forecast period. The market growth in this region is primarily driven by the rising population, increased demand for residential buildings, rapid industrialization, and growing urbanization. China is the largest market for waterproofing systems in the region, as it is a significant producer and consumer of these systems. India and South Korea are also expected to grow at a decent rate during the forecast period.

India's building demand is projected to increase due to strong economic development and the removal of obstacles to foreign investment over the next eight years. Vietnam and the Philippines are also emerging as promising markets as the population and urbanization accelerate, and economic growth surges. In South Korea, private and state investments in commercial, industrial, and infrastructural projects are expected to propel the construction sector's growth. Malaysia is also expected to experience rapid infrastructure expansion due to the implementation of projects under the government's economic reform agenda.

Polyurethane liquid membranes are widely used in the roofing and waterproofing industries worldwide, with a strong presence in the small and medium-sized roof restoration sector, which is highly profitable and resistant to crises. The liquid membrane market is fragmented and supplied only by local or regional vendors. The market growth for these membranes is disproportionately high due to their improved qualities such as durability, adaptability, good strength-to-weight ratio, and better insulating capabilities. Polyurethane liquid membranes outperform traditional waterproofing membranes, especially where seamless systems are required either visually or physically, due to their application in geometrically complex connections and low energy consumption.

The past use of low-quality construction materials followed by inadequate building structure maintenance is expected to create a vast market for repair and rehabilitation, which would further increase the usage of polyurethane liquid membranes. Increased infrastructure investment, industrialisation, and urbanisation in developing countries like India, China, and Brazil are predicted to drive the demand for polyurethane membranes. Furthermore, governments in both developing and wealthy countries recognise the significance of infrastructure development in terms of sustainability and durability. This recognition is fuelling the demand for green buildings, which has massive market potential for polyurethane liquid membranes.

In areas where precipitation varies regionally and seasonally, water conservation, transportation, and purification become more crucial. To address these needs, waterproofing membranes are widely used in the water and waste management industries. China is the largest buyer of waterproofing membranes for waste management in the Asia Pacific region. This increase in demand can be attributed to rapid urbanization and the shift of industries to the region, resulting in a substantial increase in industrial operations and waste output.

The adoption of waterproof membranes in the construction sector may be limited due to the low understanding of contractors regarding the proper type and quality of building chemicals needed for long-lasting constructions. The manufacturer's lack of significant research into the material's durability, as well as the lack of essential consumer construction requirements, is also a contributing factor. The success of waterproofing largely depends on using products that meet specifications. However, the industry currently has no regulations, allowing any manufacturer to become a waterproofing applicator. This lack of knowledge and regulation also results in intense competition from abroad, where companies offer cheaper costs without regard for quality or standards.

The Asia Pacific region is experiencing significant growth in the roofing application sector, especially in the residential home development market. The roofing market is expected to grow in the coming years, primarily due to the increased exposure to precipitation and environmental moisture, which has boosted the demand for sheet membranes. The use of building structures in construction for extended shelf life and protection at varied temperatures is also predicted to contribute to the market's growth. Furthermore, the increasing use of sheet membrane materials for flooring applications is expected to drive market growth. In Europe, rising concerns about water and waste management are expected to increase demand for waterproofing solutions. Eastern European countries such as Poland, Russia, and Turkey are expected to have strong market growth due to increased investment and a revival of the construction sector. The market for bio-based waterproofing solutions is also expected to grow. In North America, the revival of the construction sector is expected to drive growth, and the roofs and walls application segments are predicted to offer a large opportunity for expansion. The region is home to significant companies in the waterproofing membranes industry, and increased R&D spending is expected to drive demand for bitumen in the liquid applied membranes market. Finally, research studies on the use of waterproofing membranes for walls are expected to have a favourable impact on the market during the forecast period, with new products like Newton Waterproofing's single component liquid waterproofing membrane expected to boost the market's growth.

Dominating Companies in Waterproofing Systems Market

• SIKA AG
• FOSROC
• GCP APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES
• SOPREMA
• CARLISLE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
• HENKEL POLYBIT INDUSTRIES LTD.
• MAPEI S.P.A.
• PIDILITE INDUSTRIES
• TREMCO (RPM INTERNATIONAL)
• SAINT-GOBAIN
• ALCHIMICA BUILDING CHEMICALS
• BOSTIK
• ELMICH PTE LTD.
• FIRESTONE BUILDING PRODUCTS COMPANY LLC.
• GAF MATERIAL CORPORATION
• GULF MEMBRANE AND COATING INDUSTRIES
• IKO
• JOHNS MANVILLE
• KEMPER SYSTEM
• IWL INDIA LIMITED
• SIPLAST
• STP LIMITED
• THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY
• KOSTER WATERPROOFING SYSTEM (KOSTER BAUCHEMIE AG)
• CONCRETE WATERPROOFING SYSTEM
• BASF SE
• Henry Company LLC
• IKO PLC

Recent Developments in Waterproofing Systems Market

• In December 2020, Sika AG announced that it had completed the acquisition of Kreps LLC, a leading manufacturer of waterproofing systems for tunnels and bridges in Russia. The acquisition will enable Sika to strengthen its position in the Russian market and expand its product portfolio.
• In May 2020, RPM International, the parent company of Tremco Incorporated, announced that it had acquired two companies in the field of waterproofing: Construction Chemicals Pty Ltd, a leading manufacturer of waterproofing and flooring products in Australia, and Nudura Corporation, a manufacturer of insulated concrete forms and building envelope systems in Canada. The acquisitions will enhance RPM's global presence and broaden its product offerings in the construction industry.
• In January 2019, MAPEI Corporation announced that it had formed a partnership with GCP Applied Technologies to distribute its line of waterproofing products in the United States and Canada. The partnership will allow MAPEI to expand its product offerings and reach a wider customer base in North America.
• In August 2018, BASF SE completed the acquisition of the waterproofing systems business of Tensar International Corporation, a global provider of specialty products for construction and earthworks. The acquisition will enable BASF to expand its product portfolio and strengthen its position in the construction industry.
• In April 2018, Arkema SA announced that it had acquired Polymem, a French manufacturer of ultrafiltration membranes and systems for water and wastewater treatment. The acquisition will enable Arkema to expand its product offerings in the field of water management, including waterproofing systems for buildings and infrastructure.
• In 2021, global specialty chemicals company Sika acquired Kreps LLC, a leading manufacturer of waterproofing membranes and coatings in Russia. This acquisition is expected to strengthen Sika's position in the Russian market and expand its product portfolio.
• In 2020, Kemper System America, a leading manufacturer of high-performance liquid resin systems, announced a partnership with VaproShield, a leading provider of breathable membrane solutions. This partnership aimed to provide customers with comprehensive roofing and waterproofing solutions.
• In 2019, Sika acquired King Packaged Materials Company, a Canadian manufacturer of waterproofing and repair products. This acquisition expanded Sika's product portfolio and market presence in Canada.
• In 2019, RPM International, a leading manufacturer of specialty coatings and sealants, acquired Nudura Corporation, a manufacturer of insulated concrete forms and building systems. This acquisition expanded RPM International's product portfolio and market presence in the construction industry.
• In 2018, Soprema, a global manufacturer of waterproofing and insulation systems, acquired Derbigum Americas, a manufacturer of modified bitumen roofing systems. This acquisition expanded Soprema's product portfolio and market presence in North America.

Waterproofing systems are essential for protecting buildings and structures from water damage. There are several types of waterproofing systems available, each with its unique features and benefits. Investing in a high-quality waterproofing system offers several benefits, including protection against water damage, increased durability, energy efficiency, and enhanced aesthetics. Choosing the right waterproofing system depends on several factors and consulting with a professional waterproofing contractor is recommended.