Market Highlights
Geosynthetics are planar products manufactured from a durable polyethylene or polypropylene polymer material. They have become a rapidly growing necessity and indispensable economical solution for improving the efficiency and cost of terrain stabilization. High-performance geosynthetics serve various functions along with offering quick installation and economic value, making them an excellent solution for application in soil, rock, earth, or other geotechnical engineering-related applications as integral parts of man-made projects or structures.
The European geosynthetics market was valued at over 950 million square meters (sqm) in 2022, registering a massive decline of >15% from its 2021 market value. The construction industry’s grave downfall in 2022, mainly impacted the demand for geosynthetics. Some key factors fueling the geosynthetics demand in the European region are the commencement of a large number of road infrastructure projects in 2023, increasing investments toward the development of rail and drainage infrastructures, ambitious tunneling projects across the region, and a rising need for green infrastructure and carbon footprint reduction.
Recent Product Developments: Key focus areas for leading players include UV radiation protection, high tensile strength, and chemical resistance in product development.
- In 2020, Sioen Industries introduced Sioline E15 geomembranes, combining high-tensile strength and chemical resistance for optimal performance against temperature variations.
- In 2021, Tensar unveiled InterAx geogrids, redefining infrastructure resilience with three geometric aperture shapes, setting a new performance standard for stable, durable foundations capable of withstanding heavy loads and variable conditions.
Recent Market JVs and Acquisitions: Leading players, BontexGeo, Sioen Industries, and Solmax, have been engaged in several M&A activities in the past few years to gain market share and strengthen their position in the market.
BontexGeo:
- 2019: Nimbus acquired BontexGeo (Low and Bonar, Civil)
- 2021: BontexGeo acquired ABG Ltd., Terageos SA, and Stratex SA
- 2022: BontexGeo acquired Geotexan S.A
Solmax:
- 2017: Solmax acquired GSE International (USA)
- 2021: Solmax acquired Tencate Geosynthetics and Propex (USA)
Sioen Industries:
- 2016: Sioen acquired Manifattura Fontana
- 2017: Sioen acquired James Dewhurst
- 2021: Sihold acquired Sioen Industries (97.71% share)
Market Segment Analysis
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Segmentations
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List of Sub-Segments
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Dominant and Fastest-Growing Segments
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Application-Type Analysis
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Roads, Trafficked Areas, and Asphalt Reinforcement, Railways, Tunnels & Underground Structures, Earthworks, Foundation, and Retaining Walls, Solid Water Disposal, Drainage System, Erosion Control Works, Reservoirs and Dams, Canals, Liquid Waste Containment, and Others
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The roads, trafficked areas, and asphalt reinforcement segment are anticipated to remain the biggest demand generator for geosynthetics in the years to come.
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Function-Type Analysis
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Separation & Filtration, Protection, Reinforcement, Drainage, and Interlayer Barrier and Stress Relief
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Separation & filtration took the throne among the function types and is expected to remain dominant during the forecast period as well.
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Technology-Type Analysis
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Woven, Nonwoven, Grids, and Composites
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Non-woven geosynthetics are likely to maintain their lead in the European region in years to come.
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Material-Type Analysis
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Polyethylene, Polypropylene, and Others
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Polypropylene is anticipated to remain the most widely used material in the market till 2028.
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Sub-Regional Analysis
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Eastern Europe and Western Europe
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Western Europe is expected to remain the larger market over the next five years, whereas Eastern Europe is likely to grow at a faster rate during the same period.
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Based on the application type, the European geosynthetics market is segmented into roads, trafficked areas, and asphalt reinforcement; railways; tunnels & underground structures; earthworks, foundation, and retaining walls; solid water disposal; drainage systems; erosion control works, reservoirs, and dams; canals; liquid waste containment; and others. Roads, trafficked areas, and asphalt reinforcement dominate the application type segment by both, value and volume, while drainage systems are expected to witness the fastest growth during 2023-2028. The use of geosynthetics in roads, trafficked areas, and asphalt reinforcement is predominantly for drainage and separation purposes. Geosynthetics in road engineering serve various purposes, including forming drainage structures, separating layers, preventing irregular settlements, waterproofing, and reinforcing road infrastructure & superstructure layers. Geosynthetics are used for filtration purposes in drainage channels, producing continuous polyethylene threads that improve filtering effectiveness.
Based on the function type, the market is segmented into separation & filtration, protection, reinforcement, drainage, and interlayer barrier and stress relief. Separation & filtration is expected to remain the dominant function type in the market during the forecast period, driven by the critical role of geosynthetics in soil stabilization, erosion prevention, and environmental protection. The accelerated growth of the drainage segment is propelled by the increasing demand for advanced water management solutions in construction projects.
In terms of technology, the market is segmented into woven, non-woven, grids, and composites. Non-woven geosynthetics hold a clear dominance in the market owing to their usage in large-scale infrastructure development. Non-woven geosynthetics exhibit higher versatility when compared to their counterparts, with usage in a variety of applications. Woven and non-woven geosynthetics are mainly employed for road applications, grids for earthworks, foundation, and retaining walls, and composites for drainage systems. Woven and nonwoven geosynthetics are mainly used for separation and filtration in road applications. Grids are used for reinforcement, and composites for drainage applications.
In terms of sub-regions, Western Europe is expected to remain the larger market during the forecast period. There exists a commitment to environmental sustainability and adherence to stringent regulations which, in turn, drive the demand for geosynthetics in soil stabilization, erosion control, and waste management applications in the sub-region. Naue GmBH has executed some large-scale projects in Germany. Eastern Europe is projected to experience a surge in demand, owing to increased infrastructure development, including roads, bridges, and other civil engineering projects within the sub-region.
Key Players
The overall competitive landscape of the market is moderate, attributed to a high level of consolidation over the years and the strong regional presence of global players. Huge presence of regional players in the market with a comprehensive range of products that cater to various applications within the industry. The following are the key players in the European Geosynthetics market.
- Sioen Industries NV
- BontexGeo NV
- Solmax International, Inc. (Solmax EU)
- Geo&Tex 2000 Spa
- Thrace Group
- Beaulieu Fibres International NV
Research Methodology
This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s European geosynthetics market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period. The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for the market participants as well as investors in the identification of the low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as to formulate the growth strategies to expedite their growth process.
This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with Stratview Research’s internal database and statistical tools. More than 1,000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data. We conducted more than 15 detailed primary interviews with the market players across the value chain in Europe and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.
Report Features
This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:
- Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis
- Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis
- Market trend and forecast analysis
- Market segment trend and forecast
- Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, Product portfolio, New Product Launches, etc.
- COVID-19 impact and its recovery curve
- Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities
- Emerging trends
- Strategic growth opportunities for existing and new players
- Key success factors
The European geosynthetics market is segmented into the following categories.
European Geosynthetics Market, by Application Type
- Roads, Trafficked Areas, and Asphalt Reinforcement
- Railways
- Tunnels & Underground Structures
- Earthworks, Foundation, and Retaining Walls
- Solid Water Disposal
- Drainage System
- Erosion Control Works
- Reservoirs & Dams
- Canals
- Liquid Waste Containment
- Others
European Geosynthetics Market, by Function Type
- Separation & Filtration
- Protection
- Reinforcement
- Drainage
- Interlayer Barrier and Stress Relief
European Geosynthetics Market, by Technology Type
- Woven
- Nonwoven
- Grid
- Composites
European Geosynthetics Market, by Material Type
- Polyethylene
- Polypropylene
- Others
European Geosynthetics Market, by Sub-Region
- Western Europe
- Eastern Europe
Report Customization Options
With this detailed report, Stratview Research offers one of the following free customization options to our respectable clients:
Company Profiling
- Detailed profiling of additional market players (up to three players)
- SWOT analysis of key players (up to three players)
Competitive Benchmarking
- Benchmarking of key players on the following parameters: Product portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances
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