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Summary of our market study
The French asbestos removal market is estimated at over €1.1 billion.
Asbestos was banned in 1997.
In recent years, the asbestos removal market in France has experienced significant growth and development, with new entrants quadrupling the number of establishments by 2020. Today, the market counts some 1,000 establishments.
Asbestos, a harmful silicate mineral, presents significant health risks. Asbestos removal mainly concerns asbestos concrete, accounting for 80%.
Asbestos removal services include dust removal, containment, extraction, quality control and waste disposal.
The introduction of stricter legislation has resulted in higher operating costs for certification, protection and training, with no commensurate increase in the fees charged to customers.
Asbestos removal robots could revolutionize the sector.
The construction, demolition and industrial sectors are the main consumers of asbestos removal services, accounting for half and a quarter of activity respectively. Asbestos removal is also benefiting from new markets such as ship and train dismantling.
The market potential is enormous.
Asbestos removal market players
- Construction and infrastructure
Construction and infrastructure giants Vinci, Bouygues and Eiffage have vast resources at their disposal, enabling them to tackle large-scale projects that often include comprehensive asbestos eradication components.
- Environmental managers and service providers
Veolia and Suez have entered the asbestos removal market.
- Asbestos removal specialists
The market also includes pure specialists such as Snadec, DI Environnement, Serpol, Wig France Entreprises and DFD.
agirent is a rental company specializing in asbestos removal cabins and equipment.
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Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Introduction and scope of activity
Asbestos removal refers to the activity of removing asbestos :
- In buildings (residential, individual, warehouses, factories and offices);
- Vehicles (trains and ships).
because of the health risks associated with the development of asbestos, asbestos removal is strictly regulated in France and around the world.
Asbestos takes many forms, appearing in materials such as mortar, plaster, slabs, roofing, bitumen and partitions. To remove asbestos from spaces and buildings, several key stages are necessary: dust removal, containment, asbestos extraction, quality control and waste disposal.
The asbestos removal market, which in the past was mainly focused on buildings and infrastructures, is now undergoing a process of evolution marked by technological innovation and adaptation to new regulatory and environmental challenges. In 2022, it will continue to grow, with notable innovations such as asbestos removal robots, like those developed by Iso-Top, specialists in deconstruction robotics. These autonomous machines are capable of carrying out complex decontamination operations while minimizing human risks, marking a considerable advance in the sector.
The adoption of these technological solutions echoes the broader transformation of the market, which is set to grow at a steady pace in the years ahead. The global asbestos removal market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% between 2023 and 2024, underpinned by increased investment in old infrastructure renovation and urban regeneration initiatives. In France, a mature market, major players such as Vinci and Bouygues are expanding their activities into ancillary sectors such as nuclear dismantling and vehicle asbestos removal, illustrating the gradual diversification of the offering.
Future prospects for the sector point to the increasing integration of digital technologies. The use of drones for initial diagnosis and the introduction of online platforms for worksite management, such as the Demat@miante platform, simplify monitoring and regulation processes, boosting the efficiency of interventions. However, challenges remain, particularly in terms of operator training and toxic waste management, requiring close coordination between regulatory authorities and companies in the sector.
In short, the asbestos removal market is undergoing a major transformation. While the need for asbestos removal remains constant, innovative solutions and regulatory changes are pushing industry players to adapt rapidly. Most recently, on June 4, 2024, a decree specified the conditions and procedures for asbestos spotting, aimed at guaranteeing worker safety and limiting the risks of environmental contamination. Asbestos surveys must comply with standard NF X 46-102.
1.2 A global market still under-exploited
Today, the asbestos removal market is growing as a result of increasing regulation in many countries. Indeed, the risks and harmful effects of asbestos on health are prompting more and more countries to adopt measures against the use of asbestos, or even to promote the elimination of this substance from existing buildings and property. The asbestos removal market is difficult to estimate precisely, as it involves a wide range of players. However, a good indicator is sales of asbestos disposal bags. This segment has been growing in recent years, and should continue to do so, reaching sales of over one billion dollars by ****.
Asbestos disposal bags market World, **** - *****, in millions of dollars Source: ****
The global market is largely dominated by North America, which accounts for more than half of the sector, while Europe is in second place with almost a quarter of the market share.
Nevertheless, many countries have yet to take the plunge into asbestos removal. This is particularly true of major industrial countries such as Russia, China, Brazil and Kazahkstan, which still have large asbestos mines.
Asbestos-producing countries World, ****, in % Source: ****
In the short term, the use of asbestos in industry and construction, particularly in such large countries, ...
