Europe Dry Mix Mortar Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The Europe Dry Mix Mortar Market size is estimated at 85.19 million tons in 2025, and is expected to reach 108.10 million tons by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.88% during the forecast period (2025-2030). This growth trajectory stems from the region’s decisive shift toward lower-carbon construction, substantial public-sector renovation budgets, and regulatory alignment under the European Green Deal. Renovation activity in the aging housing stock, the wider adoption of automated silo batching, and rapid product innovation around recycled content formulations are all reinforcing demand. Competitive strategies center on vertical integration to buffer raw material volatility and on continuous product research and development that meets strict VOC and silica dust thresholds. Across the competitive landscape, investments in digitalized plants and circular economy additives are unlocking new market opportunities while enabling differentiation in sustainability credentials.
Key Report Takeaways
- By end-use sector, residential construction led with 52.31% revenue share in 2024, while commercial applications are projected to expand at a 6.52% CAGR through 2030.
- By application, render systems accounted for 35.44% of the Europe dry mix mortar market share in 2024, whereas concrete protection and renovation mortars are advancing at a 6.18% CAGR to 2030.
- By country, Germany captured 20.14% of the Europe dry mix mortar market size in 2024, and Italy is forecast to post the fastest national CAGR at 5.81% between 2025 and 2030.
Europe Dry Mix Mortar Market Trends and Insights
Driver Impact Analysis
| Drivers | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ageing building stock drives renovation demand | +1.2% | EU-wide, notably Germany, France, Italy | Medium term (2–4 years) |
| EU decarbonisation and energy-efficiency directives | +0.9% | Region-wide, sharpest in Northern Europe | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Growth in prefabricated/off-site construction | +0.7% | Germany, Netherlands, Scandinavia | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Post-pandemic green infrastructure stimulus | +0.8% | EU-wide, strongest in recovery-fund recipients | Medium term (2–4 years) |
| Automated silo batching adoption | +0.6% | Germany, France, United Kingdom | Medium term (2–4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Ageing Building Stock Drives Renovation Demand
More than three-quarters of Europe’s buildings were erected before 1990 and fail to meet today’s energy-performance thresholds. Germany’s federal incentives and France’s MaPrimeRénov programs channel steady demand toward render, insulation, and repair mortars. Specialized blends with improved adhesion, low dust, and embedded fibers hold a competitive advantage in this retrofit-heavy environment, encouraging manufacturers to scale formulations that ease site application for smaller contractor crews. At the same time, automated silo systems are mitigating skilled-plasterer shortages and delivering consistent mix quality on dense urban job sites.
EU Decarbonisation and Energy-Efficiency Directives
The recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requires all new buildings to achieve nearly zero-energy status by 2030 and mandates the deep renovation of the existing stock. These mandates are prompting product developers to adopt lower-carbon-embodied recipes that incorporate recycled fines and supplementary cementitious materials. With environmental product declarations (EPDs) set to become compulsory under the revised Construction Products Regulation, early movers that can certify cradle-to-gate emissions under 250 kg CO₂e per ton are likely to seize specification priority across public tenders.
Growth in Prefabricated/Off-Site Construction
Although the share of prefabricated builds fell in 2024, off-site manufacturers increased capital spending on automated facade lines that incorporate factory-applied mortars. Prefab producers in Consistent layer thickness, rapid curing, and low shrinkage are crucial for maximizing factory throughput, thereby increasing the share of premium dry mix grades in these controlled-environment workflows. As broader new-build demand softens, off-site firms shift toward retrofit façade elements, indirectly underpinning mortar consumption per renovated square meter.
Post-Pandemic Green Infrastructure Stimulus
NextGenerationEU channeled EUR 150 billion toward green projects. Spain alone secured EUR 21.3 billion in renovation grants, targeting half a million residential units, while Italy’s modified Superbonus continues to funnel EUR 8.2 billion into thermal insulation and seismic retrofits. Such stimulus is expected to sustain a pipeline of high-specification render, waterproofing, and insulation mortars through 2030, offsetting any cyclical softness in new commercial builds. Furthermore, funding conditions prefer products with quantified carbon savings, magnifying the competitive edge of eco-optimized mixes.
Restraint Impact Analysis
| Restraints | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw-material price volatility | -0.8% | EU-wide, acute in import-dependent regions | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Stringent VOC and silica-dust regulations | -0.5% | EU-wide, strictest in Germany, Netherlands | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Skilled spray-plaster labour shortage | -0.4% | EU-wide, most severe in Germany, France, UK | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Raw-Material Price Volatility
Cement prices rose in 2024, driven by energy inflation and carbon allowance costs under the EU ETS, while aggregates increased amid logistical bottlenecks and tighter mining permits[1]Cembureau, “European Cement Market Price Trends 2024,” cembureau.eu. Raw inputs represent up to 70% of production expenses, so unhedged manufacturers faced margin compression and adjustment lags in contract pricing. Sand scarcity in parts of Germany and the Netherlands added a premium on specialty fines, compelling producers to qualify recycled glass and crushed concrete as substitute fillers. Fluctuating input costs thereby temper volume growth until pass-through mechanisms or alternative raw materials stabilize.
Stringent VOC and Silica-Dust Regulations
The 2024 REACH revision capped VOC content in construction products at 10 g/L and halved permissible silica-dust exposure to 0.05 mg/m³. Compliance investments average EUR 2.5 million per plant as firms retrofit enclosed mixers and switch to low-VOC additives[2]European Chemicals Agency, “REACH Regulation: Understanding Chemical Safety Requirements,” echa.europa.eu. Contractors incur equipment costs for on-site containment and respirators, as well as lifting installation fees. Smaller regional producers lacking capital for reformulation are surrendering share to larger groups that can certify products swiftly, thus reinforcing moderate market consolidation.
Segment Analysis
By End-Use Sector: Residential Renovation Drives Market Leadership
Residential projects accounted for 52.31% of the European dry mix mortar market in 2024, as accelerating energy-retrofit mandates drove increased demand for insulation, render, and screed volumes. Commercial premises, although smaller in scale, are projected to post the fastest 6.52% CAGR through 2030 as hybrid office refurbishments and retail format updates intensify. Industrial and institutional demand is fueled by pharmaceutical cleanroom builds that favor antimicrobial tile adhesives. Infrastructure upgrades under TEN-T add steady volumes in anchoring, repair grout, and waterproofing slurries.
The residential segment’s primacy stems from Germany’s 1.2 million-unit retrofit record in 2024 and France’s target of 500,000 deep renovations annually. High-performance render systems integrating bio-based fibers and phase-change microcapsules secure premium pricing while meeting stringent U-value thresholds. Commercial growth benefits from owners’ drive to repurpose office layouts into collaborative work zones, boosting demand for rapid-set leveling compounds. Industrial activity leans on legislative incentives for cleaner manufacturing plants, which mandate low-VOC flooring mortars. Contractors note that automated silo batching mitigates labor shortages, particularly those that are acute in residential refurbishment, thereby preventing delays and improving finishing quality.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Application: Render Dominance Meets Protection Innovation
Render systems held a 35.44% share of the European dry mix mortar market in 2024, primarily driven by façade refreshes and external wall insulation packages. Concrete protection and renovation mortars are expected to record the fastest growth rate of 6.18% CAGR as governments earmark budgets for bridge and tunnel durability upgrades. Tile adhesives absorb bathroom and kitchen refurbishment spending, their demand aided by large-format tile trends that mandate higher-strength bedding mortars. Waterproofing slurries are projected to grow, particularly in basement damp-proofing applications across flood-prone regions.
Innovation centers on cement-free renders utilizing geopolymer binders and recycled aggregates, reducing carbon footprints by up to 40% without compromising adhesion indexes. Concrete protection blends incorporate nano-silica and crystalline additives that extend service life 25–30% and mitigate chloride ingress. Grout products transition to silver-ion antimicrobial variants suited to healthcare kitchens, while insulation mortars combine aerogel and recycled EPS beads, achieving lambda values below 0.04 W/m·K. Such specification-driven performance differentiates suppliers and allows for premium margins despite raw material headwinds.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
Geography Analysis
Germany retained a 20.14% share of the European dry mix mortar market in 2024, driven by rigorous energy efficiency update regulations and consistent federal subsidies. Italy is expected to exhibit the fastest growth of 5.81% through 2030, as homeowners rush to capture fiscal incentives for façade insulation backed by the Superbonus. France contributes with steady MaPrimeRénov funding, whereas Spain’s rebound raises its stake after permits spiked in 2024. The United Kingdom's share is buoyed by GBP 15 billion annual infrastructure spending despite post-Brexit friction.
Germany’s policy of a 1% mandatory annual renovation ensures predictable demand for render and screed, while regional sand scarcity fuels interest in crushed-glass fillers. Italy’s seismic map drives demand for structural grouts and fiber-reinforced repair mortars, sustaining double-digit growth in specialty blends. France’s simplification of permit processing accelerates the start of renovation projects, widening the pull-through for vapor-permeable renders suited to historic masonry. Eastern European members leverage cohesion funds for school and hospital refurbishment, pushing volumes though at lower price points. Russia’s share remains hampered by supply-chain uncertainty and sanctions on technology imports.
Competitive Landscape
The European dry mix mortar market is moderately fragmented. Their vertical integration into aggregates and additives moderates exposure to raw-material spikes, while broad distribution contracts secure multi-country coverage. Competitive intensity is highest in renders and tile adhesives, where regional brands compete for price-sensitive buyer segments; however, the concrete-protection and waterproofing niches remain more consolidated due to certification barriers and costly testing. Leading incumbents respond by piloting recycled-binder blends and by in-licensing bio-based plasticizers to match sustainability claims while safeguarding established installer networks. The digitalization of manufacturing, including the use of IoT-enabled moisture and temperature sensors, underpins further cost efficiencies and tighter quality tolerances.
Europe Dry Mix Mortar Industry Leaders
-
Ardex Group
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Knauf Group
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MAPEI S.p.A.
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Saint-Gobain
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Sika AG
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- June 2025: Heidelberg Materials inaugurated the world’s first industrial-scale carbon-capture facility at Brevik, Norway, enabling net-zero evoZero cement products for European customers.
- March 2025: Cemex announced a new mortar plant in Swindon, United Kingdom, to produce Vertua low-carbon mortars with a CO₂ footprint at least 30% lower than standard mixes.
Europe Dry Mix Mortar Market Report Scope
Commercial, Industrial and Institutional, Infrastructure, Residential are covered as segments by End Use Sector. Concrete Protection and Renovation, Grouts, Insulation and Finishing Systems, Plaster, Render, Tile Adhesive, Water Proofing Slurries are covered as segments by Application. France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom are covered as segments by Country.| Commercial |
| Industrial and Institutional |
| Infrastructure |
| Residential |
| Plaster |
| Render |
| Tile Adhesive |
| Grout |
| Waterproofing Slurry |
| Concrete Protection and Renovation |
| Insulation and Finishing Systems |
| Other Applications |
| France |
| Germany |
| Italy |
| Russia |
| Spain |
| United Kingdom |
| Rest of Europe |
| By End-Use Sector | Commercial |
| Industrial and Institutional | |
| Infrastructure | |
| Residential | |
| By Application | Plaster |
| Render | |
| Tile Adhesive | |
| Grout | |
| Waterproofing Slurry | |
| Concrete Protection and Renovation | |
| Insulation and Finishing Systems | |
| Other Applications | |
| By Country | France |
| Germany | |
| Italy | |
| Russia | |
| Spain | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Rest of Europe |
Market Definition
- END-USE SECTOR - Dry mix mortar consumed in the construction sectors such as commercial, residential, industrial, institutional, and infrastructure are considered under the scope of the study.
- PRODUCT/APPLICATION - Under the scope of the study, consumption of dry mix mortar products for plaster, render, tile adhesive, grouts, waterproofing slurries, concrete protection and renovation, insulated and finishing systems along with other applications are considered.
| Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|
| Accelerator | Accelerators are admixtures used to fasten the setting time of concrete by increasing the initial rate and speeding up the chemical reaction between cement and the mixing water. These are used to harden and increase the strength of concrete quickly. |
| Acrylic | This synthetic resin is a derivative of acrylic acid. It forms a smooth surface and is mainly used for various indoor applications. The material can also be used for outdoor applications with a special formulation. |
| Adhesives | Adhesives are bonding agents used to join materials by gluing. Adhesives can be used in construction for many applications, such as carpet laying, ceramic tiles, countertop lamination, etc. |
| Air Entraining Admixture | Air-entraining admixtures are used to improve the performance and durability of concrete. Once added, they create uniformly distributed small air bubbles to impart enhanced properties to the fresh and hardened concrete. |
| Alkyd | Alkyds are used in solvent-based paints such as construction and automotive paints, traffic paints, flooring resins, protective coatings for concrete, etc. Alkyd resins are formed by the reaction of an oil (fatty acid), a polyunsaturated alcohol (Polyol), and a polyunsaturated acid or anhydride. |
| Anchors and Grouts | Anchors and grouts are construction chemicals that stabilize and improve the strength and durability of foundations and structures like buildings, bridges, dams, etc. |
| Cementitious Fixing | Cementitious fixing is a process in which a cement-based grout is pumped under pressure to fill forms, voids, and cracks. It can be used in several settings, including bridges, marine applications, dams, and rock anchors. |
| Commercial Construction | Commercial construction comprises new construction of warehouses, malls, shops, offices, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, etc. |
| Concrete Admixtures | Concrete admixtures comprise water reducers, air entrainers, retarders, accelerators, superplasticizers, etc., added to concrete before or during mixing to modify its properties. |
| Concrete Protective Coatings | To provide specific protection, such as anti-carbonation or chemical resistance, a film-forming protective coat can be applied on the surface. Depending on the applications, different resins like epoxy, polyurethane, and acrylic can be used for concrete protective coatings. |
| Curing Compounds | Curing compounds are used to cure the surface of concrete structures, including columns, beams, slabs, and others. These curing compounds keep the moisture inside the concrete to give maximum strength and durability. |
| Epoxy | Epoxy is known for its strong adhesive qualities, making it a versatile product in many industries. It resists heat and chemical applications, making it an ideal product for anyone needing a stronghold under pressure. It is widely used in adhesives, electrical and electronics, paints, etc. |
| Fiber Wrapping Systems | Fiber Wrapping Systems are a part of construction repair and rehabilitation chemicals. It involves the strengthening of existing structures by wrapping structural members like beams and columns with glass or carbon fiber sheets. |
| Flooring Resins | Flooring resins are synthetic materials applied to floors to enhance their appearance, increase their resistance to wear and tear or provide protection from chemicals, moisture, and stains. Depending on the desired properties and the specific application, flooring resins are available in distinct types, such as epoxy, polyurethane, and acrylic. |
| High-Range Water Reducer (Super Plasticizer) | High-range water reducers are a type of concrete admixture that provides enhanced and improved properties when added to concrete. These are also called superplasticizers and are used to decrease the water-to-cement ratio in concrete. |
| Hot Melt Adhesives | Hot-melt adhesives are thermoplastic bonding materials applied as melts that achieve a solid state and resultant strength on cooling. They are commonly used for packaging, coatings, sanitary products, and tapes. |
| Industrial and Institutional Construction | Industrial and institutional construction includes new construction of hospitals, schools, manufacturing units, energy and power plants, etc. |
| Infrastructure Construction | Infrastructure construction includes new construction of railways, roads, seaways, airports, bridges, highways, etc. |
| Injection Grouting | The process of injecting grout into open joints, cracks, voids, or honeycombs in concrete or masonry structural members is known as injection grouting. It offers several benefits, such as strengthening a structure and preventing water infiltration. |
| Liquid-Applied Waterproofing Membranes | Liquid-Applied membrane is a monolithic, fully bonded, liquid-based coating suitable for many waterproofing applications. The coating cures to form a rubber-like elastomeric waterproof membrane and may be applied over many substrates, including asphalt, bitumen, and concrete. |
| Micro-concrete Mortars | Micro-concrete mortar is made up of cement, water-based resin, additives, mineral pigments, and polymers and can be applied on both horizontal and vertical surfaces. It can be used to refurbish residential complexes, commercial spaces, etc. |
| Modified Mortars | Modified Mortars include Portland cement and sand along with latex/polymer additives. The additives increase adhesion, strength, and shock resistance while also reducing water absorption. |
| Mold Release Agents | Mold release agents are sprayed or coated on the surface of molds to prevent a substrate from bonding to a molding surface. Several types of mold release agents, including silicone, lubricant, wax, fluorocarbons, and others, are used based on the type of substrates, including metals, steel, wood, rubber, plastic, and others. |
| Polyaspartic | Polyaspartic is a subset of polyurea. Polyaspartic floor coatings are typically two-part systems that consist of a resin and a catalyst to ease the curing process. It offers high durability and can withstand harsh environments. |
| Polyurethane | Polyurethane is a plastic material that exists in various forms. It can be tailored to be either rigid or flexible and is the material of choice for a broad range of end-user applications, such as adhesives, coatings, building insulation, etc. |
| Reactive Adhesives | A reactive adhesive is made of monomers that react in the adhesive curing process and do not evaporate from the film during use. Instead, these volatile components become chemically incorporated into the adhesive. |
| Rebar Protectors | In concrete structures, rebar is one of the important components, and its deterioration due to corrosion is a major issue that affects the safety, durability, and life span of buildings and structures. For this reason, rebar protectors are used to protect against degrading effects, especially in infrastructure and industrial construction. |
| Repair and Rehabilitation Chemicals | Repair and Rehabilitation Chemicals include repair mortars, injection grouting materials, fiber wrapping systems, micro-concrete mortars, etc., used to repair and restore existing buildings and structures. |
| Residential Construction | Residential construction involves constructing new houses or spaces like condominiums, villas, and landed homes. |
| Resin Fixing | The process of using resins like epoxy and polyurethane for grouting applications is called resin fixing. Resin fixing offers several advantages, such as high compressive and tensile strength, negligible shrinkage, and greater chemical resistance compared to cementitious fixing. |
| Retarder | Retarders are admixtures used to slow down the setting time of concrete. These are usually added with a dosage rate of around 0.2% -0.6% by weight of cement. These admixtures slow down hydration or lower the rate at which water penetrates the cement particles by making concrete workable for a long time. |
| Sealants | A sealant is a viscous material that has little or no flow qualities, which causes it to remain on surfaces where they are applied. Sealants can also be thinner, enabling penetration to a certain substance through capillary action. |
| Sheet Waterproofing Membranes | Sheet membrane systems are reliable and durable thermoplastic waterproofing solutions that are used for waterproofing applications even in the most demanding below-ground structures, including those exposed to highly aggressive ground conditions and stress. |
| Shrinkage Reducing Admixture | Shrinkage-reducing admixtures are used to reduce concrete shrinkage, whether from drying or self-desiccation. |
| Silicone | Silicone is a polymer that contains silicon combined with carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and, in some cases, other elements. It is an inert synthetic compound that comes in various forms, such as oil, rubber, and resin. Due to its heat-resistant properties, it finds applications in sealants, adhesives, lubricants, etc. |
| Solvent-borne Adhesives | Solvent-borne adhesives are mixtures of solvents and thermoplastic or slightly cross-linked polymers such as polychloroprene, polyurethane, acrylic, silicone, and natural and synthetic rubbers. |
| Surface Treatment Chemicals | Surface treatment chemicals are chemicals used to treat concrete surfaces, including roofs, vertical surfaces, and others. They act as curing compounds, demolding agents, rust removers, and others. They are cost-effective and can be used on roadways, pavements, parking lots, and others. |
| Viscosity Modifier | Viscosity Modifiers are concrete admixtures used to change various properties of admixtures, including viscosity, workability, cohesiveness, and others. These are usually added with a dosage of around 0.01% to 0.1% by weight of cement. |
| Water Reducer | Water reducers, also called plasticizers, are a type of admixture used to decrease the water-to-cement ratio in the concrete, thereby increasing the durability and strength of concrete. Various water reducers include refined lignosulfonates, gluconates, hydroxycarboxylic acids, sugar acids, and others. |
| Water-borne Adhesives | Water-borne adhesives use water as a carrier or diluting medium to disperse resin. They are set by allowing the water to evaporate or be absorbed by the substrate. These adhesives are compounded with water as a dilutant rather than a volatile organic solvent. |
| Waterproofing Chemicals | Waterproofing chemicals are designed to protect a surface from the perils of leakage. A waterproofing chemical is a protective coating or primer applied to a structure's roof, retaining walls, or basement. |
| Waterproofing Membranes | Waterproofing membranes are liquid-applied or self-adhering layers of water-tight materials that prevent water from penetrating or damaging a structure when applied to roofs, walls, foundations, basements, bathrooms, and other areas exposed to moisture or water. |
Research Methodology
Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.
- Step-1: Identify Key Variables: The quantifiable key variables (industry and extraneous) pertaining to the specific product segment and country are selected from a group of relevant variables & factors based on desk research & literature review; along with primary expert inputs. These variables are further confirmed through regression modeling (wherever required).
- Step-2: Build a Market Model: In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step-1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set and the model is built on the basis of these variables.
- Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.
- Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases & Subscription Platforms