Cleveland, Ohio - Demand for flame retardants in the US will expand 6 percent per year to 1.1 billion lb (5 million tonnes) in 2016, due to growth in the construction industry, particularly for new housing, according to a new report from Freedonia Group.
The market research firm said the shift in product mix toward lower cost non-halogenated flame retardants will be offset by their higher loading levels, with overall sales of flame retardants rising 7.8 percent per annum to $1.2 billion in 2016.
The report, Flame Retardants, notes that the construction market accounted for 38 percent of total flame retardant demand by volume in 2011. It predicts that double-digit annual growth in both residential and nonresidential building spending in the years to 2016 will lead to robust gains for flame retardants in insulation materials such as foamed polyurethane.
Other important factors include the ongoing rebound in the US automotive industry. "Rising vehicle production levels, the increased use of lighter weight plastic and composite materials that offer improved fuel efficiency, and elevated temperatures in under-the-hood applications due to smaller, hotter running engines will all contribute to increasing flame retardant demand," Freedonia said.
Flame Retardants (published 09/2012, 245 pp) is available for $4900 from Cleveland, Ohio-based Freedonia Group Inc. See more at www.freedoniagroup.com. "
