Trends and opportunities shaping the construction industry in 2025-26

The global construction chemicals industry is predicted to grow 5% between 2024 and 2032.¹

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to contribute the greatest amount of market growth. Major government investments in infrastructure and real estate across China, India, Japan, and other areas will drive growth in this region.²

Increased globalisation, urbanisation, population expansion, and economic development contribute to growth in this market.³ These changes are generating demand for residential, commercial, and industrial spaces. Additionally, consumers have increased renovation and remodelling activities to reflect changing lifestyle dynamics and preferences.

The impact of data throughout the construction process will also contribute to market growth and improved sustainability. The emergence and increased adoption of new technologies, such as building information modelling (BIM), digital strategies, generative design and artificial intelligence (AI), will help reduce waste and increase efficiency in many phases of construction.³

Cement production is an energy-intensive activity, representing 8% of the global emissions.⁴ As such, the industry is shifting away from traditional Cem I cement and exploring alternatives like Cem II and Cem III, which offer reduced carbon footprints. Beyond material innovation, energy-efficient construction practices are becoming increasingly critical. Environmental regulations and customer demands for greener buildings are pushing construction companies to evolve.⁵

Buildings account for 30% of global energy consumption and 26% of global energy-related emissions. To align with the International Energy Agency’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario, all new buildings and 20% of existing structures must be zero-carbonready by 2030.⁶

Within the renovation space, the top consumer trend is sustainable design choices related to cost-saving and energy-efficient options.² A commitment to renovation and reuse helps save 50% to 75% of the embodied carbon emissions compared to new construction.³ In a nod to the Green & Circular and Healthy Future megatrends, sustainable construction methods will play a role in the industry’s focus on energy efficiency and lowering emissions. Efficiency is a priority as the industry works to create structures that minimise resource usage while optimising operational performance. While sustainable construction methods require increased upfront costs, they can be offset over time in reduced life-cycle costs.⁴

A. The industry is moving towards reducing clinker content to reduce CO₂ emissions, creating a need for additives that can close the performance gap. Research shows promise for recycled materials, but widespread commercial use is limited due to challenges such as high absorption properties. There is also an increased focus on creating safer formulations and “label-free” products. Reducing harmful materials in production can lead to safer processes, with larger safety windows during production processes and application. 

A. Clinker reduction in dry-mix formulations is already a significant trend within the Green & Circular megatrend. Improving the durability of products will play a critical role in extending product life cycles and minimising material waste. As part of promoting a healthy future, waterproofing solutions will significantly enhance building durability and protect structural integrity. There is also growing momentum towards removing hazardous substances from formulations. For example, bitumen-based waterproofing materials are being replaced with water- or powder-based formulations that sometimes contain mass balance materials.

A. Sustainability in the construction industry is a long-term effort. This is a sector that moves at a slower pace, keeping safety and durability as its main focus. Developed countries will likely see stricter sustainability regulations that will generate challenges for formulators to create high-quality products in the short term, so there is still significant room for innovation and improvement in this area.