UAE is the second largest market for waterproofing in the GCC

The country accounts for about 28 per cent of the total regional demand in 2016

Bituminous membranes have traditionally been the most widely used waterproofing solution. Availability of key raw materials at competitive prices, general climatic conditions, conventional building practices, etc. have all been the key reasons for this trend, says Vartika Joshi, Senior Research Analyst, Visionary Science (Chemicals & Materials) Practice, Frost & Sullivan in an interview with Khaleej Times.

Vartika Joshi, Senior Research Analyst, Visionary Science (Chemicals & Materials) Practice, Frost & Sullivan
"However, the green profile of acrylic and polyurethanesystems, and properties like UV resistance, liquid membranes and polymeric membranes find larger application in areas like waterproofing across the tunnels and underground stations and wet areas waterproofing, and are likely to find extensive usage in exposed areas of roofs, and partially replace the conventional systems, in the long term ahead," she adds.
In the UAE 
The UAE closely follows the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is the second largest market for waterproofing in the GCC, accounting for about 28 per cent of the total GCC demand in 2016, says Joshi. "It is expected to grow at 7-8 per cent annually in the next two to three years. Growth in the construction industry, flow of project awards such as Dubai 2020 World Expo, etc., are expected to drive market growth."
With a strong recovery in the construction sector in the country particularly led by Dubai, and with the use of modern architecture and building practices; demand for alternate waterproofing systems is also on the rise, notes Joshi. "This trend is further accelerated by consultants from the developed western countries who specified polymeric membranes over the traditional bituminous membranes for various planned and ongoing construction and infrastructure projects, particularly post-2010." 
Future of waterproofing
Demand for polymeric sheet membranes are likely to weigh down the growth of bituminous membranes in the medium to long term, according to Joshi. "However, bituminous membranes will keep dominating the waterproofing market for the next two to three years, mainly due to low prices, satisfactory performance, and reluctance among consultants to try out new or alternate systems. While perceived better performance and longer warranty of polymeric membranes would be the key drivers, higher material cost and lack of local availability would be the key restraints," she concludes.
 -suchitra@khaleejtimes.com 

• UAE