Additives for cements, mortars, concretes market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the Belgian market for prepared additives for cements, mortars, and concretes was shaped by progressively stricter environmental standards. The introduction of the new national standard NBN B 15-001 in 2018, complementing the European norm, set higher requirements for concrete performance and sustainability, including the use of recycled aggregates. This drove the development and adoption of specialized additives, such as polycarboxylate ethers, to improve concrete properties. By 2020, reinforced recommendations for using specific additives to meet durability requirements supported market demand.

After peaking at 160.1 thousand tonnes in 2021, market volume declined to 135.9 thousand tonnes in 2022 and further to 127.0 thousand tonnes in 2023. This shift coincided with the 2022 publication of standard NBN B 15-105, which raised the allowable share of recycled aggregates in precast concrete, and the launch of the NEOCEM II project to study new binder materials. In 2023, amendments to the NBN B 15-001 standard to include new low-carbon cement types and tighter BENOR certification requirements necessitated product formulation adjustments, which may have temporarily affected market volumes. Throughout, major players like Holcim continued to innovate, for example with Plasticem® cement.

Production additives for cements, mortars, concretes in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports additives for cements, mortars, concretes from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

Belgium's exports of additives for cements, mortars, and concretes have grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 4 785 tonnes, marking a significant 33.7% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 92%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 24.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 306 tonnes. That year also saw the largest decline of 7.5%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a jump of 55.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium's exports of additives for cements, mortars, and concretes were widely distributed across various markets. The top three destinations—India (11.5% of exports), France (10.6%), and Germany (8.2%)—collectively accounted for just 30.3% of total export flows, highlighting the broad spread of trade partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, shipments of additives for cements, mortars, and concretes from Belgium totaled 12 506 thousand US dollars, down 1.3% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 6 684 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 12 674 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 16.2%, and the biggest increase was in 2019 with a surge of 89.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical structure of exports in value terms was highly diversified. India (17.5% of exports), France (8.3%), and Germany (7.2%) together made up only 33.0% of total flows. The remaining 67.0% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries, underscoring the wide range of trade relationships.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2017-2020

Imports additives for cements, mortars, concretes to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Belgium's imports of foreign additives for cements, mortars, and concretes reached 43 411 tonnes, showing minimal change compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 43 399 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 45 394 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a decrease of 4.4%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 with a rise of 4.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (37.0% of imports), the Netherlands (33.2%), and France (15.9%) remained the leading suppliers of additives for cements, mortars, and concretes to Belgium. Together, they accounted for 86.1% of total imports in kind, dominating the supply structure.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Belgium's imports of additives for cements, mortars, and concretes have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 41 965 thousand US dollars, down 4.5% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 14.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.7%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 50 886 thousand US dollars. The largest decline happened in 2019 with a drop of 13.7%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a jump of 39.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany (57.9% of total flows) and the Netherlands (24.1%) together accounted for 82.0% of Belgium's imports in value terms. Other partners made up the remaining volume, indicating a concentrated supply base from these two key countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belgium in value, 2017-2020