Waterproofing Membranes Market Size and Share
Waterproofing Membranes Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The Waterproofing Membranes Market size is estimated at USD 23.36 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 31 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.82% during the forecast period (2025-2030). This growth is anchored in accelerating urbanization, stringent building-envelope energy codes, and infrastructure modernization programs that convert pent-up demand into steady, project-backed orders across residential, commercial, and infrastructure sites. Product substitution is limited because waterproofing protects structural assets from water ingress, a fundamental requirement that remains constant throughout economic cycles. Modular construction, rapid metro development, and green-roof incentives are reshaping the application mix, while contractors increasingly favor spray-applied liquid systems that shorten installation cycles and mitigate skilled-installer shortages. Profitability hinges on timely raw material hedging, agile distribution, and product portfolios that meet emerging fire safety and energy performance mandates.
Key Report Takeaways
- By product type, cold-liquid-applied membranes led with 34.48% of the waterproofing membranes market share in 2024, while fully adhered sheet systems are advancing at a 7.64% CAGR through 2030 for the same market.
- By end-use sector, the residential segment accounted for 30.19% share of the waterproofing membranes market size in 2024, whereas infrastructure applications are projected to expand at 6.39% CAGR between 2025 and 2030.
- By geography, Asia-Pacific commanded 36.40% revenue share in 2024, and South America is poised for the fastest expansion at 6.17% CAGR to 2030.
Global Waterproofing Membranes Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Drivers | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid urbanisation and infrastructure build-out | +1.8% | Global, with concentration in APAC and MEA | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Tightening building-envelope energy-codes | +1.2% | North America and EU, expanding to APAC | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Expansion of green-roof incentives | +0.9% | Europe and North America core markets | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Rapid urban metro and tunnel build-outs | +0.7% | APAC core, with spillover to MEA | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Emergence of self-healing nano-composite membranes | +0.6% | Global, early adoption in developed markets | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Robust shift towards liquid-applied membranes in modular construction | +0.5% | North America and EU, expanding globally | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Rapid Urbanization and Infrastructure Build-out
Urban population growth is reshaping procurement patterns as megacities extend their underground networks, transit corridors, and mixed-use towers. China’s urbanization rate reached 66.2% in 2024, with a national target of 75% by 2030, and India’s Smart Cities Mission has earmarked USD 28 billion for urban infrastructure upgrades[1]National Bureau of Statistics of China, “China Statistical Yearbook 2024,” stats.gov.cn. These programs specify premium, long-service-life membranes for tunnels, basements, and podium decks to prevent cascading failures that would otherwise threaten public safety and economic continuity. The waterproofing membranes market benefits from the fact that below-grade structures require multiple layers of protection, driving higher volumes per project. Long concession tenures in public–private partnerships further reinforce demand by locking in maintenance obligations and encouraging owners to choose durable solutions that minimize life-cycle cost.
Tightening Building-Envelope Energy Codes
Energy-performance regulations now treat waterproofing membranes as functional layers within the thermal envelope, blurring the lines between air, vapor, and water barriers. The European Union’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive mandates near-zero-energy new construction, pushing designers to specify integrated membrane systems that control moisture and heat flow simultaneously[2]European Commission, “Energy Performance of Buildings Directive,” energy.ec.europa.eu . In North America, ASHRAE 90.1-2022 lists continuous air barriers as a prescriptive requirement, prompting demand for liquid membranes that create seamless transitions across substrates. As codes evolve, suppliers monetize higher R-value additives and reflective pigments that transform traditional waterproofing into multifunctional layers, supporting premium pricing in both retrofit and new-build markets.
Expansion of Green-Roof Incentives
Municipal programs offer tax abatements and zoning bonuses for vegetated roofs, driving demand for membranes that resist root penetration, support drainage layers, and maintain performance in constant humidity. New York City’s Green Roof Tax Abatement offers USD 5.23 per square foot, while Toronto mandates green roofs on new buildings above 2,000 square meters. Europe extends the trend, with Berlin requiring vegetation on large flat roofs to curb urban heat-island effects. Liquid-applied polyurethane and polymethyl-methacrylate systems dominate because they bond to complex geometries around planters and mechanical penetrations. This incentive-backed niche attracts higher margins and encourages research and development in additives that enhance chemical resistance and elongation.
Rapid Urban Metro and Tunnel Build-outs
Underground transit requires specialized waterproofing, which undergoes stringent tests for hydrostatic pressure, substrate movement, and service life. China and India plan to add urban rail; each kilometer consumes roughly 15,000 square meters of membrane. These projects prefer thermoplastic polyolefin and PVC liners with welding seams verified by spark testing, pushing entrants to build on-site technical service teams. Supply contracts include long warranty periods, creating recurring revenue from inspection and maintenance services.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraints | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitumen price volatility | -0.8% | Global, with higher impact in price-sensitive markets | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Skilled-installer shortages | -0.4% | North America and EU, expanding to APAC | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Fire-class-A compliance limits for some membranes | -0.3% | North America and EU core, with spillover to APAC | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Bitumen Price Volatility
Refinery curtailments and geopolitical shocks lifted bitumen prices by 23% in 2024, prompting three consecutive list-price increases that rippled across project budgets. Modified-bitumen sheets comprise roughly 40% of global consumption and absorb raw-material shocks directly. Contractors in cost-sensitive residential reroofing struggle to pass surcharges to homeowners, causing postponements and selective specification switches to thermoplastics. Manufacturers are hedging through long-term supply contracts and bio-based modifiers, but exposure remains a structural risk that dampens the waterproofing membranes market growth in the short term.
Skilled-Installer Shortages
The labor gap affects both quality and capacity. U.S. roofing contractors report 15% fewer certified waterproofing installers than there are open positions, and Europe faces a similar attrition rate as seasoned workers retire. Liquid membranes require precise mix ratios; misapplication leads to pinholes and warranty claims. Suppliers respond with certified-applicator programs, mobile training units, and product tweaks that extend pot life. The shortage also accelerates the adoption of self-leveling and spray technologies that reduce manual steps; however, higher material costs restrict uptake in budget-driven segments.
Segment Analysis
By Product Type: Liquid Systems Drive Innovation
Cold-liquid-applied membranes held the largest share at 34.48% of the waterproofing membranes market in 2024, thanks to their ability to form seamless barriers around angles, penetrations, and complex façade elements. Fully adhered sheet systems trail but register a 7.64% CAGR through 2030 as architects value their dimensional stability and superior Class A fire performance. Hot liquid systems persist in industrial settings where process temperatures demand thermal resistance, whereas loose-laid sheets continue to cater to cost-sensitive reroofing despite eroding volumes.
The waterproofing membranes market size for cold liquid-applied products is driven by the rapid adoption in modular manufacturing lines that prioritize speed and uniform quality. Suppliers integrate self-healing nano-composites into polyurethane and PMMA matrices, reducing maintenance callbacks and supporting longer warranties. Meanwhile, fully adhered PVC and TPO sheets attract data center builders who require low-halogen, flame-retardant assemblies for mission-critical installations. The product mix is trending toward hybrids that combine spray-applied base layers with prefabricated cap sheets, capitalizing on the respective strengths of each technology.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By End-Use Sector: Infrastructure Leads Growth
The residential segment generated 30.19% of 2024 revenue, driven by new housing and cyclic reroofing; however, infrastructure applications are set to lead growth at 6.39% CAGR through 2030. Public investment in metros, tunnels, flood-control systems, and utility corridors underpins this acceleration. Commercial and industrial demand remains resilient because building codes link waterproofing performance to energy efficiency credits, reinforcing the specification of higher-value membranes.
The waterproofing membranes market size for infrastructure projects is bolstered by 50-year design life requirements that increase per-unit consumption. Transportation authorities bundle membranes with geotextiles and drainage composites, favoring suppliers that offer complete systems and field engineering. Data centers emerge as a premium sub-segment within commercial construction, necessitating robust roof assemblies that guard against leak-triggered downtime. Fire-safety upgrades in hospitality and healthcare also stimulate upgrades to liquid membranes that combine Class A compliance with low-VOC formulations.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
Geography Analysis
Asia-Pacific recorded a 36.40% share of global revenue in 2024, propelled by China’s Belt and Road projects and India’s surge in urban rail. China and India's metro pipeline and Smart Cities Mission funnel continuous orders into membrane supply chains. Japan and South Korea sustain demand through seismic retrofitting and building rehabilitation, while Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand post double-digit growth as industrial parks and logistics hubs proliferate.
North America and Europe represent mature but technologically advanced markets. In the United States, the upgraded ASHRAE 90.1-2022 standards are expected to stimulate spending on membranes that integrate air-barrier functionality. Canada’s infrastructure improvement plan prioritizes municipal water and wastewater facilities, increasing procurement of chemically resistant liquid-applied systems. European demand centers on green-roof mandates, with Berlin and Vienna mandating vegetation on expansive flat roofs. The waterproofing membranes market responds by introducing root-resistant formulations that combine elongation with puncture resistance, ensuring compatibility with vegetated assemblies.
South America leads regional growth with a 6.17% CAGR forecast through 2030, guided by Brazil’s USD 15 billion drainage and flood-control program and Argentina’s commercial redevelopment in Buenos Aires. Currency volatility and financing gaps create intermittent pauses, but project backlogs remain healthy. Suppliers build local blending plants to hedge currency risk and slash freight costs. The Middle East and Africa follow with gradual gains as economic diversification funds public housing, tourism, and utility megaprojects.
Competitive Landscape
The Waterproofing Membranes Market is moderately consolidated. Strategic focus tilts toward vertical integration of raw materials, regional factories, and digital services. Patent filings reveal growing emphasis on recycled polymers, bio-based asphalt extenders, and reflective coatings that satisfy sustainability metrics without compromising durability. Market leadership increasingly depends on technical-advisory capacity—suppliers field in-house engineers who assist design teams, expedite approvals, and train installers. Regional firms remain competitive in reroofing and small commercial jobs where proximity and personal service outweigh brand scale.
Waterproofing Membranes Industry Leaders
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Sika AG
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Standard Industries Inc.
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SOPREMA Group
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Saint-Gobain
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MAPEI S.p.A.
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- March 2025: Eternity Waterproofing, a leading Singapore-based waterproofing company, has announced a strategic partnership with Mapei Far East, a subsidiary of the globally renowned building materials supplier Mapei S.p.A. The collaboration aims to deliver advanced waterproofing membrane systems tailored to the unique climatic and construction demands of Southeast Asia.
- February 2025: Saint-Gobain has finalized its acquisition of Fosroc, a prominent global player in construction chemicals, significantly enhancing its presence across India, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. This strategic move, announced in June 2024 and completed in February 2025, marks a pivotal expansion of Saint-Gobain’s construction chemicals portfolio, encompassing waterproofing membranes.
Global Waterproofing Membranes Market Report Scope
Commercial, Industrial and Institutional, Infrastructure, Residential are covered as segments by End Use Sector. Cold Liquid Applied, Fully Adhered Sheet, Hot Liquid Applied, Loose Laid Sheet are covered as segments by Technology. Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, North America, South America are covered as segments by Region.| Cold Liquid Applied |
| Hot Liquid Applied |
| Fully Adhered Sheet |
| Loose-Laid Sheet |
| Commercial |
| Industrial and Institutional |
| Infrastructure |
| Residential |
| Asia-Pacific | Australia |
| China | |
| India | |
| Indonesia | |
| Japan | |
| Malaysia | |
| South Korea | |
| Thailand | |
| Vietnam | |
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |
| North America | Canada |
| Mexico | |
| United States | |
| Europe | France |
| Germany | |
| Italy | |
| Russia | |
| Spain | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Rest of Europe | |
| South America | Argentina |
| Brazil | |
| Rest of South America | |
| Middle-East and Africa | Saudi Arabia |
| United Arab Emirates | |
| Rest of Middle-East and Africa |
| By Product Type | Cold Liquid Applied | |
| Hot Liquid Applied | ||
| Fully Adhered Sheet | ||
| Loose-Laid Sheet | ||
| By End-Use Sector | Commercial | |
| Industrial and Institutional | ||
| Infrastructure | ||
| Residential | ||
| By Geography | Asia-Pacific | Australia |
| China | ||
| India | ||
| Indonesia | ||
| Japan | ||
| Malaysia | ||
| South Korea | ||
| Thailand | ||
| Vietnam | ||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | ||
| North America | Canada | |
| Mexico | ||
| United States | ||
| Europe | France | |
| Germany | ||
| Italy | ||
| Russia | ||
| Spain | ||
| United Kingdom | ||
| Rest of Europe | ||
| South America | Argentina | |
| Brazil | ||
| Rest of South America | ||
| Middle-East and Africa | Saudi Arabia | |
| United Arab Emirates | ||
| Rest of Middle-East and Africa | ||
Market Definition
- END-USE SECTOR - Waterproofing membranes 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, the consumption of waterproofing membrane products including cold liquid applied, hot liquid applied, fully adhered sheet, and loose laid sheet 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