by Shane Henson — March 20, 2013—Green construction is moving from a niche to the mainstream, propelled by regulatory instruments, governmental initiatives and financial support mechanisms, together with growing consumer awareness and expectations, according to Green Building Materials, a new report released by The Freedonia Group.
Through 2017, a rebound in construction activity, combined with continuing consumer interest in environmentally friendly products, will propel U.S. growth in green building materials demand 11 percent annually to $86.6 billion, says The Freedonia Group, an international business research company.
Per the report, U.S. construction activity declined sharply during much of the 2007-2012 period, but demand for green building materials held its own, boosted by consumer interest in products that could reduce utility bills or promote environmentally friendly construction practices. For example, recycled concrete, ENERGY STAR-compliant heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and permeable pavements are forecast to register above-average gains through 2017.
According to the report, green structural building product demand will be driven by increasing use of recycled concrete, as concrete made with fly ash and other additives features superior performance properties and is less costly than concrete made solely from cement and aggregates. Demand for green building systems will be fueled by strong residential demand for ENERGY STAR-compliant HVAC systems that lower utility bills. Permeable pavement demand will be supported by interest in reducing water runoff and minimizing strains on older sewer and water systems.
For the report, The Freedonia Group conducted a study that analyzed the $51.8 billion U.S. green building material industry. The report presents historical demand data for the years 2002, 2007 and 2012, and forecasts for 2017 and 2022 by product (e.g., exterior products, interior products, building systems, solar power products, structural products, permeable pavement), market (e.g., residential buildings, nonresidential buildings) and U.S. region.
