Thailand Building Materials Market Insights
Preliminary market insights across four of Thailand's building and industrial materials segments gypsum, abrasive products, automotive glass, and tile adhesives covering market size, growth drivers, competitive landscape, and emerging trends.
Key takeaways
- Thailand's materials segments are all growing, but at very different speeds from tile adhesives' ~2% CAGR to abrasive products' ~7.5% CAGR through the early 2030s.
- Gypsum is a stable, export-oriented market: US$477M in 2025 growing to US$586M by 2031 (3.5% CAGR), with Thailand the world's 2nd-largest gypsum exporter.
- Abrasive products is the fastest-growing and largest segment US$48.2Bn in 2025 to US$74.5Bn by 2031 (7.5% CAGR) driven by automotive (8.82% CAGR) and electronics manufacturing (10.38% CAGR).
- Automotive glass demand is shifting up-market: Asia's market grows from US$8.5Bn to US$11.9Bn by 2031 (5.9% CAGR) as EVs and premium vehicles drive panoramic, acoustic, and solar-control glazing.
- Tile adhesives is the slowest-growing segment (~2% CAGR), held back by high household debt, tight lending standards, and regional flooding delaying residential construction.
- Across all four segments, the same structural tailwinds recur: premiumization, sustainability/green-building compliance, and a shift toward value-added, technically differentiated products.
A stable, export-oriented market riding the green-building trend
Thailand's gypsum market is projected to expand at an annualized rate of 3.5% through 2031, supported by rising adoption of lightweight, fire-resistant dry construction and growing demand for green-certified building materials.
- Demand is driven by urban expansion across Southeast Asia, including a surge in high-rise, residential, and commercial construction.
- Growth is tempered by raw material price volatility and competition from alternative materials such as cement board, plywood, and composite panels.
- Gypsum boards are recyclable and support green building certifications (LEED, BREEAM), aligning with ESG goals and government regulation.
Thailand gypsum market size (US$ million)
| Year | Market size |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 477.0 |
| 2026 | 493.7 |
| 2027 | 511.0 |
| 2028 | 528.9 |
| 2029 | 547.4 |
| 2030 | 566.5 |
| 2031 | 586.4 |
SCG-affiliated brands and Knauf lead full-system supply
Thailand's gypsum market features established local leaders and global players, with competition spanning full-system solutions, specialized boards, and cost-focused offerings.
| Company | Established (TH) | Location | Product focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant Gypsum (SCG) | 1982 | Saraburi & Songkhla | Full gypsum & ceiling systems boards, ceiling, tiles, metal frame, compounds |
| Knauf Thailand | 2013 | Saraburi | German-engineered drywall & ceiling systems, co-produced with SCG at the same Saraburi base |
| TOA Gypsum | 2021 | Samut Prakan | Standard, waterproof, fire-resistant, mold-resistant boards; No. 1 paint maker bundling gypsum with paint |
| DURA One (SCG) | 1984 | Bangkok HQ, nationwide | Fiber-cement roofing brand carrying a value-tier gypsum board line, price competitive in mass residential market |
Key market trends
- Rising demand for value-added, performance-differentiated board with enhanced moisture and fire resistance.
- Growing adoption of drywall in prefabricated and modular construction for faster, lighter, and more cost-efficient builds.
Emerging considerations
- Rising integration of smart technologies embedded sensors for temperature, humidity, and air quality into drywall products.
- Recycled gypsum from demolition waste or synthetic byproducts is gaining traction as a partial offset to reserve depletion.
The fastest-growing segment, powered by automotive and electronics
Thailand's abrasive market is projected to grow at a 7.5% CAGR through 2031, driven by expanding industrial manufacturing and rising demand for high-performance abrasive solutions.
- Automotive is the fastest-growing end-user segment, with electronics manufacturing services feeding demand across precision polishing, wafer-level processing, and PCB/power-module surface preparation.
- Expanded BOI A1+/A1 incentives eight-year tax holidays, duty-free machinery imports, and 50% electricity-tariff rebates lower the cost base for advanced-electronics projects that require abrasive tooling.
- US tariffs and trade policy uncertainty are expected to soften export demand, dampening manufacturing confidence and new capital investment.
Thailand abrasive products market size (US$ billion)
| Year | Market size |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 48.2 |
| 2026 | 51.8 |
| 2027 | 55.7 |
| 2028 | 59.9 |
| 2029 | 64.4 |
| 2030 | 69.2 |
| 2031 | 74.5 |
A fragmented field, open to differentiation on technology
Most competitors compete through specialized product portfolios and local manufacturing, creating opportunities for broader technology portfolios and premium industrial solutions to stand out.
| Company | Established (TH) | Location | Product focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Kinik Grinding Technology (MGT) | 1995 | Amata City Chonburi Industrial Estate, Chonburi | Vitrified and resinoid grinding wheels; industrial grinding wheels |
| Kure Grinding Wheel (Thailand) | 2014 | Amata City Rayong Industrial Estate, Pluak Daeng, Rayong | Grinding wheels, CBN wheels, diamond wheels, industrial abrasive coated materials |
| Fujiseiko (Thailand) | 1990 | Hi-Tech Industrial Estate, Bang Pa-In, Ayutthaya; Chonburi branch | Diamond tools, electroplated tools, general grinding wheels, precision grinding wheels, cutting wheels |
| 3M Thailand | 1967 | Ladkrabang Industrial Estate, Bangkok | Industrial abrasives, Scotch-Brite™, Cubitron™, sanding, cutting, grinding and finishing solutions |
| Klingspor Bangkok | 2014 | Jubilee Prestige Tower, Huai Khwang, Bangkok | Cutting discs, grinding discs, flap discs, abrasive sheets, rolls and belts |
- Demand is shifting toward longer-lasting, high-precision abrasives for automotive, metalworking, electronics, and aerospace applications as tolerances tighten.
- Growth in CNC machining, automation, and EV manufacturing is raising quality and precision requirements across industrial processes.
- Factory automation and Industry 4.0 adoption are driving demand for abrasives with stable performance, predictable tool life, and reliable output quality.
Demand shifting toward higher-value glazing
Thailand's high-performance glass market is growing rapidly, with automotive demand shifting toward higher-value glazing solutions for EVs, premium vehicles, ADAS, comfort, and energy efficiency.
- EVs and premium vehicles are accelerating demand for panoramic roofs, acoustic glass, solar-control glass, and larger glass surfaces.
- Expansion into fleet management, logistics, and public transportation has introduced solar-embedded glass into public transit systems.
- OEM pricing pressure and raw material volatility silica sand, soda ash, and energy costs continue to squeeze supplier margins.
Asia automotive glass market size (US$ billion)
| Year | Market size |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.5 |
| 2026 | 9.0 |
| 2027 | 9.5 |
| 2028 | 10.0 |
| 2029 | 10.6 |
| 2030 | 11.3 |
| 2031 | 11.9 |
AGC and Guardian anchor Thai manufacturing
The Thai-based automotive glass market is led by established local manufacturers such as AGC and Guardian, while aftermarket and global players compete through replacement services and advanced glazing technologies.
| Company | Established (TH) | Location | Product focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| AGC Automotive (Thailand) | 1974 | Chonburi | Automotive glass fabrication and sales; safety glass for windshields, side windows, and rear windows |
| Thai Malaya Glass (AGC) | 1963 | Samut Prakan, Chonburi, and Rayong | Float glass and processed glass for automotive safety glass, including front, side, and rear applications |
| Guardian Industries Rayong | N/D | Ban Khai, Rayong | Float glass, coated glass, laminated glass, and automotive-grade glass applications |
| Thai Auto Glass | N/D | Bang Phli, Samut Prakan | Automotive glass replacement and aftermarket automobile glass services |
- Growing EV production is increasing demand for lightweight, solar-control, acoustic, and panoramic automotive glass.
- Consumer preference for SUVs and premium vehicles is driving demand for larger windshields, panoramic roofs, and integrated glazing.
- Increasing adoption of ADAS, cameras, sensors, and head-up displays is accelerating demand for high-precision automotive glass.
- Smart glass technologies (e.g. suspended particle and polymer dispersed liquid crystal glazing) are enabling instant opacity adjustment, UV/IR blocking, and glare reduction.
A slow, steady rebound constrained by household debt
Thailand's tile market rebounds steadily after the COVID-19 downturn, supported by improving exports and increasing construction activity, though domestic demand growth remains constrained.
- Domestic demand grows slowly due to high household debt, tight lending standards, and severe regional flooding, delaying new private residential builds and renovations.
- Demand for tile adhesives in neighboring countries remains strong, particularly Vietnam, where consumers prefer tiled flooring.
- Many rural and independent contractors still rely on cheap, site-mixed sand-and-cement instead of pre-packaged, high-performance adhesives, capping premium penetration.
Thailand tile adhesive market size (US$ million)
| Year | Market size |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 131.0 |
| 2025 | 133.6 |
| 2026 | 136.3 |
| 2027 | 139.0 |
| 2028 | 141.8 |
Jorakay holds a commanding lead
Jorakay holds the leading position in Thailand's tile adhesive market with a share exceeding 50%, while the remainder is distributed among a mix of local and multinational competitors.
| Company | Established (TH) | Location | Product focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jorakay Corporation (Crocodile) | 1992 | Bangkok HQ; factory in Saraburi | Standard/general-purpose cement adhesive; tile grout range |
| Sika Thailand | 1989 | HQ & factory in Chonburi; factories in Saraburi and Rayong | Cement-based adhesive for ceramic, clay, and granito tile; adhesive for natural stone |
| Bostik (Thailand) | 2000s | Bangkok | Cement-based, high tensile adhesion (≥1.0 MPa) for ceramic/porcelain tile; epoxy tile-setting adhesives for high-traffic or hygiene-sensitive environments |
Key market trends
- Traditional sand-cement mixes are giving way to VAE/RDP polymer-modified adhesives and ready-mix pastes for flexibility and adhesion.
- Growing preference for large porcelain slabs and thin tiles is pushing demand toward higher-deformability (S1/S2-class) adhesives.
Compliance & channel shifts
- Compliance with Thailand's TIS 2194-2548 adhesive standard and GHS chemical registration is rising, alongside demand for low-VOC, formaldehyde-free formulations.
- E-commerce procurement and DIY-friendly ready-mix products are gaining traction on the back of post-pandemic home renovation demand.
A materials landscape rewarding technical differentiation
Across gypsum, abrasive products, automotive glass, and tile adhesives, Thailand's building and industrial materials markets share a common trajectory: steady-to-strong underlying growth, increasingly sophisticated end-customer requirements, and a structural shift toward premium, sustainability-aligned, and value-added products.
- Abrasive products offers the largest and fastest-growing opportunity, anchored to Thailand's automotive and electronics manufacturing expansion.
- Gypsum and automotive glass both benefit from clear structural tailwinds green building and vehicle electrification, respectively that support premiumization over the next five years.
- Tile adhesives is the most macro-sensitive segment, with growth gated by household balance sheets and construction activity rather than product innovation alone.
- Incumbent players (SCG-affiliated brands, AGC, Jorakay, 3M) hold strong local manufacturing footprints, meaning new entrants will need to compete on technology, service, or specialization rather than scale alone.
Source: Mobility Foresights, Grand View Research, The Insight Partners, Thailand BOI, Wood Mackenzie, BloombergNEF, InfoLink, Max Kinik Grinding Technology, Kure Grinding Wheel, Fujiseiko, 3M Thailand, Klingspor Thailand, AGC Automotive Thailand, AGC Flat Glass Thailand, Guardian Glass, DataForThai, Thai YellowPages, Fuyao Group, MarkLines, Industrial Outlook for Construction Materials Krungsri (2026), Bangkok Post (2026), Sagasia Research and Analysis. Published 2026.
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