The construction industry is one of the largest industries in the world, according to a report from McKinsey, which states that global construction spending amounts to $10 trillion, accounting for a significant 13% of the world's GDP. However, the growth rate has not been particularly impressive. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the construction industry has slowed down and has had to adapt significantly. Currently, various technologies are being applied and developed to address issues in the construction industry, whether it be labor shortages or environmental concerns at every stage of construction, from before, during, and after. CPAC Green Solution, as a leader in environmentally friendly construction innovation, continues to develop products and services to meet the needs of all customer groups, both now and in the future. They have compiled the trending construction industry trends expected to gain momentum in the next 2-3 years to provide updates and ideas for elevating the Thai construction industry towards sustainable growth.

The 5 unstoppable global construction industry trends are as follows:

1. Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) is a rapidly growing trend worldwide. It not only addresses labor shortages but also helps reduce costs associated with rework due to errors in various stages, which can typically account for up to 30% of total construction costs. The most popular tool currently is Building Information Modeling (BIM). According to a report by ReportLinker, a French market research company, the BIM market was valued at approximately $4.5 billion to $5.2 billion in 2020 before stagnating due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is projected that the BIM market will recover and grow at an annual rate of 14.5%, in line with the recovery of the global construction industry over the next five years. Thailand is also accelerating the development of personnel in VDC to meet the rapidly increasing demand.

2. Modular Construction has been developing for some time, yet this market continues to grow alongside the rapid expansion of cities and industries. The main advantage of modular construction is the ability to plan and control costs and timelines efficiently at every stage, from design to completion. Additionally, it allows for more innovative designs compared to traditional construction. A report from Straits Research, a leading global research firm, predicts that the global modular construction market will reach $271 billion by 2030, up from $138 billion in 2021, with an expected annual growth rate of 8% between 2022 and 2030.

3. Construction Drones are another technology widely utilized in construction, whether for quickly mapping large areas, aerial photography, or for high-risk tasks. It is estimated that construction drones can save up to $160 billion in resources on construction sites each year and improve the accuracy of material stock assessments by up to 61%. Additionally, construction drones are being adapted for various applications, such as those being developed by CPAC Green Solution for residential and factory construction, as well as for underwater surveying using sonar to design and install floating solar panels, a task not feasible for human labor.

4. 3D Printing Technology is being integrated with other technologies, including BIM and drones. Recently, researchers from Imperial College London and Empa in Switzerland developed a special type of drone equipped with 3D printing capabilities for construction and building repair. This system allows multiple drones to work simultaneously from the same blueprint, inspired by the collaborative work of bee swarms. The global 3D printing construction market was valued at approximately $11 million in 2021 and is expected to grow at an annual rate of about 101% from 2022 to 2030. According to Straits Research, the Asia-Pacific region holds the largest market share and is the global leader in 3D printing production. The report also indicates that demand from buildings and infrastructure will be a key driver for market growth in this region, along with the growth of the BIM market, which will further increase the demand for 3D printing.

5. Green Building Materials are becoming increasingly important due to global warming, which compels developers to consider environmentally friendly materials. In the Thai construction industry, there is a push for a shift towards sustainable building materials that align with global trends, focusing on materials that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat global warming. Research and development in materials are being conducted to support sustainable development by using resources efficiently and leading to a low-carbon society. According to a survey by Transparency Market Research, the global market for environmentally friendly construction materials was valued at $264 billion in 2020 and is expected to continue growing, reaching $983 billion by 2031, driven by consumer demand and government policies.

Thus, the Thai construction industry needs to adapt to global trends, especially regarding environmental issues, which have wide-ranging impacts on both business and society. Additionally, stakeholders in the Thai construction industry, both public and private, should prioritize the rapid production of personnel, particularly in Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology, to meet the rapidly increasing demand in the future.