Electricity makes our lives more convenient – but unfortunately also more dangerous. The boom in e-mobility, charging stations, batteries and photovoltaic systems is increasing the need for chemicals that prevent plastics and other flammable materials from igniting or at least slow down fires. Ceresana has analyzed the global market for all types of fire retardants for the seventh time: including brominated and chlorinated flame retardants as well as ATH, organophosphorus, ATO and other additives. The new market study provides figures on demand and revenue for the entire flame retardant market, as well as demand volumes for the individual grades and their applications: Around 2.19 million metric tonnes of flame retardants are used worldwide each year.
Cables and Insulation Materials Need Fire Protection
Large quantities of fire-retardant coatings and gelcoats are needed for cars, but also for public transportation. Virtually all materials can be protected against fire and fire consequences, whether plastics, textiles, wood or paper. Ceresana expects the greatest increase in demand for flame retardants to come from the automotive industry sector: the market researchers anticipate an annual growth rate of around 3.1% in this sector until 2030. Currently consuming almost one-third of total production, the construction industry is expected to remain the largest consumer of flame retardants. Fire retardants are essential for insulating foams, but also, for example, for the sheathing of steel girders in buildings. Electrical and electronic equipment is the second largest application area for flame retardants, with a worldwide consumption of around 525,000 metric tonnes. Highly efficient synergistic combinations of different flame retardants are increasingly being developed, and fire retardants are being tailored specifically for certain applications.
Seeking Environmentally Compatible Flame Retardant Types
Many flame retardants are controversial because of their potential impact on health and the environment. For instance, they can accumulate in living organisms or release toxins. The recycling of plastics containing flame retardants is also a challenge. Halogen-free aluminum hydroxide, also known as aluminum trihydroxide, is considered relatively environmentally friendly: ATH is by far the world’s best-selling flame retardant, with a current market share of 38%. Brominated flame retardants, which are used particularly in electrical products and foams but are considered problematic, come in second. Government regulations and legal requirements, such as the European Union’s RoHS Directive on the restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, result in significant regional differences: In Western Europe and North America, brominated compounds account for only 5.1% and 11% of the market, respectively – while in Asia they account for 28.4%. Overall, most flame retardants are consumed in Asia-Pacific: This region of the world currently accounts for around 46% of total demand for flame retardants.
Current Industry Analysis on Flame Retardants
Chapter 1 provides a presentation and analysis of the global flame retardants market, including forecasts up to 2030: demand and revenues are detailed for each region of the world. In addition, global and regional flame retardant demand per product type and per application area is analyzed. The following flame retardant types are considered in detail: Aluminum Trihydroxide (ATH), brominated compounds, chlorinated compounds, organophosphorus, antimony compounds (ATO) and other flame retardants. The study also takes an in-depth look at the application areas for flame retardants: construction materials, electrical & electronics, wires & cables, transport industry, and other applications.
Chapter 2 provides a detailed analysis of flame retardant revenues and demand for the 16 countries with the largest national markets. Demand is broken down for individual applications and product types.
Chapter 3 provides useful company profiles of the most important manufacturers of flame retardants, clearly arranged by contact details, sales, profit, product range, production sites and brief profile. Detailed profiles are provided for 91 flame retardant producers, such as Ajinomoto Fine-Techno, Altana, CHT, Clariant, Colorobbia, CTF2000, Daihachi Chemical Industry, Lanxess, Metadynea Austria, Nabaltec, and Schill+Seilacher.
Further Information about the Market Study “Flame Retardants (7th edition)“: https://www.ceresana.com/en/market-studies/chemicals/flame-retardants/
About Ceresana
As one of the world’s leading market research institutes, Ceresana specializes in the chemicals, plastics, packaging and industrial goods sectors. Since 2002, companies have benefited from high-quality industry analyses and forecasts. Over 200 market studies provide more than 10,000 clients around the world with the knowledge base for sustainable success.
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