In 2018, the US commercial market for ceilings totaled 92% of value demand, a share that is projected to remain consistent going forward, according to a new Freedonia Group study. However, while baffles, clouds, and other costly, high-performance ceiling products keep commercial sales high, design innovation and evolving consumer trends are turning traditionally commercial-only products like ceiling tiles into must-have items for homeowners.

According to The Freedonia Group’s new study on the US landscaping products market, consumers are crazy about outdoor living, and it’s positively impacting demand for higher value hardscape products and outdoor heating implements. Outdoor living can be characterized by such activities as: • lounging (e.g., reading or watching TV) • cooking and dining • entertaining guests • gardening and landscaping • tailgating

Global demand for bonded abrasives is forecast to rise 5.0% per year to $16.9 billion in 2023. Growth will be driven by durable goods manufacturing industries worldwide, with particularly strong gains expected in the Asia/Pacific region.

China is home to two of the loudest cities in the world – Guangzhou and Beijing. According to a recent article in The Guardian, “Guangzhou, China, ranked as having the worst levels of noise pollution in the world, followed by Cairo, Paris, Beijing and Delhi.”

Demand for roofing underlayment is forecast to rise 5.0% annually to $1.5 billion in 2023, outpacing market gains for roofing accessories overall. In area terms, roofing underlayment demand is projected to advance 2.8% per year to 190.0 million squares in 2023.

Demand for pouches is expected to grow 3.7% per year to $10.6 billion by 2023. Pouch design continues to evolve and now is expanding to include convenience-focused closure and fitment innovations that were once only available on rigid packaging.

US shipments of air conditioning equipment from domestic suppliers reached $8.5 billion in 2018, when they accounted for 75% of domestic air conditioning equipment demand. However, the US has a sizable trade deficit, which was equivalent to 22% of demand in 2018.

A new Freedonia study finds that the Chinese market for internal combustion engine, air, and fluid filters will approach $18 billion in 2022, and remain the largest in the world. Among the factors driving market growth, efforts by regulators to curb the nation’s notorious air pollution problem, such as by raising filtration standards, will continue to have an impact.

In the nearly $4.0 trillion global e-commerce market, East and West is largely divided by the presence of Alibaba and Amazon – with the former dominating the Asia/Pacific region due to its stronghold in China and the latter leading in more affluent areas such as the US and the EU. Currently, geographic overlap between the two is minimal. In fact, Amazon recently announced it is closing its online store in China to focus on other markets, although the company will continue to sell cross-border into China for orders placed through its stores based in other countries.

Demand for membranes in the water treatment market is forecast to advance 5.8% per year to $8.3 billion in 2023. Growth will be driven in part by the implementation of more stringent quality regulations for water streams in both developed and developing markets.