Global Countertops

Global Countertops

Global demand for countertops is forecast to increase an average of 3.0% per year to 652 million square meters in 2028, valued at $49.5 billion. Market advances will be supported by rising installations of countertops – which continue to be selected over freestanding or wall-mounted fixtures in kitchens and bathrooms – for both residential and nonresidential applications. Additionally, demand will be bolstered by increased residential remodeling, as countertop replacement remains one of the most popular ways to update kitchens and bathrooms.

While real demand growth is expected to accelerate through 2028, market value will decelerate as prices for most countertop materials moderate from elevated 2023 levels that resulted from pandemic-related price spikes in 2021 and 2022.

Porcelain Slab Taking Advantage of Recent Weakness in the Engineered Stone Market

Porcelain slab has seen its popularity skyrocket over the last decade due to its aesthetics, durability, and stain resistance, and the material is expected to double its share of the global countertops market by 2028. While its market size will remain small relative to some of the other major countertop materials, it is making inroads among consumers and builders who would have previously chosen engineered stone, which offers many of the same performance advantages of porcelain slab.

After nearly a decade of double-digit growth, engineered stone demand plummeted in 2023, due primarily to a weak residential market in the US (the largest user of engineered stone globally). However, potential future difficulties for this material were signaled by Australia, which passed a national ban (to begin in mid-2024) on engineered stone products. While engineered stone demand is expected to grow at a solid rate throughout the forecast period, there is the possibility that this material could see more widespread regulation, with consumers potentially opting instead for porcelain slab in even greater numbers than expected.

Developing Markets for Countertops Offer Significant Sales Opportunities

Developing countries with strong building construction activity and relatively low countertop usage rates – including a number of Southeast Asian and African countries – will generally see the fastest demand growth going forward. Rising incomes will prompt consumers or building owners to improve their existing living spaces or build more modern housing. For some, these improvements will include a shift from freestanding furniture pieces and wall-mounted fixtures to fitted kitchens and bathrooms with cabinets, which often have countertops installed with them.

Study Description

This Freedonia industry study analyzes the $41.9 billion global countertops industry. It presents historical demand data (2013, 2018, and 2023) and forecasts (2028 and 2033) by product (solid surface and other cast polymers, laminates, engineered stone, natural stone, porcelain slab, other), market (residential, nonresidential), area of installation (kitchen, bathroom, other) and major global region and country. Annual historical data and forecasts are also provided from 2020 to 2027. The study also evaluates company market share and competitive analysis on industry competitors including Wilsonart, Cosentino, Caesarstone, VICOSTONE, Formica, Panolam, DuPont, and Cambria.