Polycarboxylate Ether Market Report 2026

The polycarboxylate ether market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $12.54 billion in 2025 to $13.34 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to urbanization and construction growth, adoption of modern concrete admixtures, demand for durable infrastructure, increase in high rise buildings, advancement in cement chemistry.

The polycarboxylate ether market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $17.06 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growth in smart city projects, expansion of transportation infrastructure, rising demand for sustainable construction materials, increased use of precast concrete, stricter building performance standards. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for high strength concrete, growing adoption in infrastructure projects, increased use in self compacting concrete, expansion in ready mix concrete applications, focus on reduced water cement ratios.

The growing demand from the construction industry is projected to drive the growth of the polycarboxylate ether market in the coming years. The construction industry encompasses the economic sector dedicated to the design, building, and maintenance of various structures, including residential, commercial, and industrial facilities. This demand is increasing due to rapid urbanization, which heightens the need for housing and infrastructure, as well as significant government investments in infrastructure development. Polycarboxylate ether (PCE) serves the construction industry effectively as a high-performance superplasticizer, improving the workability of concrete while minimizing water content. For example, in May 2024, the Office for National Statistics, a UK government department, reported a 15.9% rise in total new construction orders, reaching £1.43 billion ($1,913 million) in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Consequently, the growing demand from the construction sector is driving the polycarboxylate ether market.

Key players in the polycarboxylate ether market are concentrating on creating innovative solutions such as bio-sourced admixtures to address rising sustainability demands and enhance performance in construction applications. Bio-sourced admixtures are construction additives derived from renewable biological materials that improve sustainability and performance while reducing the environmental impact of concrete and other building materials. For instance, in January 2023, CEMEX S.A.B. de C.V., a Mexico-based building materials company, introduced a groundbreaking range of bio-sourced admixtures aimed at significantly lowering the carbon footprint of concrete by up to 70% compared to conventional oil-based admixtures. This new line, which includes concrete plasticizers, superplasticizers, and grinding aids, employs natural, renewable, and locally sourced raw materials to enhance performance while minimizing environmental harm. These bio-sourced admixtures are part of CEMEX's Vertua portfolio of sustainable building solutions and are expected to be launched across Europe.

In June 2024, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A., a France-based manufacturing company, acquired FOSROC for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to bolster Saint-Gobain's global footprint in construction chemicals, particularly in high-growth regions such as India and the Middle East, while leveraging synergies to enhance operational efficiencies and create value for both shareholders and customers. FOSROC is a UK-based manufacturer specializing in construction chemicals, including polycarboxylate ethers.

Major companies operating in the polycarboxylate ether market are BASF SE, Dow Chemical Company, Evonik Industries AG, Arkema SA, Kao Corporation, Sika AG, Nouryon, Sobute New Materials Co. Ltd., Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd, Liaoning Oxiranchem Inc, Mapei S.p.A., Euclid Chemical, Chembond Chemicals Ltd, Hangzhou Lans Concrete Admixture Inc, MUHU (China) Construction Materials Co. Ltd, Sodamco-Weber, Sintez OKA Group, Sakshi Chem Sciences, Kashyap Industries, Hi-Bond Chem Pvt. Ltd, Shijiazhuang Chang'An Yucai Building Material Co. Ltd, Sure Chemical Co. Ltd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the polycarboxylate ether (PCE) market in 2025. The regions covered in the polycarboxylate ether market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the polycarboxylate ether market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The polycarboxylate ether market consists of sales of concrete admixtures, high-performance concrete, ready-mix concrete, and self-compacting concrete (SCC). Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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