Flame Retardant Chemicals

Report Highlights

• The 2005 projected consumption of flame retardant chemicals worldwide is 2.9 billion pounds. BCC estimates this volume will grow 3.5% annually and reach 3.4 billion pounds worldwide by 2010.
• Price increases for most products, except alumina trihydrate, should impact the average annual growth rate of the market’s sales. In 2005, sales are estimated to be approximately $3.5 billion worldwide. This figure should reach $4.6 billion by 2010 with an average annual growth rate of 5.6%.
• The continuation of fire safety standards in the U.S. and abroad should impact the sales increase. Additionally, the largest country in the world, China, has opened its borders to Western products, providing new opportunities for companies with the ability to do business in the region. Environmental and health concerns over halogenated flame retardant chemicals should also allow additional market share for halogen replacements.

INTRODUCTION

Government regulations and industry standards obligate manufacturers to add flame retardant chemicals to a wide range of products used every day. The irony of this industry is that some of these flame retardant products, while responsible for saving countless lives, are toxic. In order to protect consumers and the environment, regulations are in place limiting the use of some flame retardants in specific applications. The benefits of protecting people from death, and property from damage resulting from fires must be weighed against exposure to chemicals that are potentially harmful to human health and the environment. The impact these regulations have on the industry is multi-dimensional. This study will discuss the flame retardant chemicals market resulting from this balancing act between fire retardant requirements and environmental regulations.

Flame Retardant Chemicals reviews global markets for flame retardant chemicals, and forecasts trends and sales in these markets through 2010. The major chemicals, applications and industries using these products are discussed. The regulations driving this market are also reviewed. The impact of regulations on the market globally is evaluated. Estimates of market share by product application and chemical types are provided. Regional consumption by chemical and by application is presented. The industry structure, including major suppliers, is also discussed.

Flame Retardant Chemicals is a detailed report covering the plastics, textiles, wood/paper, coatings/paper, coatings/construction and coatings/decorations market applications. The report will assist in strategic planning for companies supplying flame retardants to customers in these markets, as well as end users of flame retardants and flame-retarded products.

SCOPE OF STUDY

The report contains:

• Evaluations of chemicals by retardant mechanism and chemical type, and by end-use application
• An assessment of the plastics industry's segments
• The current flame retardant chemicals market, assessed and compared to historical market performance
• Projected sales for the industry as a whole, forecast by application and type.
• Market values on a regional and worldwide scale
• The impact of the industries using flame retardant products.
• Industry structure and company profiles.

METHODOLOGY

BCC evaluates each flame retardant chemical application and type. To make projections for the future of the flame retardant chemicals market, a correlation between products using flame retardant chemicals and the annual sales of flame retardant chemicals was developed. Interviews were conducted with raw material suppliers, flame retardant chemical companies, and end user company representatives to compile a full picture of the future of the flame retardant chemical marketplace.

INFORMATION SOURCES

Hundreds of information sources contributed to this study, including interviews with industry experts, research databases, technical abstracts, commerce publications, government sources, financial and trade information, library resources and the internet.

AUTHOR'S CREDENTIALS

Mary Campbell Roth earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and has 15 years of technical experience. She was worked in several industries, including chemicals, minerals, and paper. Her responsibilities included providing field service to mineral and chemical end users, as well as publishing technical and marketing information in these markets.