Industry Insights:
Non halogenated flame retardants (NHFR) are used to induce flame retardant property to the manufactured products mainly polymers and textiles. Flame retardants control flame production to prevent spread of fire. NHFR finds application in major end-use industries including electrical, transportation, and construction. Growth in these industries is expected to drive the market over the next five years. Need for durability, insulation, and safety is addressed by flame retardants in many applications. These emit less heat and produce less smoke compared to bioaccumulation which causes halogens dangerous for human health as well as environment. This advantageous factor is likely to augment NHFR market growth over the forecast period. Stringent regulatory policies over the usage of halogenated retardants in many countries is anticipated to have positive impact on non halogenated retardants market growth over the foreseeable future. EPA in U.S., WEE and REACH in Europe, and CEPA in Canada are few regulatory bodies protecting environment and consumers by various flame retardants policies regulation. Favorable market condition is expected to open new opportunities for the market participants over the next five years. However, their process function involves high loading and many drawbacks which is likely to hinder the market growth in near future.
Product Insights:
Aluminium hydroxide was the largest product segment of NHFR in terms of volume, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% over the foreseeable period. Phosphorous based product segment covered over 48% of the revenue in 2013. Phosphorous based retardant is growing at a CAGR of 8.2% and is expected to be the largest product segment in terms of revenue over the next five years.
Application Insights:
Epoxy resins and UPE trailed by polyolefins are the major application segment of non halogenated retardants in terms of volume as well as revenue in 2013, and the trend is expected to continue over the next five years. Styrenics has been the lowest performing segment over the recent past, while rubber was the slowest growing segment and is expected to witness the same over the forecast period. other applications include PVC and ETP.
End-Use Insights:
Construction sector was the major application segment in 2013. About 34% of the total revenue generated in 2013 was from this industry. Electrical industry was the second major and fastest growing application segment of NHFR. Growth in electrical industry on account of growing infrastructure spending in emerging nations is expected to drive the market over the foreseeable future. Furniture and textile was the least sharing application segment in 2013 and is expected to experience the same over the next five years.
Regional Insights:
North America was the dominant market accounting for over 38% of the total volume share in 2013, and is expected to grow at CAGR of 6.8% over the forecast period. Stringent regulatory system regarding usage of halogenated retardants is expected to drive the market over the foreseeable future. Increasing infrastructure spending in emerging nations of Asia Pacific such as India and China is expected to have positive impact on NHFR market in the region. RoW was the lowest regional market owing to leniency in fire control regulation. However, increasing awareness among consumers regarding fire safety and control is likely to boss the market demand in this region over the next five years.
Competitive Insights:
NHFR market is moderately fragmented by large number of players accounting for over 65% of the total market share. Some key players operating in the global market include Chemtura, Albemarle, Clariant International Ltd, ICL, Huber Engineered Materials, BASF SE, Italmatch Chemicals, Thor Group Ltd., FRX Polymers, Lanxess AG, DuPont, and Delamin.
