Inventory shortages and brutal price hikes week by week, concrete reinforcing steel mesh prices are soaring.
This characterizes the construction industry at the moment.
(Just a note, you don’t have to postpone your concrete work just because concrete reinforcing steel mesh has significantly increased in price. We have a solution for it!)
Opinions are divided on the significant price hikes and the months-long unavailability of stocks, but it’s certain that the cause of the phenomenon is complex.
I’ve gathered some reasons that undeniably contribute to the escalation of this process, and I also provide a solution on how you can reduce your costs and streamline your work.
Watching the prices of building materials, it feels like hyperinflation. There is inflation, and the situation is quite serious.
Primarily, the prices of timber, steel, and plastic-based thermal insulation have skyrocketed.
I pay the closest attention to the price of steel because with ArmoTec, we offer an alternative to concrete reinforcing steel mesh.
In 2021, the price of concrete reinforcing steel mesh increased by 60%. The continuous rise didn’t stop in 2022 either. From 2020 to early 2023, with minor fluctuations, the price of concrete reinforcing steel mesh tripled. Moreover, there’s a shortage of stock in many ironmongeries, and what costs this much today will be much more expensive when you can procure it because daily prices are in effect.
1. The post-Covid awakening has set the construction industry in motion worldwide. Due to significantly higher demand, prices are rising.
2. Increased demand in certain industries is causing shortages in inventory.
3. China is printing money recklessly and can “pay any amount” for raw materials. It pays as much for Ukrainian construction-grade timber as Europe has paid for planed and edged timber until now. Then, the Ukrainian timber trader would be foolish to invest a lot of energy in processing if China buys the unprocessed wood for the same price.
4. The USA fell out with Canada over the port issue. A significant portion of timber imports came from there. Now, American buyers are also driving up prices in Eastern markets.
5. The measures taken by the Hungarian government, such as CSOK (Family Housing Allowance) and renovation support, further intensify this situation domestically. The idea is good, but its impact has contributed unexpectedly to the growth in demand and price hikes.
6. Last but not least, the collapse of the Ukrainian economy has also contributed to inventory shortages and the explosive rise in prices.
According to analysts, there is no expectation of improvement in this trend in the near future. Although the price hikes have slowed down slightly since then and occasionally moved downwards, they are unlikely to stop or reverse in the foreseeable future.
However, there is a remedy for the price hike of concrete reinforcing steel mesh.
For over 20 years, fiber-reinforced concrete has been used in industrial concrete technology. This science has advanced to the point where, in many cases, it can replace concrete reinforcing steel mesh. We have made it possible for anyone in Hungary to access this extraordinary material, called structural macro fibers, within 1-2 days for use in their homes.
With our ArmoTec structural fibers, you can replace concrete reinforcing steel mesh in the following concrete works, so you don’t have to postpone them; you can get them done now:
- Base concrete
- Carport
- Sidewalk
- Slab foundation
- Screed concrete
- Ground-level stairs
- Shafts
Unlike the prices of concrete reinforcing steel mesh, the price of ArmoTec has not increased once in the past year. Moreover, we have it in stock. Any quantity you need…
Come check out how many advantages it offers here, and at the bottom of the page, place your order in two minutes.
Moreover, there are numerous other advantages compared to concrete reinforcing steel mesh:
- It reinforces concrete in three dimensions at every single point, whereas the mesh is only in one plane.
- It reduces shrinkage cracks to zero. This means that during the concrete curing process, no minor or major cracks can form, resulting in a much more durable concrete in the end.
- It significantly accelerates the construction process by replacing the work processes associated with concrete reinforcing steel mesh.
- It ensures safety during work as it eliminates accidents associated with the use of concrete reinforcing steel mesh.
- Easy to transport. We can replace 500 kg of concrete reinforcing steel mesh with 25-50 kg of ArmoTec, which can be delivered to your doorstep by a postal carrier instead of a truck.
- It’s easy to work with. You just need to add it directly into the concrete mixer—no transportation, no handling, no steelwork, no hassle.
- Its labor demand is almost zero.
- It does not corrode. One of the biggest disadvantages of reinforced concrete is that over time, the enclosed steel begins to corrode due to acids. Oxygen and moisture reach the concrete through its small microcracks, causing the concrete to deteriorate. ArmoTec completely eliminates this issue.
- Fiber-reinforced concrete is easy to drill, without any drill breakage.
- It is much cheaper than concrete reinforcing steel mesh.
- It leaves a much smaller ecological footprint. Its production and transportation result in a fraction of the environmental pollution caused by concrete reinforcing steel mesh. Moreover, by replacing steel with this material, you can reduce the amount of corrosion-resistant concrete needed, further contributing significantly to environmental protection. If environmental conservation is important to you, then this is your material.
- Scientific studies support that its application significantly strengthens concrete and can even be suitable for replacing concrete reinforcing steel mesh: Link to the study
- At least 50% of concrete structures are used to protect the concrete reinforcing steel mesh from corrosion. With macro fibers, this is unnecessary, allowing for a significant reduction in the amount of concrete needed.
- ArmoTec is an approved concrete additive.
With best regards,
Levente Siposs
Supporter of Sustainable Renovations
