Flame Retardants Market

Updated on : April 05, 2024

Flame Retardants Market

The global flame retardants market was valued at USD 7.0 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 9.5 billion by 2028, growing at 5.2% cagr from 2023 to 2028. Building and construction is one of the major end-use industry of flame retardants. For building projects to be granted licenses and clearances, compliance with fire safety laws is essential. Construction materials need flame retardants in order to meet the local building authorities' fire performance standards. Materials used in constructions are frequently required to meet certain fire safety standards under building and construction rules. Flame retardants are essential to ensure that construction materials, such as insulation, flooring, coatings, and cables, comply with these regulations.

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Flame Retardants Market Dynamics

Driver: Strict fire safety guidelines to increase the demand for flame retardants in various applications

Strict fire safety guidelines and regulations indeed play a significant role in driving the demand for flame retardants across various industries. Government agencies and industry-specific regulatory bodies often establish stringent fire safety guidelines and standards that mandate the use of flame retardants in certain applications. Companies and manufacturers must comply with these requirements to ensure the safety of their products and operations. Building standards and fire safety regulations are particularly important to the construction business. These standards outline the fire performance specifications for building materials, and they usually call for the use of flame-retardant materials in crucial places like wiring, insulation, and structural elements. All these factors drive the market for flame retardants globally.

Restraints : Harmful chemicals used in flame retardants

Traditional flame retardants, especially those using bromine or chlorine, have been linked to threats to the environment and human health. These substances have the ability to accumulate in organisms, remain in the environment, and harm ecosystems. Regulation limits and a move towards more environmentally friendly options have been brought about by worries about these detrimental environmental effects. Some flame retardants have been associated with harmful health effects in people. For instance, several brominated flame retardants have been linked to neurological and developmental issues and are considered endocrine disruptors. Health concerns have prompted calls for the reduction or elimination of these chemicals in consumer products.

Opportunities: Rising demand for wires & cables globally

The demand for wires and cables globally is driven by a wide range of industries and applications. Wires and cables are fundamental components in various sectors, including electrical and electronic equipment, construction, automotive, telecommunications, energy, and manufacturing. Rapid urbanization and infrastructure development projects in emerging economies have led to increased demand for electrical wiring and cabling in buildings, transportation systems, and utilities. With the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and the expansion of renewable energy systems, there is an increased demand for flame-retardant cables to ensure the safety and reliability of these technologies.

Challenges: Growing emphasis on environmental protection and sustainability

The growing emphasis on environmental protection is indeed a major challenge for the flame retardants market. While flame retardants play a crucial role in fire safety, there are concerns about the environmental and health impacts of certain types of flame retardants. Some traditional flame retardants, particularly those containing bromine or chlorine, can be persistent organic pollutants. These chemicals can persist in the environment, accumulate in ecosystems, and have the potential to disrupt wildlife and ecosystems. Concerns about these environmental impacts have led to regulations and restrictions in various regions. Governments and regulatory bodies in many countries have implemented or strengthened regulations aimed at phasing out or restricting the use of specific harmful flame retardants. These regulations can limit the market for products containing these chemicals.

Flame Retardants Market Ecosystem

Prominent companies in this market include well-established, financially stable manufacturers of flame retardants. These companies have been in business for a while and have a broad range of products, cutting-edge technologies, and robust international sales and marketing networks. Prominent companies in this market include Albemarle Corporation (US), Clariant AG (Switzerland), LANXESS AG (Germany), BASF SE (Germany), ICL Group Ltd. (Israel), Nabaltec AG (Germany), Huber Engineered Materials (US), ADEKA Corporation (Japan), Italmatch Chemicals S.p.A. (Italy), and Avient Corporation (US).

Based on type, nitrogen is projected to register highest CAGR, in terms of value, during the forecast period.

The plastics industry is a significant consumer of nitrogen-based flame retardants. These flame retardants are added to polymers, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyurethane, to make plastic products safer by reducing their flammability. Common applications include electronics casings, automotive parts, and construction materials. Nitrogen-based flame retardants are also used in textiles and fabrics to enhance fire resistance. Flame-retardant clothing, upholstery, and curtains are examples of products where these chemicals may be employed to meet fire safety standards.

Based on end-use industry, building & construction was the largest segment for flame retardants market, in terms of value, in 2022.

A wide variety of construction applications, including residential dwellings, apartment buildings, commercial structures, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and industrial facilities, use flame-retardant materials. While fire safety is a primary concern, there is also a growing emphasis on environmentally friendly flame-retardant options that have minimal environmental and health impacts. These eco-friendly options are gaining importance in the construction industry. The development of more efficient and environmentally friendly flame-retardant formulations for building materials is a goal of ongoing research and development. The performance and safety of building goods are improved overall because to advancements in flame retardant technology.

Based on application, polyolefins was the largest segment for flame retardants market, in terms of value, in 2022.

Flame-retardant polyolefins are used in industrial applications where fire safety is a concern, such as in the manufacturing of machinery and equipment. Flame-retardant polyolefins are utilized in power cables and insulation materials in the energy and utilities sector to guarantee the secure transfer of electricity. Increasing demand for wires & cables end-use industry drives the market for flame retardants in polyolefin application.

“Asia Pacific accounted for the largest market share for flame retardants market, in terms of value, in 2022”

Stricter safety and environmental standards are being implemented and enforced by governments and regulatory agencies across the Asia Pacific area. Flame retardants are frequently required under these rules in a variety of goods and sectors. Increasing awareness among consumers about fire safety and the potential hazards of non-flame-retardant products has driven the demand for flame-retardant materials in everyday consumer goods. In general, the Asia-Pacific region's fast industrialization, urbanization, and growing emphasis on safety and regulatory compliance across many industries are all intimately related to the region's demand for flame retardants. The demand for flame retardants in the Asia Pacific area is anticipated to stay strong as long as these trends exist.

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Flame Retardants Market Players

Albemarle Corporation (US), Clariant AG (Switzerland), LANXESS AG (Germany), BASF SE (Germany), ICL Group Ltd. (Israel), Nabaltec AG (Germany), Huber Engineered Materials (US), ADEKA Corporation (Japan), Italmatch Chemicals S.p.A. (Italy), and Avient Corporation (US). among others, these are the key manufacturers that secured major market share in the last few years.

Flame Retardants Market Report Scope

This report categorizes the global Flame retardants market based on type, application, end-use industry and region.

On the basis of type, the flame retardants market has been segmented as follows:

• Aluminum trihydrate (ATH)
• Antimony Oxide
• Brominated
• Chlorinated
• Phosphorus
• Nitrogen
• Others

On the basis of application, the flame retardants market has been segmented as follows:

• Epoxy
• Polyolefins
• Unsaturated polyesters
• Polyvinyl chloride
• Polyurethane
•  ABS & blends
• Polystyrene
• Others

On the basis of end-use industry, the flame retardants market has been segmented as follows:

• Building & Construction
• Electronics & Appliances
• Automotive & Transportation
• Wires & Cables
• Textiles
• Others

On the basis of region, the flame retardants market has been segmented as follows:

• Asia Pacific
• North America
• Western Europe
• Central & Eastern Europe
• Middle East & Arica
• South America

Recent Developments

• In January 2022, Huber Engineered Materials completed the acquisition of MAGNIFIN Magnesiaprodukte GmbH & Co. KG (“MAGNIFIN”). MAGNIFIN’s products are sold globally by Martinswerk GmbH as part of the HEM Fire Retardant Additives (FRA) strategic business unit, which produces a wide range of halogen-free fire retardants, smoke suppressants, and specialty aluminum oxides.
• In January 2020, BASF closed the acquisition of Solvay’s polyamide (PA 6.6) business. The transaction broadened BASF’s polyamide capabilities with innovative products. With the acquisition of Solvay’s polyamide business, BASF had its first Underwriter Laboratories (UL) certified lab in Asia, adding to its existing labs.
• In March 2020, Clariant collaborated with Floreon to expand its high-performance biopolymer applications to additional markets. The companies will work together on a broad range of additives such as stabilizers, flame retardants, and surface aids.
• In December 2021, Nabaltec AG expanded its production capacities for boehmite at the Schwandorf site, Germany, by investing an amount in the mid-double-digit million range. Production output will be more than doubled from 10,000 to 25,000 tons per year. Commissioning is slated for the second half of 2023.

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