Brick Products To Increase

Demand for brick and block products is projected to increase nearly 12 percent annually from a weak 2009 base to 12.4 billion units in 2014, valued at $8 billion.
Photo: U. of Maryland, Mahan Rykiel Associates, Baltimore

The expected recovery in building construction, specifically residential construction, will drive growth. These and other trends, including market share and product segmentation, are presented in Brick & Block, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm. Although the majority of demand will remain concentrated in nonresidential markets, the most significant growth opportunities will derive from the recovery in the housing market.  This will benefit concrete brick (used in siding, paving and landscaping applications) and concrete pavers.  Much slower gains will occur in structural and decorative concrete block products, which are more heavily reliant on nonresidential construction.