Expanding Applications to Drive Demand for Polymeric Foams, Report Says

SAN JOSE, CA – June 17, 2014 – Polymer foams are used in disposable packaging for food products, insulation material in buildings, and as cushioning in furniture products. While high-density cellular plastics are widely used in furniture, transportation, and building products, low-density foams find use in shock absorption, insulation, and rigid packaging. The growing use of polymeric foams is primarily attributed to the numerous beneficial attributes of the material such as low density that aids in reducing product weight, and low heat transfer ability that enables use of foams as optimal insulators, flexibility, exceptional insulating properties, impact-resistant characteristics, buoyancy, and outstanding strength-to-weight ratios, among others.

Polymeric foams hold an edge over alternative materials such as fiberglass and metallic foams, owing to benefits such as low weight and relatively lower cost. Growth in the market is driven by expanding use in construction, furniture & bedding, packaging, automotive, and plastic manufacturing industries. In the coming years, emergence of innovative technologies and applications will help encourage demand for polymer foams in various end-use markets. Growing emphasis on sustainability will help drive demand for green building materials such as eco-friendly polymeric foams. Despite the opportunities for growth, the market is also expected to confront challenges manifested in the form of stringent environmental regulations legislated by governments worldwide, and difficulties in waste disposal, and recyclability.

As stated by the new market research report on Polymeric Foams, Asia-Pacific represents the largest and the fastest growing market with a CAGR of 4.0% over the analysis period. Huge population base, rapidly expanding construction activities in commercial, residential and industrial sectors, focus on public infrastructure development, and rising automotive production, represent factors driving growth in the region. Polyurethane (PU) Foams represents the largest product market supported by broad applications in consumer products by virtue of product characteristics such as elasticity, mechanical strength, insulation, and chemical resistance. Bedding & furniture and construction are the leading end-use markets for PU foams, while the automotive industry is likely to post strong growth in demand for PU foams in the coming years.

Major players covered in the report include Abriso NV, American Excelsior Company, Armacell Enterprise GmbH & Co. KG, BASF SE, Bayer MaterialScience AG, British Vita PLC, Carpenter Company, Celotex Limited, Evonik Foams Inc., FXI, Huntsman Corporation, INEOS Styrenics, JSP Corporation, Recticel, Rogers Corporation, Sealed Air Corporation, Sekisui Alveo AG, Sonoco Products Company, Tekni-Plex Inc., The Dow Chemical Company, The Woodbridge Group®, and Zotefoams PLC.

The research report titled "Polymeric Foams: A Global Strategic Business Report" announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends, issues, drivers, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic industry activities of major companies worldwide. The report provides market estimates and projections for all major geographic markets such as the US, Canada, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil and Rest of Latin America), and Rest of World. Product segments analyzed include Polyolefin Foams, Polystyrene Foams, Polyurethane Foams, PVC Foams, and Other Polymeric Foams.

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