세계의 경량 건축자재 시장 규모는 2024년 1,983억 4,000만 달러였고, 예측 기간 중 CAGR 8.86%를 나타낼 전망이며, 2030년까지 3,330억 5,000만 달러에 달할 것으로 예측되고 있습니다.
| 시장 개요 | |
|---|---|
| 예측 기간 | 2026-2030년 |
| 시장 규모 : 2024년 | 1,983억 4,000만 달러 |
| 시장 규모 : 2030년 | 3,330억 5,000만 달러 |
| CAGR : 2025-2030년 | 8.86% |
| 급성장 부문 | 경량 골재 |
| 최대 시장 | 아시아태평양 |
경량 건축자재 시장이란 구조강도, 단열성, 내구성을 갖추면서 기존 재료에 비해 크게 경량화된 건설자재의 생산과 공급에 초점을 맞춘 업계를 말합니다. 이러한 재료에는 기포 콘크리트, 경량 골재, 금속 합금, 단열 패널, 플라스틱 복합재료, 목재 기반 패널 등이 포함됩니다. 이러한 재료는 주택, 상업, 산업, 인프라 프로젝트 등 광범위한 건설 응용 분야에 사용됩니다. 경량 건축자재를 사용하는 주요 목적은 안전성과 성능을 저하시키지 않고 건물 전체의 고정 하중을 줄이고 에너지 효율을 향상시키고 운송 비용을 낮추고 건설 프로세스를 가속화하는 것입니다.
이 시장은 세계적으로 지속 가능하고 환경을 배려한 건설 관행이 중시되게 된 것을 주요 요인으로 향후 수년간 대폭적인 성장이 예상됩니다. 도시화의 진전과 인프라 개발 프로젝트 증가에 따라, 보다 신속하고 안전하며 비용 효율적인 건축 공법을 지원하는 재료에 대한 수요가 높아지고 있습니다. 경량 재료는 우수한 단열 특성을 가지므로 에너지 효율적인 건물이나 현대 환경 기준에 적합한 구조물에 이상적입니다. 친환경 건설자재 채용을 장려하는 정부의 규제는 시장 확대를 더욱 강화하고 있습니다.
게다가 중국, 인도, 동남아시아 국가 등 신흥경제권에서 건설산업의 급성장은 시장관계자들에게 큰 기회를 가져왔습니다. 이 지역에서는 적당한 주택, 상업 인프라, 스마트 시티에 많은 투자를 하고 있으며, 적응성, 설치 용이성, 구조적 부담의 경감 등 모두 경량 재료의 사용이 지지되고 있습니다. 또한 재료과학의 기술적 진보로 고성능 복합재료와 혁신적인 제조방법의 개발이 가능해 경량재료의 범위와 용도가 확대되고 있습니다.
주요 시장 성장 촉진요인
도시화의 진전과 인프라 개발
경량 건축자재 시장은 도시 인구 증가와 현대 도시, 교통망, 집합 주택에 대한 정부 투자에 의한 급속한 도시화와 세계 인프라 정비의 급증으로 큰 성장을 이루고 있습니다. 자동 기포 콘크리트(AAC), 경량 골재, 인공 목재 등의 경량 재료는 우수한 강도 대 중량비를 제공하여 건축물의 신속한 건설, 구조 하중 감소, 에너지 효율 향상을 가능하게 합니다. 아시아태평양과 아프리카를 중심으로 한 신흥국에서는 전례없는 도시로의 이주가 진행되고 있으며, 인도, 나이지리아, 인도네시아 등의 국가에서는 저렴한 주택과 스마트 시티 프로젝트가 우선적으로 진행되고 있습니다.
이러한 노력은 내구성을 유지하면서 건설 비용과 공사 기간을 줄이는 재료가 필요하며 경량 재료가 매우 요구되고 있습니다. 경량 재료는 기초 요건을 최소화하고 개조 프로세스를 용이하게 하기 위해서입니다.
게다가, 조립식 구조에 경량 소재를 짜넣는 것으로, 재해가 많은 지역에의 신속한 배치가 가능하게 되어, 주택 부족에 효율적으로 대처할 수 있습니다. 예측되는 세계의 도시 인구 증가에 대응하기 위해, 정부와 민간 섹터가 도시 인프라에 다액의 투자를 실시하는 중, 경량 건축 재료 시장은 근대적인 건설 패러다임에 있어서 중요한 역할을 원동력으로, 지속적인 확대가 예상됩니다.
유엔은 세계 도시 인구가 2020년 44억명에서 2050년에는 67억명에 이르며, 도시 인프라 수요가 60% 증가할 것으로 예측했습니다. 2024년 세계의 건설지출은 11조 2,000억 달러에 달했고, AAC나 인공 목재 등의 경량 소재는 재료비의 약 15%를 차지하고, 건설에 사용되는 경량 소재는 연간 약 12억 톤에 상당합니다.
높은 초기 비용과 제한된 비용 경쟁성
그린 빌딩 기준과 지속가능한 건설 채용 증가
Global Lightweight Building Materials Market was valued at USD 198.34 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 333.05 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 8.86% during the forecast period.
| Market Overview | |
|---|---|
| Forecast Period | 2026-2030 |
| Market Size 2024 | USD 198.34 Billion |
| Market Size 2030 | USD 333.05 Billion |
| CAGR 2025-2030 | 8.86% |
| Fastest Growing Segment | Lightweight Aggregates |
| Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
The Lightweight Building Materials Market refers to the industry focused on producing and supplying construction materials that are significantly lighter in weight compared to traditional materials, while still offering structural strength, thermal insulation, and durability. These materials include aerated concrete, lightweight aggregates, metal alloys, insulation panels, plastic composites, and wood-based panels. They are used across a wide range of construction applications, including residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects. The primary objective of using lightweight building materials is to reduce the overall dead load of buildings, improve energy efficiency, lower transportation costs, and speed up construction processes without compromising safety or performance.
The market is expected to witness substantial growth in the coming years, primarily driven by the increasing emphasis on sustainable and green construction practices globally. With growing urbanization and the rising number of infrastructure development projects, there is a heightened demand for materials that can support faster, safer, and more cost-efficient building methods. Lightweight materials offer superior insulation properties, which make them ideal for energy-efficient buildings and structures complying with modern environmental standards. Government regulations encouraging the adoption of environmentally friendly construction materials further support the market's expansion.
Additionally, the rapid growth of the construction industry in emerging economies such as China, India, and Southeast Asian countries is creating significant opportunities for market players. These regions are investing heavily in affordable housing, commercial infrastructure, and smart cities, all of which favor the use of lightweight materials due to their adaptability, ease of installation, and reduced structural burden. Moreover, technological advancements in material science are enabling the development of high-performance composites and innovative fabrication methods, expanding the scope and applications of lightweight materials.
Key Market Drivers.
Rising Urbanization and Infrastructure Development
The Lightweight Building Materials Market is experiencing significant growth due to rapid urbanization and the global surge in infrastructure development, driven by increasing urban populations and government investments in modern cities, transportation networks, and residential complexes. Lightweight materials, such as autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC), lightweight aggregates, and engineered wood, offer superior strength-to-weight ratios, enabling faster construction, reduced structural loads, and enhanced energy efficiency in buildings. Emerging economies, particularly in Asia-Pacific and Africa, are witnessing unprecedented urban migration, with countries like India, Nigeria, and Indonesia prioritizing affordable housing and smart city projects.
These initiatives require materials that reduce construction costs and timelines while maintaining durability, making lightweight materials highly sought after. In developed nations, the retrofitting of aging infrastructure, such as bridges and public buildings, further fuels demand, as lightweight materials minimize foundation requirements and ease retrofitting processes. The versatility of these materials, including their use in high-rise buildings and modular construction, aligns with the global trend toward sustainable urban planning.
Additionally, the integration of lightweight materials in prefabricated structures supports rapid deployment in disaster-prone regions, addressing housing shortages efficiently. As governments and private sectors invest heavily in urban infrastructure to accommodate a projected global urban population growth, the Lightweight Building Materials Market is poised for sustained expansion, driven by its critical role in modern construction paradigms.
The United Nations estimates the global urban population will reach 6.7 billion by 2050, up from 4.4 billion in 2020, driving a 60% increase in urban infrastructure demand. In 2024, global construction spending reached USD11.2 trillion, with lightweight materials like AAC and engineered wood accounting for approximately 15% of material costs, equating to roughly 1.2 billion tons of lightweight materials used annually in construction.
Key Market Challenges
High Initial Costs and Limited Cost Competitiveness
A primary obstacle for lightweight building materials is their elevated upfront costs compared to conventional materials like brick, steel, and concrete. Advanced lightweight solutions-such as aerated concrete, high-performance composites, and engineered wood panels-require specialized raw materials and intensive manufacturing processes, which translate into higher production expenses. For example, aerated autoclaved concrete demands autoclaving and curing infrastructure, while polymer-based panels often rely on feedstocks derived from petroleum, linking prices to oil-price volatility.
This cost disadvantage can be prohibitive for price-sensitive builders and developers, especially in emerging economies where budgets are tighter. Although lifecycle benefits-such as reduced transport costs, faster project timelines, and enhanced energy efficiency-are real, they may not outweigh the immediate capital outlay required for many construction firms. This creates a market dynamic where higher upfront investment delays adoption, particularly when return-on-investment horizons are unclear or when financing options are limited. As a result, the market faces a paradox: while lightweight materials offer long-term value, their initial cost barrier limits penetration. Overcoming this challenge requires manufacturers to drive down production expenses through economies of scale and innovation, while also helping clients see the total cost of ownership advantage via education and incentives.
Key Market Trends
Rising Adoption of Green Building Standards and Sustainable Construction
The global construction industry is experiencing a fundamental shift toward sustainability, and the Lightweight Building Materials Market is benefiting directly from this trend. Governments, developers, and consumers are increasingly embracing environmentally responsible building practices, fueled by stricter regulations, rising energy costs, and growing awareness of climate change. Lightweight building materials such as aerated concrete, structural insulation panels, composite wood, and recycled plastics are gaining prominence due to their lower carbon footprint and high energy efficiency compared to traditional materials like concrete and steel.
Green building certification systems-such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, and the WELL Building Standard-are incentivizing the use of materials that reduce energy consumption, improve thermal insulation, and minimize environmental degradation. Lightweight materials play a critical role in this movement as they reduce the load on structural systems, lower transportation emissions, and often incorporate recycled content or renewable raw materials.
Moreover, developers are increasingly choosing lightweight materials for their compatibility with modern construction techniques, such as modular and prefabricated construction. These methods align with sustainable construction principles by minimizing waste, improving speed, and reducing resource consumption on-site. As a result, the convergence of sustainability and innovation is accelerating the adoption of lightweight building materials, positioning them as essential components in the construction of future-ready buildings.
Looking ahead, as regulatory frameworks around the world become more aggressive in enforcing energy-efficiency standards and environmental compliance, the market demand for sustainable lightweight materials is expected to rise significantly. Manufacturers that invest in life-cycle analysis, environmental product declarations, and eco-friendly certifications will be better positioned to capture new opportunities. This trend reflects not just a preference for lighter alternatives, but a broader paradigm shift in how materials are selected to meet performance, environmental, and economic goals simultaneously.
In this report, the Global Lightweight Building Materials Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:
Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Lightweight Building Materials Market.
Global Lightweight Building Materials Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report: