US demand for "green" building materials rising

The US market for "green" building material is expected to rise +7.2% annually to over US$ 80 billion in 2013, according to the latest report by market research company the Freedonia Group.

The report - Green Building Materials - said the market was worth about US$ 57 billion in 2008 with growth to 2013 being driven, primarily, by a recovery of the residential market.

The biggest gains will come from green floor coverings, including Green Label Plus-certified carpets and products made from rapidly renewable resources such as bamboo and cork flooring. Demand is expected to rise from US$ 22.2 billion in 2008 to US$ 29.1 billion in 2013, a rise of +13.4%.

Concrete made from recycled materials - fly ash, blast furnace slag - had the second largest share of green building materials demand in 2008, accounting for over 15% of the market total. The use of recycled materials in concrete not only reduces the volume of waste sent to landfills, but often enhances the performance of the concrete.

Demand for concrete made from recycled materials will grow +8.4% per year to US$ 14.3 billion in 2013.

The fastest growing green products are expected to be Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified lumber and wood panels, although both are rising from low bases, said the report.

Other products expected to see fast growth include water-efficient plumbing fixtures and fittings, and energy-efficient lighting fixtures, which double digit growth until 2013 according to the report.

For more information on this report visit: www.freedoniagroup.com.