Market Forecast By Product type (Construction aggregates, Concrete bricks, Cement, Construction metals), By Application (Residential, Commercial, Industrial) And Competitive Landscape
| Product Code: ETC016723 | Publication Date: Oct 2020 | Updated Date: Nov 2025 | Product Type: Report | |
| Publisher: 6Wresearch | Author: Ravi Bhandari | No. of Pages: 70 | No. of Figures: 35 | No. of Tables: 5 |
According to 6Wresearch internal database and industry insights, the South Korea Construction Materials Market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4% during the forecast period (2025–2031).
| Report Name | South Korea Construction Materials Market |
| Forecast period | 2025-2031 |
| CAGR | 5.4% |
| Growing Sector | Infrastructure and Construction |
Below mentioned are the evaluation of year-wise growth rate along with key drivers:
| Years | Est. Annual Growth () | Short Drivers |
| 2020 | 1 | Maintenance-focused civil works and steady public repair budgets stabilized cement and steel off-take. |
| 2021 | 2.2 | Gradual restart of metro/rail packages and housing renovations lifted concrete and glass demand. |
| 2022 | 3.4 | Korean New Deal (digital + green) works and data center/warehouse builds supported steel and ready-mix. |
| 2023 | 4.6 | Semiconductor fab investments (Yongin/Daegu clusters) and port/airport upgrades boosted bulk materials. |
| 2024 | 5.3 | GTX commuter rail corridors, road refurbishments, and zero-energy building retrofits increased blended cement, glass, and rebar consumption. |
The South Korea Construction Materials Market report thoroughly covers the market by material type, application, end user, form, and distribution channel. The report provides an unbiased and detailed analysis of ongoing market trends, opportunities/high-growth areas, and market drivers that will help stakeholders devise and align strategies according to current and future market dynamics.
South Korea Construction Materials Market is set to grow steadily, driven by ongoing modernization of transport networks, rapid expansion of high-tech industrial facilities such as semiconductor plants and data centers, and consistent residential redevelopment across urban areas. Growing focus on eco-friendly materials, green retrofits, and zero-energy standards is elevating demand for advanced cement, steel, concrete, and glazing products, fostering South Korea Construction Materials Market Growth centered on innovation and sustainability.
Below mentioned are some prominent drivers and their influence on the South Korea Construction Materials Market dynamics:
| Drivers | Primary Segments Affected | Why it Matters (Evidence) |
| High-Tech Manufacturing Investments (semiconductor/battery clusters) | Steel, Concrete | Fab shells and utility blocks are steel- and concrete-intensive; schedule-critical builds pull premium materials. |
| Urban Rail & Express Networks (GTX, metro extensions) | Cement, Concrete, Steel | Tunnels/viaducts require bulk concrete and rebar; stations demand architectural glass systems. |
| Green Remodeling & ZEB Mandate (public buildings first) | Glass, Cement (blended), Wood | Energy codes push efficient glazing, blended cements, and low-embodied-carbon materials in retrofits. |
| Smart/Logistics Hubs & Ports (Busan New Port, ICDs) | Steel, Concrete, Glass | Large-span warehouses and terminals consume long steel, slabs, and façade glass. |
South Korea Construction Materials Market is expected to grow steadily at 5.4% CAGR between 2025 and 2031. The Growth of the market is driven by large-scale public infrastructure projects, expansion of high-tech industrial facilities, and implementation of strict energy-efficiency regulations. The South Korea Construction Materials Market Growth is also driven by increasing investments in transport systems, smart cities, and green buildings. Cement, concrete, and steel are likely to remain the main foundations of civil and industrial construction due to their structural stability and durability. At the same time, next-generation glass materials are expected to gain increasing traction in energy-efficient façades and contemporary architecture.
Below mentioned are some major restraints and their influence on the South Korea Construction Materials Market dynamics:
| Restraints | Primary Segments Affected | What this Means (Evidence) |
| Input Energy & Raw Material Volatility (coal, clinker, scrap) | Cement, Steel | Pricing swings pressure producer margins and bid certainty for EPCs. |
| Labor Demographics & Skilled Shortage | All Materials | Higher labor costs and limited skilled crews slow advanced material adoption on smaller sites. |
| Stringent Emissions Compliance & Capex | Cement, Glass | Decarbonization investments (kiln upgrades, waste heat) raise fixed costs. |
| Permitting & Community Constraints (dense metros) | Concrete, Steel | Noise/traffic limits restrict delivery windows; adds logistics and time risk. |
The South Korea Construction Materials Industry Challenges are increasing logistical complications in densely populated urban areas, increasing costs to deliver projects, and a growing lack of skilled labor caused by changes in demographics. Investments in transforming cement kilns, steel furnaces, and glass production lines to meet decarbonization commitments requires a significant amount of capital by manufacturers. In addition, large industrial development projects continue to face risks that are inherent in a limited supply chain for premium-grade materials. Furthermore, scattered networks to renovate and retrofit buildings create barriers for wide-spread adoption of innovative, sustainable, and high-performance materials for construction.
Several significant trends are impacting South Korea Construction Materials Industry:
Some of the notable investment opportunities are:
Below is the list of prominent companies leading in the South Korea Construction Materials Market Share:
| Company Name | POSCO Holdings |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Pohang, South Korea |
| Established Year | 1968 |
| Official Website | Click Here |
POSCO Holdings is one of the world’s largest steel producers, manufacturing high-strength rebars, H-beams, and flat steel products. The company plays a key role in infrastructure, industrial estates, and high-rise construction projects, supporting sustainable and high-performance building applications globally.
| Company Name | Hyundai Steel Company |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Seoul, South Korea |
| Established Year | 1953 |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Hyundai Steel Company is a leading integrated steel manufacturer, producing long and flat steel products for bridges, railways, industrial plants, and residential structures. The company focuses on advanced steelmaking technologies and eco-friendly production processes.
| Company Name | Ssangyong C&E Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Seoul, South Korea |
| Established Year | 1961 |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Ssangyong C&E Co., Ltd. is a prominent cement and concrete manufacturer, producing clinker, blended cements, and ready-mix concrete. The company prioritises low-carbon and high-performance construction materials, serving major civil engineering and building projects across Korea.
| Company Name | Hanil Cement Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Seoul, South Korea |
| Established Year | 1961 |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Hanil Cement Co., Ltd. is one of South Korea’s leading cement producers, offering bulk and bagged cement, aggregates, and building materials. The company supplies materials for metro rail networks, port developments, and urban redevelopment projects, emphasizing quality and efficiency in construction.
| Company Name | KCC Glass Corporation |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Seoul, South Korea |
| Established Year | 1958 |
| Official Website | Click Here |
KCC Glass Corporation manufactures architectural glazing systems, including low-emissivity and fire-rated glass for energy-efficient façades. Its products are widely used in offices, housing, and public buildings, supporting Korea’s push toward sustainable and high-tech architecture.
According to South Korean Government data, South Korea policy frameworks, the Korean New Deal (Green & Digital) advances low-carbon materials adoption, while the Zero Energy Building (ZEB) roadmap phases in performance thresholds for public and, progressively, private buildings. The Building Energy Efficiency Certification promotes high-performance glazing and insulation; the Framework Act on Resource Circulation supports recycled aggregates and C&D waste utilization; and national SOC programs (GTX commuter rail, expressways, and port upgrades) underpin sustained bulk materials demand through multi-year budgeting.
South Korea Construction Materials Industry is expected to sustain strong growth, supported by large-scale investments in high-tech industrial facilities, zero-energy building retrofits, and expansion of metropolitan rail and port networks. Capacity growth in blended cement, precast, and advanced glass production, along with digital procurement and BIM integration, will improve cost efficiency and project scheduling. Over time, enhanced circularity, recycling initiatives, and electrified manufacturing processes will strengthen competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience across the national construction materials supply chain.
The report offers a comprehensive study of the subsequent market segments and their leading categories.
According to Ritika Kalra, Senior Research Analyst, 6Wresearch, Concrete is projected to dominate the South Korea Construction Materials Market Share due to its critical role in tunnels, viaducts, fab foundations, and high-rise cores. The surge in GTX rail corridors, semiconductor fabs, and logistics hubs necessitates high-performance, self-compacting, and precast concrete solutions for speed, strength, and durability across civil and industrial builds.
Infrastructure Development holds the largest share as sustained investment in commuter rail, highways, and ports drives long-cycle consumption of cement, concrete, and steel. Complex underground and marine works intensify per-project volumes, elevating structural materials and advanced façade requirements for intermodal facilities.
Government Agencies lead demand since multi-year SOC programs, public building retrofits, and transit expansions are publicly funded and centrally coordinated, ensuring consistent, bulk procurement of structural materials and performance glazing at scale.
Solid form materials—rebar, beams, precast elements, blocks, and glass panels—dominate given their structural function in cores, decks, bridges, and envelopes. Preference for ready-to-install solids aligns with modular and precast adoption to shorten schedules and standardize quality.
Direct Sales dominate as primary producers maintain framework contracts and just-in-time delivery to EPCs and public agencies, enabling predictable pricing, technical support, and logistics coordination on schedule-critical projects.
The report offers a comprehensive study of the subsequent market segments:
| 1 Executive Summary |
| 2 Introduction |
| 2.1 Key Highlights of the Report |
| 2.2 Report Description |
| 2.3 Market Scope & Segmentation |
| 2.4 Research Methodology |
| 2.5 Assumptions |
| 3 South Korea Construction Materials Market Overview |
| 3.1 South Korea Country Macro Economic Indicators |
| 3.2 South Korea Construction Materials Market Revenues & Volume, 2021 & 2031F |
| 3.3 South Korea Construction Materials Market - Industry Life Cycle |
| 3.4 South Korea Construction Materials Market - Porter's Five Forces |
| 3.5 South Korea Construction Materials Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Product type 2021 & 2031F |
| 3.6 South Korea Construction Materials Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Application, 2021 & 2031F |
| 4 South Korea Construction Materials Market Dynamics |
| 4.1 Impact Analysis |
| 4.2 Market Drivers |
| 4.2.1 Government investments in infrastructure projects |
| 4.2.2 Growing urbanization and industrialization |
| 4.2.3 Demand for sustainable and energy-efficient materials |
| 4.3 Market Restraints |
| 4.3.1 Fluctuating raw material prices |
| 4.3.2 Regulatory challenges in obtaining permits and approvals |
| 4.3.3 Competition from alternative building materials |
| 5 South Korea Construction Materials Market Trends |
| 6 South Korea Construction Materials Market, By Types |
| 6.1 South Korea Construction Materials Market, By Product type |
| 6.1.1 Overview and Analysis |
| 6.1.2 South Korea Construction Materials Market Revenues & Volume, By Product type 2021 - 2031F |
| 6.1.3 South Korea Construction Materials Market Revenues & Volume, By Construction aggregates, 2021 - 2031F |
| 6.1.4 South Korea Construction Materials Market Revenues & Volume, By Concrete bricks, 2021 - 2031F |
| 6.1.5 South Korea Construction Materials Market Revenues & Volume, By Cement, 2021 - 2031F |
| 6.1.6 South Korea Construction Materials Market Revenues & Volume, By Construction metals, 2021 - 2031F |
| 6.2 South Korea Construction Materials Market, By Application |
| 6.2.1 Overview and Analysis |
| 6.2.2 South Korea Construction Materials Market Revenues & Volume, By Residential, 2021 - 2031F |
| 6.2.3 South Korea Construction Materials Market Revenues & Volume, By Commercial, 2021 - 2031F |
| 6.2.4 South Korea Construction Materials Market Revenues & Volume, By Industrial, 2021 - 2031F |
| 7 South Korea Construction Materials Market Import-Export Trade Statistics |
| 7.1 South Korea Construction Materials Market Export to Major Countries |
| 7.2 South Korea Construction Materials Market Imports from Major Countries |
| 8 South Korea Construction Materials Market Key Performance Indicators |
| 8.1 Number of new infrastructure projects initiated |
| 8.2 Adoption rate of sustainable construction materials |
| 8.3 Construction material innovation index |
| 8.4 Construction material recycling rate |
| 8.5 Construction material carbon footprint reduction effort |
| 9 South Korea Construction Materials Market - Opportunity Assessment |
| 9.1 South Korea Construction Materials Market Opportunity Assessment, By Product type 2021 & 2031F |
| 9.2 South Korea Construction Materials Market Opportunity Assessment, By Application, 2021 & 2031F |
| 10 South Korea Construction Materials Market - Competitive Landscape |
| 10.1 South Korea Construction Materials Market Revenue Share, By Companies, 2024 |
| 10.2 South Korea Construction Materials Market Competitive Benchmarking, By Operating and Technical Parameters |
| 11 Company Profiles |
| 12 Recommendations |
| 13 Disclaimer |