U.S. Geosynthetics Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product (Geotextiles, Geogrids, Geomembranes, Geonets, Geocells, Geofoams, Geosynthetic Clay Liners, Geocomposites) and Forecast, 2021-2028

The U.S. geosynthetics market size was USD 2.27 billion in 2020. The impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and staggering, with U.S. geosynthetics witnessing a negative demand shock across the country amid the pandemic. Based on our analysis, the market exhibited a decline of -1.8% in 2020 as compared to the average year-on-year growth during 2017-2019. The market is projected to grow from USD 2.37 billion in 2021 to reach USD 3.59 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 6.1% during the 2021-2028 period. The sudden rise in CAGR is attributable to this market’s demand and growth, returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

Significant growth in the infrastructural development attributed to the increased government spending on construction projects will propel the U.S. geosynthetics market growth. The growing infrastructure spending on account of the rise in public construction developments, including roadways, bridges, harbors, rails, and airports, will boost the industry's growth. Also, increasing applications in erosion control, drainage system, mining, pavement, wall retention, and others shall bolster the market growth.

COVID-19 Pandemic Halted the Construction Activities Owing to Disruption in Supply Chain

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the country had announced a restriction on supply, distribution, and finished goods and raw materials transportation, which affected the value chain of the market. With the lockdown and regulations throughout the U.S., the ongoing construction projects of the numerous companies were affected as they had to put a pause on the activities, thus losing workers and decline in revenue generation. Mostly the investors are uncertain about investing in new construction projects due to the economic mayhem.

In the wake of COVID-19, prices of crude oil slumped, entering into the negative territory. The excess supply of crude oil due to a collapse in demand led to a shortage in storage capacities. This negatively affected the pricing of plastics.

U.S. GEOSYNTHETICS MARKET TRENDS

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Geogrid Composite Reinforcement for Long-term Pothole Prevention May Create Opportunities in the U.S. Geosynthetics Industry

Road surface instability and damage usually result in poor soil conditions, weathering effects, poor drainage, surface age, and increased traffic weight. However, the high weight of the vehicle and axle loads of traffic can cause cracking. In light of road safety and cost issues, cracking in asphalt pavements is considered one of the biggest issues primarily faced by highway maintenance engineers. Most engineers are focusing on using long-term and more effective repair geosynthetic materials such as reinforced geogrids.

The benefits of installing a geosynthetic interlayer between old pavement and new overlay include saving thickness, delaying the reflective cracks appearance, pavement waterproofing, saving on material cost, reducing environmental impact associated with longer maintenance intervals, and adding resistance fatigue cracking. Asphalt is compacted and confined above and within the geogrid, thus reducing both lateral and vertical movement. A composite sandwich layer with a reinforcement grid enables more efficiency in transferring the load onto underlying layers.

U.S. GEOSYNTHETICS MARKET GROWTH FACTORS

Increasing Demand from Construction Industry to Boost Market for the U.S. Geosynthetics

The increasing government spending on infrastructure projects such as dams, bridges, airports, roadways, rails, and others shall foster the construction market growth. The United States construction market is the largest economic contributor. For example, in March 2021, President Biden announced an over USD 2 trillion infrastructure package to revitalize the U.S. water systems, transportation infrastructure, manufacturing, clean energies, and other public services. Also, in April 2021, the U.S. Senate Republicans unveiled a USD 568 billion infrastructure proposal, where the funding includes USD 299 billion for roads & bridges and USD 61 billion for public transit.

Geosynthetic materials are utilized in several construction activities to enhance drainage, control evaporation, limit erosion, and strengthen infrastructure to promote the structure's safety and longevity. Several functions of geosynthetics in civil engineering and construction include erosion control blanket to protect slope at the top, avoid erosion, basal reinforcement to support the soil reinforcement structure, and filtration behind all hydraulic systems.

Pavement maintenance is often ineffective due to its inability to treat the cause of the problems and renew the existing pavement condition. The main cause of pavement distress is that they are permeable, with 30% to 50% precipitation surface water infiltrating through the pavement, weakening and softening the pavement subgrade and base, and accelerating pavement degradation. Hence, for safeguarding roads and pavements, geosynthetic materials are mostly preferred as they are cost-effective tools.

Geosynthetics are used in temporary roads to reduce the gravel surface's rutting and decrease the amount of gravel required to support the traffic. Also, the product helps to maintain the aggregate thickness over the life of the temporary road. For permanent road construction, a temporary working platform can be constructed to provide an improved roadbed using geogrid reinforcements with an aggregate layer to provide a form of mechanical stabilization.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Raw Materials Volatility May Hinder the Market Growth

The raw material used for manufacturing expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam is polystyrene polymer. The material is vulnerable to petroleum prices due to the use of resins in making geofoam material that is a petroleum byproduct.

The raw materials used for manufacturing geotextiles include natural fibers like jute and coir and synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, polyester, and polyethylene. Change in the demand and supply of such raw materials is likely to adversely affect the industry outlook. However, synthetic materials are mined from crude oil.

Thus, fluctuations in the crude oil or petroleum prices can significantly affect the United States geosynthetics market and act as a restraining factor for industry growth. 

U.S. GEOSYNTHETICS MARKET SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS

By Product Analysis

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Externally Threaded Fasteners to Gain Impetus During the Forecast Period

Based on product, the market is classified into geotextiles, geomembranes, geogrids, geonets, geocells, geofoams, geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs), and geocomposites.

The geotextiles segment held the largest share in the market in 2020 and may continue its dominance during the forecast period. Increasing product usage in construction applications such as roads, railroads, landfills, drainage, and harbors to enhance soil stabilization shall anticipate market growth. Geotextiles are generally used to improve the soil over which roads, embankments, pipelines, and earth retaining structures are built.

Increasing awareness towards the functional advantages of the product over traditional materials such as flexibility, high tensile strength permeability, and superior load-bearing capacity has increased the geotextile penetration in soil erosion, road construction, waste management, and pavement repair applications. In the agriculture industry, geotextile is used in agriculture farm ponds, the lining of ditches, and water harvesting catchments. Moreover, textile linings protect groundwater, soils, and surface waters for storage and are being polluted by animal waste. Geotextile fabrics are also used as cover to protect from soil erosion and weed growth. This is expected to contribute to the growth of the segment during the forecast period.

The expansion of the construction industry and the increasing number of construction activities will accelerate the geogrid market on account of its properties, such as ease in handling, environmental safety, and high tensile strength. Geogrid is used mainly to construct walls, reinforced bridges, steep slopes, foundations, and roadway bases. The product is used in permanently paved roadways to improve the load-bearing capacity of the pavement.

Geofoams may witness a significant growth rate during the forecast period. EPS geofoams are used in infrastructure projects. They are lightweight, consistent, have superior compressive strength, and help improve roadways construction and civil engineering applications, including bid fill, retaining structures, and embankments. They are mainly used in applications such as new highway and road construction, temporary road construction, bridge abutments, landslide areas with weak soil, artificial landscapes, retaining walls, railway track systems, and airfield pavements.

Geomembrane materials are used to enhance, modify, or improve the behavior of various civil engineering works. Growing construction activities coupled with rising applications in erosion control, landfills, separation, and filtration drive the segment demand. Government spending on R&D and rapid technological advancement is likely to boost market growth. Growing consciousness towards increasing carbon emissions and increasing consumer health and environmental concerns may increase the demand for green infrastructure. Strict government mandates implemented regarding the waste management practices in industrial and municipal areas may stimulate the geomembranes segment.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Companies are Engaged in Product Innovation and Acquisition that Remains the Key to Market Entry Stratagem

The U.S. geosynthetics market share is moderately fragmented. Key players are engaged in acquisition and capacity expansion to augment their product portfolio to gain a competitive edge in the market and magnify their presence locally and internationally.

Companies focus on improving product characteristics, including permeability and flexibility, with an upsurge in producing cost-effective and robust products. To build competitiveness, companies are increasing their existing product offerings in the regional market.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED IN U.S. GEOSYNTHETICS MARKET:

• GSE Environmental (Texas, U.S.)


• Texel Technical Materials, Inc. (Québec, Canada)


• SKAPS Industries (Georgia, U.S.)


• Fibertex Nonwovens A/S (Aalborg, Denmark)


• Tensar International Corporation (Georgia, U.S.)


• HUESKER (Gescher, Germany)


• Strata Systems, Inc. (North Carolina, U.S.)


• AGRU AMERICA, INC (South Carolina, U.S.)


• Berry Global, Inc. (Indiana, U.S.)


• Owens Corning (Ohio, U.S.)


• Nilex Inc. (Alberta, Canada)


• Maccaferri Inc. (Bologna, Italy)


• Other Key Players

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• June 2019 - Ferguson Enterprises acquired Action Plumbing Supply and Innovative Soil Solutions to expand erosion control capabilities and geotextile business in the U.S.


• October 2018 - TenCate Geosynthetics Americas expanded its nonwoven production of geotextiles line at its Jefferson, GA facility. The production line is expected to manufacture advanced polyester and polypropylene products.

REPORT COVERAGE

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

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