Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing - July/August '24 - 17

INDUSTRIAL FINISHING: FIRE PROTECTIVE COATINGS
MARKET REPORT:
EVOLVING SAFETY
REGULATIONS
BY SHANTANU HASABNIS
n the realm of industrial safety, the application of fire
protection coatings plays a pivotal role in safeguarding
steel structures against the devastating impact of fire
incidents. Primarily, two categories of fire protection
coatings dominate the market landscape: intumescent
coatings and cementitious coatings. Intumescent coatings,
also known as passive fire protection (PFP) coatings, expand
upon exposure to heat, forming an insulating char that
mitigates heat transfer to the steel substrate. These coatings
find extensive applications in industries vulnerable to
hydrocarbon hazards, such as the petrochemical and oil and
gas sectors, as per report by Persistence Market Research.
I
UNDERSTANDING INTUMESCENT COATINGS
Intumescent coatings can be further classified into cellulosic
fire protection products and hydrocarbon fire protection
products. The former is tailored for steel components in
buildings, containing combustible materials derived from
sources like plastics and wood. On the other hand, hydrocarbon
fire protection products are designed for structures exposed
to hydrocarbon-based fire risks. Despite being solvent-free,
epoxy intumescent coatings in the hydrocarbon category
produce dense chars that adhere well to steel surfaces even
under turbulent fire conditions.
MARKET DYNAMICS
The global fire protection coatings market is propelled by
several factors. Firstly, the escalating pace of industrialisation
has accentuated safety concerns, driving the adoption of fire
protection solutions. The surge in construction activities,
coupled with increasing disposable income, amplifies the
demand for fire protection coatings across diverse sectors
like building and construction, automotive, and aerospace.
Furthermore, stringent government regulations mandating
the use of fire protection coatings in industries such as oil and
gas and chemicals contribute to market growth.
Changing standards for fire safety, coupled with
environmental considerations, are poised to reshape the
market landscape. Advancements in technology, particularly
in nanotechnology, have expanded the application scope of
surface and fire protection coatings. Despite these growth
drivers, concerns regarding the environmental impact of
fire protection coatings and their widespread usage pose
challenges to market expansion.
MARKET SEGMENTATION
The fire protection coatings market is segmented based
on product type and application. Product types include
cementitious coatings and intumescent coatings, further
categorised into cellulosic fire protection and hydrocarbon
fire protection. Application areas span across aerospace, oil
and gas, marine, electrical and electronics, automotive and
transportation, building and construction, textile, furniture,
and others.
While Europe and North America boast well-established
markets for fire protection coatings, the Asia-Pacific
region presents significant growth opportunities. Rapid
industrialisation and infrastructural development in
emerging economies fuel the demand for fire protection
solutions. Moreover, the adoption of stringent safety
regulations, akin to developed economies, further propels
July/August 2024
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Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing - July/August '24

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