Geocells or Cellular confinement systems (CCS) are geosynthetic material used to reinforce soil behind retaining walls made up of welded high-density polyethylene (HDPE) that forms a honeycomb grid when expanded. These are widely used in construction for soil erosion control, soil stabilization especially on slopes, channel protection, structural reinforcement for load support and earth retention. Basically, it’s a cost-effectiveness soil reinforcement technique for the improvement of the strength of soft soils.

Geocells originally invented by Presto Geosystems in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. This was initially designed to support heavy military vehicles over weak subgrade soils, years later Geocells evolved as the trusted geosynthetic solution for a variety of infrastructure-related applications, including railway and port industries. Geocells have been successfully invented in the railroad industry to assist with ballast reinforcement, sub grade improvement, port stabilization, and erosion control among others.

Market Dynamics

The cost-effectiveness associated with the geocells technique which helps in high-cost savings in road construction and maintenance is primarily supporting the market growth. The increasing usage of geocells in channel & slope protection is further supporting the market value. The growing concerns towards sustainable infrastructure development and soil erosion control are further expected to boost the value over the forecast period. The improving constructions standards, rapidly growing roadways are developing economies are also expected to spur the demand for geocells in near future. Additionally, the development of lightweight and nano-fiber based geocells coupled with the increasing demand for polymeric alloy & polyester-based geocells are bolstering the market growth. Furthermore, growing infrastructural development activities in emerging economies are anticipated to create potential opportunities over the estimated period from 2020 to 2027.

On the other hand, volatile raw material prices are projected to hinder the growth to an extent over the forecast timeframe from 2020 to 2027.

High-density Polyethylene (HDPE) is the leading segment by raw material in the geocells market

In 2019, High-density Polyethylene (HDPE) accounted for the maximum share (%) in terms of revenue in the global market. The HDPF features include chemical resistance, weather resistance, ultraviolet protection, and high durability are supporting the segmental market value. The HDPE is a thermoplastic polymer made up of petroleum and is the most versatile plastic material. The increasing use of plastic due to its lightweight in the construction sector is supporting the segmental market value.

Asia Pacific accounted for the dominating share (%) in the Geocells market

Asia Pacific region is leading the Geocells market with maximum revenue share (%) in 2019. The growing construction activities across the Asia Pacific region are supporting the regional market value. The advancement in the construction technique along with the increasing investment in high-quality infrastructure is bolstering the demand for Geocells in the regional market. Additionally, the region is also anticipated to exhibit the fastest growth throughout the forecast period from 2020 to 2027 due to its emerging economies including China and India. Increasing construction activities such as road development due to rapid urbanization are proliferating the regional market growth.

Key Industry Players

The players profiled in the report include BOSTD Geosynthetics Qingdao, Flexituff International Limited, GEO Products, LLC, Officine Maccaferri Spa, Presto Geosystems, PRS Geo-Technologies, Strata Systems, Ten Cate, Terram Geosynthetics, TMP Geosynthetics, and other. The major players are involved in strategic mergers and acquisitions, collaborations and partnerships, and new product development in order to expand their market share. For instance, In September 2020, a study was completed by Oregon State University (OSU) in co-operation with the University of Kansas (KU), where Oregon State University (OSU) has performed a three-dimensional (3D) dynamic Finite Element modeling in order to analyze the reinforcing benefit of GEOWEB geocells in railway applications. The strategic collaboration is projected to provide potential opportunities over the forecast timeframe from 2020 to 2027.

Market Segmentation

Market By Raw Material

High-density Polyethylene (HDPE)

Polypropylene (PP)

Others

Market By Design Type

Perforated

Non-Perforated

Market By Application

Load Support

Channel & Slope Protection

Retention of Walls

Others

Market By Geography

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• U.K.
• Germany
• France
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Rest of Asia-Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Mexico
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• GCC
• South Africa
• Rest of Middle East & Africa