Global Acoustic Insulation

Report Overview

This study analyzes global demand for acoustic insulation. Historical data (2008, 2013, and 2018) and forecasts for 2023 and 2028 are provided for acoustic insulation demand by material and market (in dollars and metric tons) on a leading country-by-country basis. Demand in value terms is shown at the manufacturers’ level and excludes distributor and retailer markups.

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Materials broken out include:

• foamed plastic
• fiberglass
• mineral wool
• other materials (e.g., cellulose, cotton, perlite, vermiculite, aerogel, calcium silicate, and all other acoustic insulation materials)

Scope and Executive Summary

The major market segments analyzed are:

• residential buildings
• nonresidential buildings
• industrial and plant equipment
• HVAC/air distribution equipment
• transportation equipment
• other insulation markets (e.g., appliances, nonbuilding/infrastructure construction, and heavy mobile machinery)

Through 2023, global demand for acoustic insulation is forecast to rise 4.9% per year to $11.4 billion. Market advances will be driven by:

• increasingly stringent noise pollution and worker safety regulations in North America and Western Europe
• the rapid expansion of the nonresidential construction market in the Asia/Pacific region, particularly in China
• rising standards of living in the developing world, supporting demand for high-end motor vehicles and appliances, as well as residential improvement and repair activity
• rising production of aerospace equipment, HVAC equipment, and industrial equipment, all of which intensively use acoustic insulation

Key Findings in the Global Acoustic Insulation Study:

Asia/Pacific Region to Account for Nearly Half of Global Demand Growth Through 2023

Through 2023, the Asia/Pacific region will account for a significant portion of global value gains, driven by:

• a robust expansion of China’s nonresidential building stock
• continued production of industrial equipment and high-end motor vehicles, heavy machinery, and appliances in Japan and South Korea
• a growing market for acoustic insulation products in large construction markets such as India and Indonesia
• strong growth in HVAC equipment production, as the Asia/Pacific region will remain the largest regional manufacturer of HVAC equipment

Foamed Plastic to Remain the Dominant Insulation Material

Despite the popularity of fiberglass in North America and of mineral wool in Eastern Europe, foamed plastic is projected to account for the majority of value gains globally through 2023. Strong expansion of the acoustic insulation market in the Asia/Pacific region – where foamed plastic is the most used insulation material – will strengthen the material’s leading position. Additionally, foamed plastic suppliers will benefit from advances in the nonresidential market, which is expected to be the fastest growing, as nonresidential buildings are intensive users of foamed plastic.

Nonresidential Building Market Continues to Drive the Global Acoustic Insulation Market

In 2018, nonresidential buildings accounted for the largest single share of global acoustic insulation demand, a share that is expected to climb through 2023 as construction activity and practices in developing countries improve. The nonresidential market is projected to also rank as the fastest growing through 2023, due in part to the rapid pace of nonresidential building activity in China and other emerging markets in Asia/Pacific.

Study Coverage

This Freedonia industry study analyzes the $9.0 billion global acoustic insulation market. It presents historical demand data (2008, 2013, and 2018) and forecasts for 2023 and 2028 by material (foamed plastic, fiberglass, mineral wool, and other) and market (residential building, nonresidential building, industrial and plant equipment, HVAC/air distribution, transportation equipment, and other). The study also shows company market share and analyzes major suppliers such as Armacell International, BASF, Berkshire Hathaway (Johns Manville), Covestro, CSR, Fletcher Building, Huntsman, K-Flex, Kingspan, Knauf Gips, Owens Corning, Recticel, ROCKWOOL International, Saint-Gobain, and Xella International.