The U.S. fire retardant treated wood market size was estimated to be over USD 85.0 million in 2016. Prevention of fire hazards, particularly in towns and cities, has led to an increased utilization of fire retardant treated wood. The increasing solution for flameproof materials for numerous applications such as interior framing, flooring, roofing, stairwell construction and decks is likely to drive the market.
U.S. fire retardant treated wood market for commercial application, 2014 - 2024 (USD Million)
Growth in the construction industry and gaining popularity of flameproof materials for construction is expected to drive the fire retardant treated wood market over the forecast period. Furthermore, increasing adaptation of fire inhibiting treated materials owing to personal safety will also add to the growth of the market.
The market is expected to benefit from the availability of natural timber such as pine and cedar which is commonly used for building materials owing to its properties. Moreover, the various applications of wood have resulted in the increased demand for these products. The wood market witnessed growth in the past and owing to personal safety concerns the market is expected to grow over the forecast period.
Increasing adoption of fire retardant treated wood for residential and commercial purposes on account of growth in the number of fire incidences. For instance, there was 358,500 home structure fire reported during 2011–2015 period. Nearly 2,510 deaths were recorded in these cases, and approximately 93% of civilian died in these home fires. Owing to the personal safety reasons the fire retardant treated wood industry is expected to witness growth in the coming future.
However, increasing health concerns among people are expected to impact the growth of the fire retardant treated wood industry. The chemicals used to treat the material are toxic in nature, which has a significant impact on human health.
Segmentation By Type
• Interior
• Exterior
Interior fire retardant treated segment dominated the market with an estimated value exceeding USD 70.0 million in 2016. The rising awareness for the use of fire retardant treated timber for the construction of buildings due to increasing wildfires and fire causalities. For instance, in August 2015, fire scientists wrote an open letter stating that flame retardants play a major role during fire incidents that occur due to an electrical short circuit and cooking equipment.
Exterior fire retardant treated wood is pressure treated, suitable for outside environments such as heat and rain, used for the construction of balconies, decks, shakes & shingles, stairways, siding, open air roof systems, trim & molding, soffit & fascia, scaffolding, and construction staging. The use of exterior FRTW has witnessed growth in last few years as it adds fire protection to the light constructions and lower cost for the installation. The segment is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of over 2.8% over the forecast period.
Segmentation By Application
• Residential
• Commercial
• Institutional
• Others
Residential was the largest application segment accounting for over 35% of the U.S. market share in 2016. Low installation cost and effectiveness of protecting the loss of life and property damage has spurred the usage of flame inhibitors for treated lumber. For instance, according to U.S fire administration, in 2015, there were 3,80,900 fire accidents in residential buildings causing 2,565 deaths, 11,475 injuries and property loss of USD 7.0 billion.
The commercial segment is expected to witness the second fastest growth on account of rising awareness regarding measures to reduce the incidents of fire outbreaks, particularly in restaurants and shopping centers. Its easy installation compared to cement and steel construction as well as the reduction in the loss of property is expected to result in an increasing demand for the product over the projected period.
Competitive Landscape
The market for fire retardant treated wood is fragmented with the presence of many active players. Westminster Industries, Quality Support LLC, and Chemco are some of the leading players in the U.S. market. Companies are focusing on product innovation to expand their share in global market.
Companies are also performing mergers and acquisitions to expand their global presence and to enhance their product portfolio. For instance, Stella-Jones acquired shares of Ram Forest Group Inc. and Ramfor Lumber Inc. in October 2015. Stella-Jones, a producer of treated wood products, paid USD 60 million to acquire the shares. The acquisition will enable Stella-Jones to enhance its offering in the retail market and to optimize its operating efficiency across networks.
