Flame Retardants Market Size & Share Analysis - Trends, Drivers, Competitive Landscape, and Forecasts (2025 - 2032)

Flame Retardants Market Trends and Growth Drivers

Increasing Inclination toward Sustainability Is a Trend

Today’s times are witnessing an increasing inclination toward sustainability. Halogenated flame retardants pose environmental risks as they create surface ozone, which not only raises temperatures but also causes severe health conditions. Therefore, non-halogenated flame retardants, including phosphorus-based and bio-based alternatives, are witnessing a huge demand for they are environmentally sustainable and safer. Currently, tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCP) and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) are increasingly being used to reduce flammability.

Moreover, the advancements in the formulation technology are improving the efficacy of these sustainable flame retardants without compromising their safety profiles. As green building practices gain traction globally, the demand for these materials is set to rise.

For instance, Stahl produces sustainable flame-retardant solutions for filtration media using bio-based chemistries and polymeric systems. It acknowledges the prevalent demand for obsolete flame retardants, such as low-cost salts, halogens, and heavy metal coatings; however, it is shifting its focus to environment-friendly solutions. It offers flame-retardant additives and coatings specifically designed for both 100% cellulosic and cellulosic/synthetic blend media.

Rising Fire and Safety Regulation Stringency To Boost Market Growth

The World Health Organization estimates global mortality due to fires at 180,000 annually. Therefore, the increasing stringency of fire safety standards and regulations across the world is expected to escalate the demand for flame retardants. For instance, the new Fire Safety legislation as per the provisions under Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 came into existence in October 2023, altering the regulatory reform (fire safety) order of 2005.

According to the new rule, all enterprises irrespective of the building size and or the number of employees are under obligation to carry out fire risk assessments and formulate safety arrangements. In cases of multiple-occupancy buildings, it is important to share fire safety information by the responsible persons and maintain accessible records to ensure standards maintenance.

Moreover, manufacturers are developing a wide range of halogen-free chemicals to abide by environmental norms and fulfill the demand for non-toxic chemicals.

Hazardous Compounds in Flame Retardants Hamper Market Growth

• Conventional flame-retardant chemicals, specifically those consisting of chlorine and bromine, have environmental risks because of their toxic and corrosive properties. When let into the ecosystem, they impact the atmosphere, biodiversity, and even humans.
• Certain chemical compounds, such as hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), which belongs to the halogen family, have detrimental effects on the environment. As a result, many have been banned from use in Europe and several other countries, with the ban extending to more chemicals.
• Their adverse effects on human health include neurotoxicity, disruption of cardiovascular, hepatic, endocrine, and reproductive function, and even cancer.
• Decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), majorly used in textiles, furniture, vehicle interiors, and electronics, is associated with neurological and developmental issues in humans.
• Furthermore, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) accumulate in humans and animals through the inhalation of dust and consumption of contaminated food, raising concerns for health.
• These harms lead to stringent regulations and restrictions, which hamper the market growth.

Flame Retardants Market Analysis

Type Analysis

• Non-halogenated flame retardants accounted for the larger revenue share in the market in 2024, of 55%, and this category is further expected to grow faster during the forecast period.
• This is because these chemicals exhibit exceptional flame retardancy, smoke suppression, and thermodynamic characteristics, which make them suitable for anti-fire applications in numerous industries.
• Moreover, these chemicals are gaining popularity because of the environmental initiatives taken by several governments to decrease the usage of halogenated compounds, which have adverse effects on humans, including dyspnea, airway obstruction, hypoxemia, pneumonitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and pulmonary edema, as well as surface ozone formation, which degrades the air quality.
• The phosphorus-based non-halogenated subcategory will have the fastest growth in the flame retardants market during the forecast period, primarily due to the thermal stability and non-toxic nature of these materials.
• Additionally, the growing concerns over the usage of harmful halogenated chemicals have led to the development of several aromatic phosphates.

The types analyzed here are:

• Halogenated
  • Brominated compounds
  • Chlorinated compounds
• Non-Halogenated (Larger and Faster growing Category)
  • Inorganic
    • Aluminum hydroxide
    • Magnesium hydroxide
    • Boron compounds
  • Phosphorus
  • Nitrogen
  • Others

End User Analysis

• The building & construction industry held the largest revenue share in 2024 in the market. The growing infrastructure activities in developing nations, such as China and India, drive the demand for these chemicals.
• For instance, infrastructure activities in APAC are driven by numerous government initiatives, such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and Smart City Mission in India, and the Belt and Road Initiative of China.
• Additionally, the rising awareness regarding the importance of fire safety propels the flame retardants market growth.
• The electrical & electronics industry is expected to witness the highest CAGR, of approximately 8.97%, in the market over the forecast period.
• This growth can be ascribed to the increasing use of plastics in the production of electronic components and increasing consumption of insulation on products, for consumer safety and fire risk reduction, which is itself a result of the strong need of manufacturers to comply with fire safety regulations.
• Moreover, flame retardants have a wide application base in the electrical & electronics industry to offer increased resistance to internal and external heat sources, especially to electrical cables and wires.

The end users evaluated here are:

• Building & Construction (Largest Category)
• Electrical & Electronics (Fastest-Growing Category)
• Automotive & Transportation
• Textiles & Furniture
• Others

Flame Retardants Market Geographical Outlook

• The APAC flame retardants market accounted for the largest share, of around 45%, in 2024, and it is further expected to maintain its position during the forecast period.
• The region will also witness the fastest growth, with a CAGR of 7.92%.
• This can be ascribed to the rapidly growing manufacturing sector and infrastructure development activities in the region.
• Furthermore, South Korea, Japan, and China manufacture a wide range of electrical components and supply them to various industries globally.
• China held the major revenue share in 2024 in the APAC market, as it is the largest manufacturing base and the leading exporter of electrical & electronic equipment.
• China leads the global electronics markets with its exports surpassing USD 700 billion owing to its local manufacturing capabilities, availability of cheap laborers, and wide logistics networks.
• Additionally, the significant developments in the residential and commercial construction sectors and growth in the transportation & automotive industry in the country have been propelling the consumption of materials that do not catch fire.
• Europe is the second-highest revenue contributor to the global market, attributed to the large automotive & transportation and textile industries in the region.
• Moreover, countries such as Germany and the U.K. spend huge capital on the construction sector, which helps the market grow at a healthy pace.

The geographical breakdown of the market is as follows:

• North America
  • U.S. (Larger Country Market)
  • Canada (Faster-Growing Country Market)
• Europe
  • Germany (Largest Country Market)
  • Spain (Fastest-Growing Country Market)
  • Italy
  • U.K.
  • France
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific (APAC) (Largest and Fastest-Growing Regional Market)
  • China (Largest Country Market)
  • India (Fastest-Growing Country Market)
  • South Korea
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Rest of APAC
• Latin America (LATAM)
  • Brazil (Largest Country Market)
  • Mexico (Fastest-Growing Country Market)
  • Rest of LATAM
• Middle East and Africa (MEA)
  • Saudi Arabia (Largest Country Market)
  • South Africa
  • U.A.E. (Fastest-Growing Country Market)
  • Rest of MEA

Flame Retardants Market Share

The flame retardants market is fragmented in nature. It is because of the extensive applications of these materials in a wide variety of sectors, including construction, electronics, automotive, and textiles. This diversity allows for the entry of a large number of manufacturers, ranging from small specialized enterprises to large multinational corporations.

Each company provides diverse formulations of flame retardants to meet precise regulatory compliance and performance needs. The growing environmental concerns, shifting preference toward sustainability, and rising consumer awareness are furthering the demand for specialized flame retardants, hence widening the opportunities.

Flame Retardants Market News

In June 2024, J.M. Huber Corporation acquired Active Minerals International (AMI) from Golden Gate Capital through its subsidiary Huber Engineered Materials. This acquisition aims to combine AMI’s portfolio into Huber’s specialty minerals business unit. In turn, this will expand Huber’s niche material manufacturing capabilities and complement its product line of flame retardants and smoke suppressants.

In March 2024, LANXESS AG entered into a partnership with Azelis, with the latter becoming the exclusive distributor of the former’s polymer additives phosphorous flame retardants in the U.S., including its Disflamoll and Levagard product lines.

In October 2023, Clariant AG inaugurated its new production facility for halogen-free Exolit OP flame retardants in Daya Bay, China. The upfront CHF 60-million investment will offer regional component manufacturers access to advanced and sustainable Exolit OP flame retardants for various applications in the e-mobility and electricals & electronic segments.