Translucent Concrete Market

The global market for translucent concrete had a value of USD 1.7 million in 2020 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 47.6% from 2023 to 2030. The increasing adoption of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly building materials, particularly in developed economies, is expected to drive market growth. Translucent concrete blocks enable the construction of solid, insulating walls that allow the passage of natural daylight, resulting in reduced reliance on inefficient windows and electric lighting. This leads to cost savings, energy efficiency, and lower emissions.

Translucent concrete is an emerging material that supports the growing trend of energy-efficient buildings in North America, particularly in the United States. Many advanced building structures in the U.S. are incorporating translucent concrete, contributing to market growth. Extensive research and development in concrete materials to enhance quality, illumination, and economic value in construction also have a positive impact on the industry. The use of translucent concrete in wall cladding, roofing, flooring, and other applications as a light-emitting source provides growth opportunities.

Different types of precast translucent concrete products are available in the market, allowing the construction of tall wall cladding and roofing with light-emitting properties. These products can also be used as partition walls, panels, doors, and facades in various buildings and architectural monuments.

However, there are limitations to the use of translucent concrete in large projects. The cost of production is higher compared to traditional concrete due to the use of expensive optical fibers as raw materials. Moreover, the infusion of optical fibers into the concrete requires a high level of expertise, which may restrain market growth.

Raw Material Insights
Concrete is the dominant segment, accounting for over 80.0% of the global revenue in 2020. Fine concrete, composed of cement and sand aggregates, is used in a large volume percentage along with fibers to evenly distribute light. This concrete acts as a building material that allows the transmission of natural and artificial light, resulting in energy conservation during the daytime. Fast-setting cement is used in its production, and the concrete is formed into precast panels and blocks that are polished, colored, and used as required.

Translucent concrete offers various sustainable advantages, but it is more expensive and requires careful handling. Manufacturers such as LUCCON use high-performance or ultra-high-performance concrete with optical fibers, increasing the cost and limiting its field of application.

Optical fibers, on the other hand, constitute a smaller volume percentage in the mixture. These fibers act as channels to transmit light through the blocks or slabs. They are evenly distributed in the concrete, creating shadow outlines. The fibers conduct light from natural or artificial sources at an angle of incidence of more than 60 degrees.

Report Coverage & Deliverables
The report in PDF format and the online dashboard provide the following insights:
• Competitive benchmarking
• Historical data and forecasts
• Company revenue shares
• Regional opportunities
• Latest trends and dynamics

End-use Insights
The non-residential segment dominated the market, accounting for more than 75.0% of the global revenue in 2020. This was due to the extensive use of translucent concrete in large commercial buildings, such as corporate offices, architectural structures, and museums. Furthermore, there is high growth potential for the material in the future, as it is expected to be used in smart lane separators to enhance traffic safety in some regions.

The market has also made significant contributions to the renewable energy sector. For example, in 2018, China unveiled a two-kilometer solar highway in the Shandong province, where photovoltaic cells were covered with a layer of transparent concrete for electricity generation and the induction charging of electric vehicles.

Translucent concrete is commercially used in various other applications, including logos, designs, furniture, electronic devices, and subways where illuminated floors and light-emitting sources are required. For instance, PanUnited Corporation Ltd., a manufacturer of translucent concrete, showcased its illuminating arc bench as a substitute for traditional benches at the Singapore Night festival in 2018.

The residential segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate of 48.4% in terms of revenue during the forecast period. Concrete used in household flooring, pavements, partition walls, and other applications appears normal during the day but emits light in different colors after sunset due to the presence of optical fibers that emit light from various angles.

Application Insights
The wall cladding segment accounted for over 65.0% of the global revenue in 2020, making it the leading application. It is widely used in corporate buildings, architectural monuments, and residential interiors. Translucent concrete used as wall cladding provides interior lighting supported by artificial light at night and natural daylight during the day.

The roofing segment is expected to experience significant growth from 2023 to 2030. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for translucent concrete in residential and commercial buildings. When installed as a roofing panel, the product offers aesthetic appeal and energy-efficient lighting to the interior of offices, homes, and other structures.

The flooring segment is projected to grow at a rate of 50.4% from 2023 to 2030. This can be attributed to the decorative and appealing properties of translucent concrete, such as its lightweight nature and durability, compared to traditional concrete used in flooring. Additionally, the product is used in the construction of pavements, adding beauty to interiors by illuminating specific areas during the day.

Translucent or light-emitting concrete is also used in various other applications, including staircases, reception desks, panels, doors, and light covers. Manufacturers are conducting intensive research and development to produce translucent concrete at a lower cost, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete for use in large residential and non-residential projects.

Regional Insights
Europe was the dominant region in the market, accounting for over 30.0% of the global revenue in 2020. This can be attributed to the presence of several translucent manufacturing companies in the region. Additionally, the implementation of initiatives supporting green building materials is expected to drive high product demand in Europe during the forecast period.

The demand for sustainable and energy-efficient alternatives drives the product demand in Europe, and this trend is expected to continue in the forecast period. The region is also well-served by major translucent concrete manufacturing companies, facilitating product distribution and positively impacting market growth.

The North American market is projected to grow significantly during the forecast period. This growth is driven by increased product demand, especially in the non-residential sector. Changing lifestyles and the need for sustainable lighting for interior decoration in homes are also contributing factors to industry growth in the region.

Asia Pacific and the Middle East and Africa are expected to witness significant growth in demand for light-emitting concrete. This is attributed to the increasing application of translucent concrete as façades in residential and non-residential buildings to enhance their aesthetic appeal. Moreover, these regions receive abundant sunlight, which enhances the light-emitting properties of the material.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights
The market is still in its early stages, and several players are focusing on product development, commercialization, and reducing production costs. Key players in the industry are formulating growth strategies that involve scaling up production levels and expanding their market reach by entering new regions.

The market has relatively low competition due to the limited number of companies involved in translucent concrete manufacturing. Companies operate their businesses through various distribution networks, serving specific consumer bases, particularly in the non-residential or commercial segment, worldwide. Some prominent players in the global translucent concrete market include:
• LUCEM GmbH
• CRE Panel GmbH
• LCT GesmbH
• Fapinex LLC
• Josef Loacker GmbH
• Luccon Lichtbeton GmbH
• Gravelli
• LiTraCon Bt
• Pan-United Corporation Ltd.
• Beton Broz (DITON S.R.O)
• Glass Block Technology Limited
• Florack Bauunternehmung GmbH

Segments Covered in the Report
This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2023 to 2030. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global translucent concrete market report on the basis of raw material, application, end use, and region:

Raw Material Outlook (Revenue, USD Thousand, 2023 - 2030)
• Concrete
• Fibers

Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Thousand, 2023 - 2030)
• Wall Cladding
• Roofing
• Flooring
• Others

End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Thousand, 2023 - 2030)
• Residential
• Non-residential

Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Thousand, 2023 - 2030)
• North America
o U.S.
o Canada
o Mexico
• Europe
o Germany
o U.K.
o Italy
• Asia Pacific
o China
o Japan
o South Korea
• Central & South America
o Brazil
• Middle East & Africa
o Saudi Arabia
o UAE