Europe Fireproof Cladding Market (2021 - 2028)

Report Overview

The Europe fireproof cladding market size was valued at USD 14.64 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1% from 2021 to 2028. Stringent fire safety regulations in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, made by governments across Europe are expected to drive the demand for fireproof claddings in the projected period. The COVID-19 outbreak in Europe has negatively impacted the construction industries on account of the closure of construction operations and relative services. Suspension of trade across the globe and European region has further disrupted the demand-supply of construction materials in 2020, thus negatively impacted the market.

The market in the U.K. is expected to expand at a revenue-based CAGR of 12.3% over the forecast period. The COVID-19 outbreak in the U.K. has restricted several construction operations and impacted the demand for construction products in 2020. However, increasing use of lightweight materials to boost energy savings at residential, commercial, and industrial office spaces is anticipated to boost the market growth over the forecast period.

Several changes have been made in fire regulatory norms in the U.K., France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and Finland, following the Grenfell tower fire mishap in 2017. The failure of polyethylene-based cladding was cited as the primary reason for the spread of flames. This has led governments to mandate the usage of fireproof cladding for the construction of buildings.

The market is expected to grow with rising investments by governments and construction companies for the replacement of flammable cladding materials with fireproof cladding materials in existing buildings. For instance, the U.K. government has announced investments of more than USD 5 billion for the replacement of traditional cladding materials with fireproof cladding materials for protection against fire hazards.

The fireproofing claddings need to comply with regulations by the European Organization for Technical association (EOTA); as a result, the products are manufactured in line with the environmental norms, along with the requirement of the customers. In addition, manufacturers have started integrating the production facility for end-to-end processes, such as designing, measuring, fabricating, and installing, in construction projects to provide a competitive edge over other players in the market.

Material Insights

Calcium silicate materials led the market and accounted for 34.3% share of the regional revenue in 2020. Calcium silicate exhibits superior fire-resistant properties. It is an A-class non-combustible material that does not burn or produce smoke. In addition, the material exhibits excellent strength, thus it is increasingly used in areas that are easily prone to damage.

Fiber cement-based fireproof cladding is increasingly used in applications such as external walls, ceilings, internal walls, partitions, floor, wall tiles, and sub-roof boards. Superior durability, low maintenance cost, and high resistance to fire are the factors for its high penetration in construction applications.

The demand for mineral wool in the construction industry is projected to increase in the years to come owing to factors such as stringent building codes, advances in building science, and the desire of building owners for more comfortable environments. In addition, the material is naturally non-combustible. Moreover, mineral wool is fire resistant and does not release smoke, thereby is widely accepted in construction projects.

Aluminum composites are widely used in building structures owing to their load-bearing capacity, durability, and superior strength-to-weight ratio. In addition, the flexibility provided by the material allows it to mold into different shapes. Moreover, the material is recyclable and helps enhance the aesthetic appeal of buildings with panels of different colors and sizes.

Application Insights

The residential application segment led the market and accounted for 44.1% share of the regional revenue in 2020. Rising awareness regarding product benefits, the need for the renovation of old buildings, and government regulations favoring the fireproofing of building structures across Europe are expected to support the segment growth in the forecast period.

The purpose of fireproof claddings in the residential segment is to prevent the rapid spread of the fire to adjacent buildings and allow the safe exit of building residents. The fireproof cladding manufacturers offer specially designed cladding solutions based on consumer requirements. Factors such as population expansion and the growing demand for single-family and multi-family homes are anticipated to benefit the product demand in the residential application segment.

Commercial constructions are generally large buildings or a cluster of buildings that require fireproof claddings made from materials possessing non-combustible properties. The commercial construction segment is inclusive of shopping malls, hypermarkets, supermarkets, departmental stores, restaurants and hotels, and resorts.

The industrial application segment includes factories, warehouses, and manufacturing and processing units. Industrial constructions are large architectures that require large cladding structures for protection against harsh environments. Industrial buildings are more susceptible to an outbreak of fire that may lead to fatalities and property damage. This promotes the use of fireproof cladding in industrial structures, thereby benefiting the segment growth.

Country Insights

The U.K. dominated the market and accounted for a revenue share of 25.7% in 2020 owing to stringent regulations regarding the utilization of fire safety equipment in the construction industry. Increasing use of lightweight materials to boost energy savings at residential, commercial, and industrial office spaces is anticipated to support the market growth over the forecast period.

Germany is a prominent construction market, catering to one of the major advanced buildings in the European region. High building codes, energy-efficient building products, and dynamic services, in terms of the construction building market, are expected to drive the market. In addition, Germany aims to have a climate-neutral building stock by 2050, which is expected to increase the product demand in the commercial and industrial building application segments.

In France, favorable government norms are likely to propel the growth of the housing or residential construction market. The loan interest rate on housing is set to remain low in the country supported by the government’s effort to provide affordable homes under the Housing First plan. Moreover, increasing FDI in commercial real estate for the establishment of hotels, supermarkets, warehouses, and retail buildings is likely to offer growth prospects for the market.

Spain was among the worst-affected countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it had witnessed a steep decline in the overall construction activities owing to the nationwide lockdown. However, the market is anticipated to witness growth in the residential segment owing to the increasing consumer interest in buying houses. A large section of the society is interested in buying big houses and properties outside the city limits post-pandemic. This is expected to spur the growth of the real estate and residential application segment, in turn, fueling the demand for fireproofing cladding installation.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The European market for fireproofing cladding is highly consolidated owing to the presence of well-established companies. The market in Europe accounts for a significant share in the global fireproofing cladding market. Key industry participants are focusing on the introduction of new and more effective fireproofing solutions in the market. New patents and technologies adopted by these players are being followed by various players. Some prominent players in the Europe fireproof cladding market include:

• James Hardie Europe GmbH

• Saint-Gobain Construction Products UK Limited

• Knauf Gips KG

• Rockwool International A/S

• Promat

• Isoclad

• Owens Corning

• Global Building UK

• Kingspan Group

• 3A Composites Holding AG

Europe Fireproof Cladding Market