US solid surface & other cast polymer materials market to grow at 5.3% pa till 2016

08-May-12

Demand for cast polymers is expected to increase at a rate of 5.3% per year to reach 248 mln sq ft by 2016, as per a report by Reportlinker.com. The driving factor for this growth will be a sharp increase in housing completions. The residential improvement and repair segment will maintain its largest share in cast polymer demand. The revival in the nonresidential construction spending market will also help in increasing cast polymer demand. Engineered stone will play a major role in the demand for cast polymer materials through 2016. Its resemblance to advanced natural stone, high reliability, and different color options will continue to increase interest among residential consumers. Solid surface materials will maintain its dominance in the cast polymer demand, representing 41% share of the cast polymer market in 2016. Although solid surface materials are cost advantageous, growing competition from engineered stone and natural stone will pose a challenge to their growth. Most consumers recognize that solid surface is inferior in aesthetics and performance over stone. Gel-coated composite demand is expected to grow due to the increase in use of the material in nonresidential building construction applications. The report predicts that the countertop market will represent 86% share of cast polymer demand in 2016 as builders prefer cast polymer countertops over tiles or laminates. However, the residential improvement and repair segment will maintain a largest share in the cast polymer countertop demand.