Superplasticizers, also known as high range water reducers, are chemical admixtures used where well-dispersed particle suspension is required. These polymers are used as dispersants to avoid particle segregation (gravel, coarse and fine sands), and to improve the flow characteristics (theology) of suspensions such as in concrete applications. Their addition to concrete or mortar allows the reduction of the water to cement ratio without negatively affecting the workability of the mixture, and enables the production of self-consolidating concrete and high performance concrete. This effect drastically improves the performance of the hardening fresh paste.
Uses of super plasticizers allow the reduction of water to the extent up to 30% without reducing workability. The use of super plasticizers is practiced for production of flowing, self-compacting, self leveling and for the production of high strength and high performance concrete.
The global superplasticizer market is expected to register a moderate CAGR during the forecast period (2018-2023). The increasing urbanization along with the growing population helps the global concrete superplasticizers market growth. The rising demand for the superplasticizer material in the construction field in order to increase the tensile strength of the concretes fuels the global market growth. The concrete superplasticizers market is flourishing due to the demand for new infrastructures. The global concrete superplasticizers market is a flourishing market with growing demand in the infrastructure.
On the basis of product types, superplasticizers market may be segmented into sulfonated naphthalene-formaldehyde condensates (SNF), sulfonated melamine-formaldehyde condensates (SMF), polycarboxylate derivatives (PC) and modified lignosulfonates (MLS) which are available in powder or liquid forms. The product type to be used depends largely on the concrete mixture such as ready mix, high strength, precast, self-compacting, high performance and shotcrete. SNF, SMF and MLS together account for a large volume of the total superplasticizers consumed globally.