Europe Passive Fire Protection Market Size & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Cementitious Materials, Intumescent Coating, Fireproofing Cladding), By Application, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Industry Insights

The Europe passive fire protection market size was estimated at USD 586.3 million in 2017 and is expected to register a CAGR of 4.7% over the forecast period. The growing emphasis on reduction of Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) content in the epoxy-based intumescent coatings by various governments is anticipated to augment market growth.

The market is expected to witness significant growth owing to rising demand from the warehousing industry due to the increased use of steel in structure fabrication. In addition, rising product penetration in the manufacturing sector to minimize the structural damage and improve the shelf life of the steel is likely to fuel the growth over the forecast period.

The stringent regulations in Germany pertaining to the construction of high-rise buildings coupled with extensive application of passive fire protection products in these structures is anticipated to augment market product in the country. In addition, the long duration of fire protection, coupled with the ability to aid acoustic insulation is expected to propel the market over the forecast period.

Cementitious material based passive fire protection accounts for a significant share in the construction application on account of properties such as superior abrasion, impact resistance, and high thickness achievability in a single coat with minimal spray rebound. In addition, excellent adhesion to a variety of metal substrate surfaces is likely to fuel demand.

Furthermore, increasing demand for water-based intumescent coatings on account of superior weather resistance is expected to propel the market over the projected period. The rising demand for energy-efficient green building infrastructure coupled with a growing emphasis on improving the overall safety is expected to augment demand for passive fire protection over the forecast period.

The stringent government regulations to ensure the compliance of construction companies to fire prevention norms is expected to drive the market growth in Europe. Widening application scope of various passive fire protection products in residential, commercial, and industrial infrastructure is likely to boost market growth over the forecast period. However, the volatile price of epoxy resins owing to fluctuating raw material prices is expected to restrain growth over the forecast period.

Product Insights

Cementitious material emerged as the leading product segment valued at over USD 255.6 million in 2017. Rapid industrialization, coupled with an increase in the use of steel in industries for structure fabrication, is expected to be the key drivers for the growth of cementitious material based passive fire protection over the forecast period.

Increasing application of steel structures in infrastructure development coupled with rising concern to prevent the structural damage caused due to accidents, is expected to drive the product segment growth. Furthermore, the easier sourcing of raw materials for cementitious materials from industries, including thermal power stations, cement, and metal processing is expected to result in reduced prices, thereby augmenting the product demand.

Fireproofing cladding segment is anticipated to witness growth at a CAGR of over 4.4% from 2018 to 2025 on account of the rising consumer awareness in Europe regarding the ability of fire barriers and firestops to prevent the fire from spreading. In addition, the ability of fireproofing cladding products such as foams, seal bags, and putty pads to restore the fire rating of the buildings by sealing the openings and gaps in the wall & floor penetrations are likely to complement product growth.

Intumescent coatings are a type of passive fire protection that works by charring and expanding in the presence of excessive heat. These coatings are used to provide fire resistance to structural framework consisting mainly of steel by swelling around 25 times their original thickness when in contact with fire. This, in turn, subsequently increases the volume of intumescent and decreasing their density, thereby slowing down the heating of substrate underneath the coating.

Application Insights

The construction sector was the dominant application segment and accounted for a revenue share of over 36.3% in 2015, on account of the increasing application of fireproofing cladding products in commercial and residential buildings to compartmentalize the smoke and flames in the event of accidents and prevent spreading.

Furthermore, rising demand for new commercial and residential infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe particularly in Belgium, Austria, and Poland on account of the increasing influx of migrants is expected to drive the demand in the region over the forecast period. The rising penetration of decorative intumescent coating in high scale housing projects on account of improved aesthetic and visual appearance is expected to boost Europe passive fire protection market growth.

Rising demand for broader energy efficient and fire safe infrastructure in Europe is expected to drive the product demand over the forecast period. Stringent safety regulations from regulatory agencies including EAPFP, DIBt, and LEED ensures the construction contractors employ passive fire products in the buildings to comply with the safety standards of buildings in the region.

Favorable trade policies coupled with stringent measures being taken by the government to restructure the economic policies in Europe is expected to drive the investment in the industrial sector in the region, which in turn is expected to drive the market demand. Rising use of intumescent coatings in industries including marine, aerospace, and automotive owing to the superior fireproofing rating for longer duration is expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period.

Regional Insights

Central and Eastern Europe are expected to witness a significant share for passive fire protection products on account of rising demand from industries including construction, oil & gas, and warehousing. Rapid industrialization in Europe on account of improved interstate connectivity and transportation infrastructure is expected to drive the market demand.

Implementation of legislative policies by the governments mandating the effective use of passive fire protection products in the residential and commercial buildings is expected to drive the market demand over the forecast period. However, slower economic recovery in Western Europe is expected to restrain market growth.

In addition, improvement in the construction sector on account of the rising purchasing power of consumers and lower returns on financial investment is expected to fuel the growth over the forecast period. Significant investment by aerospace and automotive companies in improving the safety standards of the vehicle and aircraft structure is expected to drive the product demand for in Europe over the forecast period.

The increasing penetration of intumescent coatings in shipbuilding to protect the structural steel damage of vessels and containers carrying chemicals and petrochemicals in the event of a fire is expected to drive the market demand for passive fire protection in these niche market application in Europe over the forecast period.

Europe Passive Fire Protection Market Share Insights

Europe passive fire protection market players include AkzoNobel N.V., Nullifire, The Sherwin-Williams Company, and RPM International Inc. AkzoNobel N.V. is involved in the production of performance coatings and specialty chemicals. Nullifire is involved in manufacturing and marketing of intumescent fire protective coatings for structural steel, ships, metals, buildings, and automobiles.

In addition, the company is involved in manufacturing a range of fire stopping solutions, including cavity barriers, sealants & movement gap seals, and wall & floor penetration sealing. In March 2016, Nullifire launched SC802 water-based intumescent coating for 60-minute on-site protection. This product is more economical and efficient as compared to other similar products. It is easy to spray and provides a superior finish to the substrate.

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