Polymer concrete is a material that uses polymers as a binder replacing lime-type cement. Polymer concrete can be used for new construction or for repairing old construction. Polymer concrete consists of adhesive properties which help to repair both polymer and cement-based concrete.
Growth in infrastructural activities and with the development of residential and commercial infrastructure is driving demand for use of specialised applications such as polymer concrete. Also, polymer concrete is expected to register 7.9% of CAGR during 2017-2027, according to the latest report by Future Market Insights (FMI).
Rise in demand for sewerage pipes due to increasing population in Asia Pacific is boosting the demand for polymer concrete products in the region. Similarly, infrastructure development like construction of building, roadways, pipes and bridges in the Middle East and Africa have used polymer concrete on a large scale.
Upcoming constructions and infrastructure projects including new roads, dams, upgrading of sewerage system in the countries such as Latin America and China will considerably use polymer concrete, this, in turn, will create an opportunity for the industries dealing in polymer concrete material.
Polymer Concrete is Expensive as compared to other Materials
The cost of polymer concrete is high as compared to other materials used in construction. Polymer compound makes concrete more durable and safer than other concretes, hence it is more expensive. Moreover, there are specific types of plastic as a cheaper alternative to polymer concrete. This is also restricting the growth in the use of polymer concrete.
Polymer concrete products are stronger as compared to other concrete products because very low voids content is present in polymer concrete and toughness of polymer makes it superior to other products.
Polymer concrete is also being increasingly used in industrial applications such as waste containers, chemical containments, pump base, industrial flooring blocks, etc. This increase in the use of polymer concrete in industrial applications is due to its improved properties such as an ability to form complex shape, rapid curing and excellent vibration damping properties.
Although it is expensive, polymer concrete offers various benefits depending on the resin used to make it. For example, Acrylic binders offer resistance to weathering and set very quickly. Whereas, polymer mortar is a type of polymer concrete made from binder and fine sand like aggregate it is mostly used to join objects and coat objects for protection.
