Foam Blowing Agents Market Size & Share 2016 - 2024
Market Size by Product (Hydrocarbons, Hydrofluorocarbons [HFC], Hydrochlorofluorocarbons [HCFC]), by Application (Polyurethane, Polystyrene, Polyolefin), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Growth Potential, Price Trends, & Forecast.
Report ID: GMI1123
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Published Date: January 2017
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Report Format: PDF
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Authors:
Kiran Pulidindi, Kunal Ahuja
Foam Blowing Agents Market Size
Foam Blowing Agents Market size was valued at over USD 600 million for 2015 and will grow at over 7% CAGR through 2024. Increasing foam usage in the construction industry is likely to bolster the market during the forecast period.
Flourishing polystyrene, polyurethane, and other product-based foam businesses are driving the foam blowing agents market. Foam blowing agents find applications in polymeric foam manufacturing to enhance the desired foam properties. The demand for polymeric foam is increasing due to its usage in the construction and appliances industry.
The construction sector has witnessed a moderate growth in the past five years and is likely to grow significantly in the next few years. The global population growth and a rise in average disposable incomes have further boosted the construction industry in Vietnam, China, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Polymeric foams are extensively used in building and construction sectors.
Improved living standards and rise in purchase power parity have developed flooring and furnishing industry in recent years. The booming hospitality sector is demanding an exceptional quality of flooring material and aesthetically sound furnishing. Polymeric foams are used in flooring and furnishing for shock absorption and to give a high-quality aesthetic appearance. The foam blowing agents market will witness a promising growth in the flooring and furnishing industry owing to the increasing adoption of polymeric foams.
Polymeric foams have applications in the medical devices and packaging sector and other emerging applications. Technological advancements and rapid medical industry growth have boosted the demand for medical devices. An increase in the global trade has stimulated the need for safe and reliable packing of products for their transit. Packaging is mostly done using foam-based polymers owing to their shock absorbing nature. Thus, the growth in medical devices and packaging business is contributing to the foam blowing agents market growth.
Foam Blowing Agents Market Analysis
The hydrocarbons segment accounts for more than one half of the foam blowing agents market volume and is likely to maintain its share over the forecast period. The hydrocarbons segment was valued at over USD 200 million in 2015 and will expand at over 7% CAGR. Hydrocarbons are widely used in polyurethane foam in varied end-user industries such as automotive, appliances, construction, flooring, furnishing, etc.
Others segment including azodicarbonamide, inert gases, methyl formate, methylal, and water is likely to expand at more than 9% CAGR and contributes to over 15% in the foam blowing agents market share. Although a smaller segment in terms of market share, the collective growth of the segment is significant.
Foam blowing agents have major applications in polyurethane foams. Polyurethane foams are used in industries such as automotive, construction, flooring, furnishing, medical devices, and packaging. Rapid industrialization coupled with infrastructural development has boosted the construction industry globally. Moreover, improved living standards and disposable incomes have boosted the hospitality industry, such as hotels, malls, and spas, driving the construction industry.
Germany established the automobile business and increased the high-end luxury car demand in India, Japan, and Korea. There is a rise in the adoption of medical devices owing to the developing healthcare industry in Europe. Rising demand for enhanced healthcare and medical devices in the U.S will drive the foam blowing agents market in the region.
Asia Pacific accounts for nearly half of the foam blowing agents market consumption globally. Booming infrastructural development has led to an increase in the construction industry in this region, majorly led by India, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. Rapid industrialization and technological advancements in this region have contributed significantly to the foam blowing agents end user industries such as automotive, packaging, and medical devices.
North America will depict a positive outlook in foam blowing agents market owing to its global presence in the pharmaceutical sector and food packaging industry. Europe is at a relatively nascent stage in this industry and accounts for approximately 15% of the revenue generation. Europe’s growth is attributed to its ever-increasing automobile industry, frozen food packaging, etc. Polyurethane foam is used in automobile interiors such as seats, steering wheels, door panels, etc. Growing automobile industry will thus boost the market majorly in Asia Pacific and Europe.
Foam Blowing Agents Market Share
The global foam blowing agents industry is consolidated in nature and is concentrated between a few key manufacturers globally. The major players in the market are
A major chunk of the market share is consolidated between these key players.
Industry Background
Foam blowing agents have become essential ingredients used in foam substrates, providing cellular structure to materials. Foaming of polymer provides advantages such as thermal and acoustic insulation, reduction in the final product weight, and less material usage. Further, foam blowing agents have an opportunity to be used in various environmentally friendly products such as methyl formate, HFOs, and methylal. Moreover, there has been a revolution in foam blowing agents market through the introduction of low Global Warming Potential (GWP), zero Ozone Potential Depletion (OPD), non-toxic and non-flammable foam blowing agents.
Foam blowing agents market report includes in-depth coverage of the industry, with estimates & forecast in terms of volume in tons and revenue in USD from 2013 to 2024, for the following segments:
By Product
By Applications
The above information has been provided for the following regions and countries:
By Region
Research methodology, data sources & validation process
This report draws on a structured research process built around direct industry conversations, proprietary modelling, and rigorous cross-validation and not just desk research.
Our 6-step research process
1. Research design & analyst oversight
At GMI, our research methodology is built on a foundation of human expertise, rigorous validation, and complete transparency. Every insight, trend analysis, and forecast in our reports is developed by experienced analysts who understand the nuances of your market.
Our approach integrates extensive primary research through direct engagement with industry participants and experts, complemented by comprehensive secondary research from verified global sources. We apply quantified impact analysis to deliver dependable forecasts, while maintaining complete traceability from original data sources to final insights.
2. Primary research
Primary research forms the backbone of our methodology, contributing nearly 80% to overall insights. It involves direct engagement with industry participants to ensure accuracy and depth in analysis. Our structured interview program covers regional and global markets, with inputs from C-suite executives, directors, and subject matter experts. These interactions provide strategic, operational, and technical perspectives, enabling well-rounded insights and reliable market forecasts.
3. Data mining & market analysis
Data mining is a key part of our research process, contributing nearly 20% to the overall methodology. It involves analysing market structure, identifying industry trends, and assessing macroeconomic factors through revenue share analysis of major players. Relevant data is collected from both paid and unpaid sources to build a reliable database. This information is then integrated to support primary research and market sizing, with validation from key stakeholders such as distributors, manufacturers, and associations.
4. Market sizing
Our market sizing is built on a bottom-up approach, starting with company revenue data gathered directly through primary interviews, alongside production volume figures from manufacturers and installation or deployment statistics. These inputs are then pieced together across regional markets to arrive at a global estimate that stays grounded in actual industry activity.
5. Forecast model & key assumptions
Every forecast includes explicit documentation of:
✓ Key growth drivers and their assumed impact
✓ Restraining factors and mitigation scenarios
✓ Regulatory assumptions and policy change risk
✓ Technology adoption curve parameter
✓ Macroeconomic assumptions (GDP growth, inflation, currency)
✓ Competitive dynamics and market entry/exit expectations
6. Validation & quality assurance
The final stages involve human validation, where domain experts manually review filtered data to identify nuances and contextual errors that automated systems might miss. This expert review adds a critical layer of quality assurance, ensuring data aligns with research objectives and domain-specific standards.
Our triple-layer validation process ensures maximum data reliability:
✓ Statistical Validation
✓ Expert Validation
✓ Market Reality Check
Trust & credibility
Verified data sources
Trade publications
Security & defense sector journals and trade press
Industry databases
Proprietary and third-party market databases
Regulatory filings
Government procurement records and policy documents
Academic research
University studies and specialist institution reports
Company reports
Annual reports, investor presentations, and filings
Expert interviews
C-suite, procurement leads, and technical specialists
GMI archive
13,000+ published studies across 30+ industry verticals
Trade data
Import/export volumes, HS codes, and customs records
Parameters studied & evaluated
Every data point in this report is validated through primary interviews, true bottom-up modelling, and rigorous cross-checks. Read about our research process →