The future of welded wire reinforcement adoption and its market in the Philippines : a technology foresight by 2023 / Alexis A. Dogwe

Date :  May 2018
Number of Pages : 41 leaves
Adviser : Prof. Glen A. Imbang

Abstract

This study utilized the ten-stage scenario building process as a technology foresight tool to identify possible future scenarios for the adoption of welded wire reinforcement (WWR), and its market, in the Philippines. Though WWR is yet to be adopted in the country, it is seen that by 2023, at least two percent or 140,000 metric tons of the concrete reinforcement requirement of the country will account to WWR. Through studies abroad, consultation with experts and key persons involved in the ongoing construction of WWR facilities in the country, key drivers for WWR adoption were identified such as local WWR supply and consumer awareness. From these drivers, three possible future scenarios by 2023 were developed. The first scenario states that the adoption of WWR will help fast track the infrastructure projects of both private institutions and the government. The second scenario tells that the national demand for WWR will exceed the production capacity of the country. Lastly, for the third scenario, the adoption of WWR will open the door for the adoption of other rebar downstream products. These scenarios were then assessed and its implications to strategic planning were discussed. To prepare for these future scenarios, it is recommended that local manufacturing facilities start introducing WWR and other downstream products in the local market. Once WWR adoption starts, production capacity of the country must be increased by setting up facilities distributed across the country, to ensure that supply of WWR will be sufficient by 2023. Collaboration between consumers, experts, local steel manufacturers, and the government is highly recommended and will play a big role to better serve the local market.