A survey of American and Canadian segmental concrete makers by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute shows sales improving among producers of concrete paving slabs, segmental concrete and permeable interlocking concrete pavement.

A new survey from the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) shows the segmental concrete pavement industry maintaining a steady economic upturn from the recession. Sales increased by 2.2 percent for U.S. segmental concrete paving production in 2012, up from 4.17 to 4.26 million square feet per producer.

Permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP) continues to grow as a means to meet increasing national, state and local regulations to reduce stormwater runoff. In the U.S., PICP production increased 53.3 percent over 2011, and increased 25.6 percent in Canada. Permeable pavers represent 4.9 percent of total paving product production in North America, and about one-fourth of all concrete paver sales in commercial/municipal applications.

Concrete paving slabs have also shown significant growth, as the trend continues toward larger units in commercial and residential pedestrian applications. This is the case especially in Canada, where manufacturers experienced an 8.6 percent increase in production over 2011. Concrete paving slabs represent 34.1 percent of total paving product production in North America.

The 2013 survey respondents included 73 manufacturing companies, most of which reported improvements from the previous year's survey. The survey reports on 2012 sales data and estimates annual paver sales from a same respondent sample to the universe of paver manufacturers.

ICPI Survey Results At A Glance:

North American Segmental Concrete Paving Sales
• 486 million square feet (est.)
• 2.2 percent increase in U.S.
• 78 percent of production to residential market

Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement (PICP) Sales
• 53.3 percent increase in U.S. production over 2011, 25.6 percent increase in Canada
• 4.9 percent of total paving product production in North America
• 75.6 percent PICP production to commercial/municipal market

Concrete Paving Slabs Sales
• 8.6 percent increase in Canadian production over 2011
• 34.1 percent of total paving product production in North America
• 84.3 percent slab production to residential market

The complete survey results are available for purchase online.