Global non-halogenated flame retardant market for polymers to reach US$2.15 bln in 2018

02-Jul-13

Demand for non-halogenated flame retardants was 1,077.8 kilo tons in 2011 and is expected to reach 1,730 kilo tons in 2018, growing at a CAGR of 7.1 % from 2012 to 2018. In terms of revenue, the market was valued at US$1.26 bn in 2011 and is expected to reach US$2.15 bln 2018, growing at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2012 to 2018. The global demand for non-halogenated flame retardants is expected to be driven by fire safety regulations concerning risk of fire hazards in end-use industries such as electrical and construction. Halogenated retardants are considered to be toxic and have adverse effects on human and animal life, owing to which end-use industries are now shifting towards non-halogenated flame retardants. However, issues in functional properties such as loading levels may restrain market demand in the coming years. North America accounted for 41.8% of the global non-halogenated flame retardants market in 2012, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific with 33.3% and 22.5% market share respectively. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing market for non-halogenated flame retardants owing to growth of major end-use industries in China and India. Aluminum hydroxide, which finds application in construction and electrical equipment accounted for over 70% of the total market demand in 2012. Phosphorus based non-halogenated flame retardants are expected to have highest CAGR of 7.7% for period from 2012 to 2018 owing to its benefits in mechanical properties and loading levels. Non-halogenated flame retardants are majorly used in the construction industry for building materials, paints, coatings, wires and cables across the globe. The construction industry accounted for 41.4% market share in 2012. Electrical industry is expected to be the fastest growing end-use industry with a CAGR of 7.6% for the period from 2012 to 2018, owing to increasing application of non-halogenated flame retardants in the polymers used in electrical equipment. Non-halogenated flame retardants also find applications as additives in various polymers such as polyolefins, epoxy resins, UPE, ETP, rubber, styrenics and PVC. Polyolefins accounted for 23.1% share of the market in 2012, whereas Engineering Thermoplastic (ETP) retardant demand is expected to be the fastest growing application at an estimated CAGR of 7.6% from 2012 to 2018.