Global Firefighting Foam Market 2024 – 2033

According to current market research conducted by the CMI Team, the global Firefighting Foam Market is expected to record a CAGR of 3.8% from 2024 to 2033. In 2024, the market size is projected to reach a valuation of USD 5.8 Billion. By 2033, the valuation is anticipated to reach USD 7.41 Billion.

Firefighting Foam Market: Overview

Firefighting foam is a type of foam used to suppress and extinguish fires, particularly those caused by flammable liquids such as oil, gasoline, or other hydrocarbons. It operates by forming a blanket on the fire, turning off the oxygen supply, and cooling the fire to prevent re-ignition. Due to its efficiency in handling hazardous fire situations, it is used in high-risk industries like aviation, oil refining, and chemical manufacturing.

A significant increase in fire-related accidents, particularly in the oil and gas industry, drives the market growth. Furthermore, stringent government rules and regulations that mandate fire safety measures also boost the demand for firefighting foam.

However, the rise in awareness of the presence of PFOS and PFAS in firefighting foam contaminating drinking water sources has led to the introduction of acts and laws that restrict the use of fluorine-based firefighting foam, which hampers the market’s growth. Meanwhile, R&D activities regarding fluorine-free firefighting foam are expected to offer lucrative opportunities for industry growth.

• The Indian Oil Corporation Limited states that from 2014 to 2019, around 113 major road and fire accidents occurred in the transportation of fuel.

• As of 2021, the local fire department of the U.S. recorded almost 1.4 million fire cases, causing around 3,500 civilian deaths and nearly 15,200 civilian injuries.

• In 2023, fire accounted for about 24% of all incidents, according to the most recent data from the Fire Industry Association. Fire false alarms were 42%, and non-fire incidents 34%, compared with fires accounting for 33%.

Firefighting Foam Market: Growth Factors

Rising awareness regarding fire safety

The growing public awareness of the necessity of fire safety is helping to drive the market ahead. Besides, increased concerns about fire-related occurrences and their environmental effects create a favorable market outlook. Furthermore, increased demand for effective firefighting foam solutions as people realize the necessity of fire prevention and control is driving market expansion. On the other hand, firefighting foam is an essential product for fighting several flames such as flammable liquid fires and chemical spills.

Technological advancements

Technological improvements in firefighting foam compositions and systems are driving market expansion. In line with this, essential businesses are developing new foam technologies to improve firefighting capabilities, reduce environmental impact, and increase overall efficacy. They are also working on eco-friendly firefighting foam choices to reduce pollution.

Furthermore, typical foams contain per- and poly-fluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS), which have a significant environmental impact. Manufacturers offer biodegradable and less toxic foam solutions that meet demanding ecological standards. These eco-friendly foams are gaining popularity as businesses seek more sustainable fire control solutions.

Firefighting Foam Market: Recent Development

The firefighting foam industry adopted several strategies, which include product launch, acquisition, expansion, and others. Some of the company strategies include:

• In May 2023, Johnson Controls introduced its new NFF-331 3%x3% Non-Fluorinated Firefighting Foam Concentrate. The concentrate is intended to be a versatile and efficient alternative to existing alcohol-resistant aqueous film-forming foam (AR-AFFF) concentrates in traditional foam sprinkler systems. This product suppresses fires caused by Class B, polar solvent fuels, and hydrocarbons.

• In September 2023, Perimeter Solutions launched its SOLBERG® 3% MIL-SPEC Synthetic Fluorine-Free Foam (SFFF). This is the first fluorine-free firefighting foam concentrate to be added to the Department of Defense Qualified Products List (QPL). Since a fluorine-free foam has been introduced to the QPL, federal rules require airports and other government agencies employing MIL-SPEC-qualified goods to switch from aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) to fluorine-free. SOLBERG 3% is the only fluorine-free foam currently on the QPL and available in the market.

These product launches and expansion activities have expanded the company’s market presence in the firefighting foam industry.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE RELATED MARKET

Firefighting Foam Market: Challenge

Environmental and health concerns

Traditional firefighting foams, particularly Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), contain per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), which are environmentally persistent and have been associated with detrimental health impacts such as cancer and reproductive difficulties. This is attributed to environmental and regulatory concerns that create sectors to avoid PFAS-containing foams, which is hindering the firefighting foam industry’s growth.

Firefighting Foam Market: Segmentation Analysis

By Foam Type:

The Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) dominates the firefighting foam industry. The segment expansion is attributable to AFFF’s ability to form instantly upon ejection of the concentrate or water mix from the nozzle. In fuel-based fires, AFFF coats the pool of hydrocarbon fuel with foam, forming a thermal barrier that inhibits and extinguishes combustion. Furthermore, water is a primary component of the AFFF-concentrate marks, along with other materials like glycol ethers and ethylene or propylene glycol, which are added to enhance the foam life.

Besides, the alcohol-resistant aqueous film-forming foam (AR-AFFF) will increase during the analysis period. The segment expansion is attributed to its wide usage in high-risk industries. Moreover, the rising expansion in the aviation sector drives market growth because this foam is used for airport fire suppression, especially in aircraft fuel fires.

By Fire Type:

The class A segment had a substantial market share in 2023. Fabric, wood, paper, and plastics are examples of class-A fires. These fires are widespread in various industries because they can spread rapidly when fuel is in excess. Class A flames are extinguished with pressurized water and mono ammonium phosphate.

Besides, the class B segment is growing at a substantial rate. Class B fires involve combustible and flammable liquids, such as alcohol, gasoline, oil- paints, and lacquers. As a counterpart, Class A fires are suppressed using water, Class B fires are extremely dangerous as they possess fuel with lower density in comparison to water and burning grease has a higher temperature than the boiling point of water.

When grease comes into contact with water, it creates high-temperature steam, which expands rapidly and explodes, causing burns and spreading the fire uncontrollably. Hence, Class B fire extinguishers usually use dry chemicals, such as foam or powder.

By End-use:

Oil and gas are expected to capture a prominent market share during the forecast period because of the high risk of fire, as the operation of oil and gas involves extracting, processing, and storing volatile liquids and gases. Moreover, the expansion in the oil and gas sector and technological advancements propel the expansion of the market.

Nevertheless, the chemical segment grew rapidly over the analysis period. The chemical sector has severe fire safety standards because of the hazardous nature of the chemicals used. Regulatory bodies impose high fire protection regulations, which encourage the use of firefighting foam systems.

Report Scope

Firefighting Foam Market: Regional Analysis

North America is projected to lead the market growth during the analysis period. The growing oil & gas industry is one of the most significant contributors to the market growth in the area. For instance, as per the data published by the US Energy Information Administration, U.S. oil production, including condensate and crude oil, was 11.7 million barrels per day (b/d) in December 2021. U.S. natural gas production (gross withdrawals) was 120.0 billion cubic feet daily (Bcf/d) in December 2022. U.S. oil production and natural gas production (gross withdrawals) increased in 2022; in December 2022, oil production was 12.1 million b/d and natural gas production (gross withdrawals) reached 121.1 Bcf/d.

However, the Asia Pacific is growing significantly in the global firefighting foam industry. The expansion of the industry in the Asia Pacific region is owing to the thriving chemical sector. Moreover, rising product launches in the area provide a positive outlook for market expansion in the Asia Pacific.

List of the prominent players in the Firefighting Foam Market:

• National Foam
• ANGUS FIRE
• BIO EX S.A.S.
• Perimeter Solutions
• Dafo Fomtec AB
• Johnson Controls
• DIC Corp.
• Fabrik Chemischer Praparate von Dr. Richard Sthamber GmbH & Co. KG
• Kerr Fire
• SFFECO GLOBAL
• Solberg
• Auxquimia
• EAU SAVER
• ICL Group
• Sthamer Hamburg GmbH
• SABO FOAM
• A-FFF Foam
• Amerex Corporation
• Ansul
• Tyco Fire Protection Products
• Others

The Firefighting Foam Market is segmented as follows:

By Foam Type

• Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)
• Alcohol Resistant Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AR-AFFF)
• Protein Foam
• Synthetic Detergent Foam

By Fire Type

• Class A
• Class B
• Class C

By End-Use

• Oil & Gas
• Automotive
• Chemical
• Aviation
• Marine
• Mining
• Others

Regional Coverage:

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America

Europe

• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Russia
• Italy
• Spain
• Netherlands
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America