GCC Geocomposites Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product (Geotextile - Geonet Composites, Geotextile - Geomembrane Composites, Geomembrane - Geogrid Composites, Geotextile - Geogrid Composites, and Others), By Function (Separation, Drainage, Reinforcement, and Others), By Application (Water & Wastewater Management, Road & Highway, Landfill & Mining, Soil Reinforcement, and Others), and Country Forecast, 2023-2030

The GCC geocomposites market size was valued at USD 13.28 million in 2022. The market is projected to grow from USD 13.78 million in 2023 to USD 18.23 million by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period.

Geocomposites are engineered materials made using different layers of geosynthetics such as geotextiles and geomembranes. The unique properties offered by these products help address various challenges encountered in construction activities. A few of the functionalities offered by these composite products include drainage, separation, soil reinforcement, and filtration. These geocomposites increase stability and strengthen the underlying soil, which is critical in any construction activity.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Supply Chain Disruptions Due to Lockdown Restrictions Influenced Market Growth

Countries in the GCC had imposed restrictions on material distribution and transportation owing to which manufacturing plants in the region either had to operate at a reduced production capacity or even had to shut down their manufacturing facilities. As a result, the production of geocomposites was reduced significantly, which was further aggravated by logistics challenges, and labor shortages. Geocomposite producers faced a supply shortage, at least for the first half of 2020, due to trade restrictions in key industrial nations such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. The demand side was affected as the COVID-19 crisis gave a severe blow to the construction industry and road & highway projects. Various construction projects were postponed, canceled, or continued at a slower pace. As a result of this issue, construction activities were stalled and the demand decreased drastically during the pandemic period. However, the economies across the region have already entered a recovery phase. Demand for these composite products is likely to rise, creating attractive opportunities for GCC geocomposites market growth during the forecast period.

LATEST TRENDS

Rising Adoption of Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Construction Materials to Prompt Increase in Consumption

Environmental sustainability is anticipated to drive higher demand for geocomposites owing to their cost effectiveness in the long term and an efficient way to manage environmental issues. These products can replace and reduce the use of traditional construction materials such as concrete and asphalt, which require large amounts of natural resources. Thus, using these composites can significantly reduce the strain on natural resources. The energy consumed to produce these composite products in comparison to conventional materials is also less. This implies that less greenhouse gases can be produced during geocomposite manufacturing relative to asphalt and concrete. In addition, the high durability offered by these products means they require less frequent replacement, reducing the amount of waste generated from construction and maintenance activities. Some composites can also be recycled at the end of their useful life. For example, recycled geotextile can be used as alternate fuel in cement kilns. This further improves the environmental acceptability of such composite products and prompts wider adoption in construction projects.

DRIVING FACTORS

Rising Use of Geocomposites in Construction Activities to Drive Market Growth

The regional construction industry has been growing at a modest pace over the past few decades and is expected to rise during the forecast period. The region has undergone rapid infrastructure development in the past decade, driven by population growth, urbanization, and governments’ economic diversification initiatives. Furthermore, the construction sector in region witnessed significant investments in various projects, including residential and commercial buildings, transportation infrastructure, power and water projects, along with tourism-related developments.

They are widely used in the construction industry due to their diverse functionality. The products are increasingly used in these projects as they offer cost-effective solutions for various challenges encountered during construction activities. In addition to infrastructure development, the GCC countries have been focusing on environmental sustainability. These composite products can be used to mitigate environmental issues such as soil erosion and pollution. Thus, these composite products are witnessing higher demand in environmental projects such as landfill liners, wastewater treatment, and soil remediation. As the region's construction sector expands during the forecast period, the demand for construction materials including different types of composite products is expected to increase, thus driving the market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Fluctuating Raw Material Prices to Hinder Market Growth

Geocomposites are majorly manufactured using synthetic polymers derived from crude oil, globally. These polymers include polyethylene, polyester, and polypropylene. The historic crude oil prices that keep on fluctuating have been demonstrated to have a substantial effect on prices of these raw materials, are thus expected to limit the market growth.  In comparison to traditional construction materials such as gravel and asphalt, the initial cost associated with these composite products can be relatively much higher. This makes it difficult for some projects to justify the higher costs of composite products. The cost of construction projects is often a critical factor, and project owners may be reluctant to invest in materials that are more expensive than necessary, limiting their wider adoption.

SEGMENTATION

By Product Analysis

Superior Functionality Offered by Geotextile-Geonet Composites to Result in Wider Adoption across Different Construction Activities

Based on product, the market is segmented into geotextile - geonet composites, geotextile - geomembrane composites, geomembrane - geogrid composites, geotextile - geogrid composites, and others.

In 2022, the geotextile-geonet composites market segment accounted for the dominant market share in terms of revenue. Geotextiles are permeable fabrics used to separate, filter, reinforce, protect, or drain soil, while geonets are plastic mesh-like materials that provide drainage paths. The combination of these two geosynthetic materials provides both filtration and drainage functions. The geotextile layer acts as a filter, preventing the soil or other materials from clogging in the geonet layer, while the geonet layer provides a high-flow path for water to drain through the composite. They are often used in road and railway construction as a drainage layer, where they prevent water build-up under the pavement. While in applications such as landfills, they are used to facilitate leachate collection and removal. These types of composite products offer a cost-effective and efficient solution for many civil engineering projects that require both filtration and drainage capabilities.

In a geomembrane-geogrid composite, the geogrid acts as a reinforcement layer that helps distribute loads and provide stability to the structure. The geomembrane, in turn, acts as a barrier layer to prevent the migration of fluids and gases. The combination of these two materials creates a highly effective containment system that can withstand a wide range of environmental conditions. These types of composite products have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their superior performance, durability, and ease of installation compared to traditional containment systems.

By Function Analysis

Drainage Segment Accounted for Dominant Share Owing to its Wide Usage in Road, Railways, and Landfill Applications

In terms of function, the market is segmented into separation, drainage, reinforcement, and others.

Geocomposites used for drainage typically include a core made of a highly permeable material such as a geonet or geospacer, sandwiched between two geotextile layers. These types of composite products are used in a wide range of applications, from road and railway construction to building foundations and retaining walls. They are commonly used in landfill and environmental remediation projects, where they help to collect and regulate contaminated water and prevent it from polluting surrounding areas. They act as an effective and versatile tool for drainage in infrastructure projects, reducing the risk of damage from water buildup and ensuring the durability and safety of structures.

Another major function of a geocomposite for separation is to prevent the mixing of different soil layers or materials, which can lead to instability, settlement, and other problems. Composite products for separation are designed to ensure that the materials such as soil, sand, and gravel remain in their place and don’t mix. This can be important in applications such as road and railway construction where a strong and stable base is necessary for safety and long term durability of infrastructure projects.

By Application Analysis

Road & Highway Segment Accounted for Dominant Share Owing to High Functionality in Road Building Applications

In terms of application, the market is segmented into water & wastewater management, road & highway, landfill & mining, soil reinforcement, and others.

Road & highway held dominant GCC geocomposites market share in 2022. This application segment is anticipated to remain largest during the review period. Geocomposites when used in construction of road and highway structures offer a range of benefits in terms of performance, durability, and maintenance. These products can help to prevent water from entering into road structures, preventing the damage caused due to phenomena such as freeze-thaw cycles. They improve the stability and load-bearing capacity of roads, reduce the risk of cracking, and make the road more resistant to erosion. The structural stability offered by these products in road construction and increasing awareness of the environmental benefits are likely to drive their use in road and highway construction.

In water management, these composite products can be used as filters to remove impurities from water, as drainage layers to manage water flow, and as erosion control materials to protect slopes and riverbanks. In addition, these composites are used in wastewater management applications to help contain and manage the flow of wastewater, as well as to filter out contaminants. For example, geotextile-geomembrane composites are commonly used as a barrier to prevent the migration of contaminants into groundwater or surface water.

COUNTRY INSIGHTS

Saudi Arabia accounted for a major market share in 2022. The major factor driving the demand for these composite products in Saudi Arabia is their increased use in construction and infrastructure development. The construction sector in the country is driven by government initiatives focused to diversify the economy and promote private investment. The Saudi government has launched several large-scale infrastructure projects requiring these products for various applications such as soil stabilization, drainage, and erosion control.

These composite products are well-suited to the extreme weather conditions in Saudi Arabia, which can be challenging for traditional construction materials. The hot and dry climate in many parts of the country can cause soil erosion and other types of damage, making these composite products an ideal solution in soil stabilization and erosion control. As the country's construction sector expands during the forecast period, the demand for construction materials including different types of composite products is expected to increase, thus driving market growth.

The UAE has been investing heavily in its infrastructure, with numerous large scale projects in the pipeline. These products help to improve the overall quality of construction projects, reduce maintenance costs, and increase the lifespan of construction. There is a growing awareness among architects, builders, and building owners regarding the benefits of using these composite products in construction activities. This in turn is likely to benefit and drive market growth.

Qatar has been witnessing significant infrastructure development which needs geocomposite applications such as drainage, erosion control, and soil reinforcement for civil construction. In addition, Qatar is a desert country with limited water resources. These composite products are deployed in construction activities to manage water runoff, control erosion, and protect against soil degradation, which can be especially important in arid climates. Thus, geocomposites can be used to improve the efficiency of irrigation systems and provide solutions for groundwater recharge. The demand for these composite products is likely to continue to rise as the country invests in infrastructure development and seeks innovative solutions to the region's specific environmental and construction challenges. The high functionality offered by these products make them a better construction material in comparison to other traditionally used materials. This is likely to prompt higher adoption of composite products, driving market growth.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Strategic Planning Adopted by Companies to Strengthen Market Share

The competitive rivalry in the market is significantly high. The regional market is majorly dominated by a few major market players. Geocomposite manufacturing is a highly capital-intensive industry. Manufacturing facilities require setting up specialized machinery along with R&D capabilities. The competitive landscape of market includes major companies such as ALYAF Industrial Co.Ltd., TenCate Geosynthetics Americas, Officine Maccaferri Spa, and ABG Limited. The key players compete fiercely on pricing, quality, and developing new innovative products. Several other companies, such as GEONATPET, Genap BV, GAST Manufacturing, Inc., Terram Geosynthetics Pvt. Ltd., and Ocean Global, are among other active participants in the market.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• ALYAF INDUSTRIAL CO.LTD. (Saudi Arabia)


• GEONATPET (Saudi Arabia)


• Genap BV (Netherlands)


• GAST Manufacturing, Inc. (South Africa)


• TenCate Geosynthetics Americas (U.S.)


• ABG Limited (U.K.)


• Officine Maccaferri Spa (Italy)


• Terram Geosynthetics Pvt. Ltd. (India)


• Ocean Global (India)


• Texofib (Saudi Arabia)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• January 2022 – Genap signed an exclusive partnership with Watershed Geo, a GA based key geosynthetics manufacturer, for the distribution and installation of ClosureTurf, a synthetic end capping system for landfills.

REPORT COVERAGE

The research report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on crucial aspects such as leading companies, products, functions, and applications. Also, it offers insights into market trends and highlights vital industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report encompasses various factors contributing to the market growth in recent years. It further includes historical data & forecasts revenue growth at country level and analyzes the industry's latest market dynamics and opportunities.

Report Scope & Segmentation