Firefighting Foam Market - Forecasts from 2024 to 2029

The firefighting foam market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.34% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Firefighting foam is a fire suppression substance used to prevent oxygen from reaching the combustion of the substance. The foam solution is made from the water and foam concentrate mixing in the right ratio. Foam concentrate is manufactured, which, when mixed with water at the right proportion, becomes a foam solution. There are several types of firefighting foam offered in the market, such as Aqueous film-forming foam concentrate (AFFF). Aqueous film-forming foam concentrate (AFFF) is available in the 1%, 3%, or 6% type concentrate. They are manufactured from material types such as hydrocarbon surfactants, solvents, fluorochemical surfactants, small amounts of salts, and foam stabilizers. They are used in the premix state and are suitable for use with dry chemical extinguishing agents.

The major driving factor behind the firefighting foam market is the growing urban spaces worldwide. In 2021, 56% of the global population was residing in the urban setting, which increased to 57% in 2023. This surge in the urban population required better housing and residential facilities and the safety of individuals. Better monitoring and protection from fire are needed worldwide, which would increase the demand for firefighting foam.

• With increasing industrialization, residential and commercial buildings have been increasing across various regions around the world. According to the IMF (International Monetary Fund), the GDP growth rate was 4.6% in 2023 and is expected to be 4.4% in 2024. This resulted in the demand for fire extinguishing equipment increasing due to better protection for citizens' lives and properties.

FIREFIGHTING FOAM MARKET DRIVERS:

• Increased number of incidents of fire-

The use of firefighting equipment worldwide has been increasing with the increase in the number of fire incidents, big and small. There is a growing need to protect life and property worldwide, which is a basic right of the people. According to the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency, the number of fires increased by 12.2% from 2013 to 2022, and the number of fires in 2022 was 1,504,500.

Similarly, the number of deaths caused by fire has increased by 8.29% from 2020 to 2022. The fire caused by cooking is a major cause, among all other reasons. The firefighting foam is necessary to placate and control fire in residential and non-residential buildings as it could control fire caused by cooking substances. Foam from certain synthetic chemicals, such as Alcohol Resistant Aqueous Film film-forming foam, is capable of controlling fire with both polar (alcohol) and non-polar (hydrocarbon) solvents. There is a growing need for firefighting substances for the highly effective foam against hydrocarbon fires.

• Rising use of natural and biodegradable substances

The firefighting foam can be toxic, containing poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are used in the manufacturing of these substances and could cause serious damage to the underground water and soil of the region under usage. Thus, there is a growing need for biodegradable and natural substances in their usage. One example is the Firefighting SoyFoam, which is 100% free of intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. This is certified at the Gold level. It is GreenScreen Certified and owned by the non-profit Clean Production Action. The development of the product is supported by U.S. soybean farmers and the United Soybean Board.

This created a new market opportunity for soy farmers in the United States, providing sustainable solutions for firefighters. Another prominent option is Bio-foam extinguishers, which are fluorine-free and biodegradable. According to European directives, bio-foam fire extinguishers are dispensed with perfluorinated surfactants for more sustainability.

• Increasing urbanization around the world

The growing urban population is the major reason for the demand for firefighting foam and other equipment for the safety of life and property. According to the World Bank report, by 2050, nearly 7 out of 10 people will live in cities. The growth of urbanization, the need for affordable housing, and viable infrastructure, including transport systems and basic services, are needed for the people living in urban settings. Further, advanced technology is needed for firefighting technology and also with firefighting foam.

There has been an increasing economic loss due to fires in the United States, with a loss of US$18.1 billion in 2022. Due to this, the United States needs more fire safety. Firefighting technology, including firefighting foam, is needed in urban settings where there is a growth of building and construction in the developing economies of the world.

• Asia Pacific region to dominate the firefighting foam market during the forecast period.

The major economies like China, Japan, India, and South Korea dominate the Asia-Pacific region. Some of the fastest-growing emerging economies are from this region, such as ASEAN countries. Fast economic growth, along with urbanization, is driving the need for firefighting solutions that can be applied at various levels. In India, the residential real estate industry has been seeing a boom, as in the top 7 cities. The demand for new houses has increased by 18% in every quarter in 2022.

This development suggests that people live in a close space where the danger of fire has increased to a substantial level. Furthermore, developing economies have small and medium enterprises in the marketplaces where there is a danger of fire every day. According to the National Crime Bureau in India, every 60 people die of fire accidents in the country, which demands immediate solutions to the challenges.

Firefighting foam market challenges:

• Environmental concerns are the major for the firefighting foam as it contains fluorinated firefighting foams which is damaging to the soil and natural environment around it. Due to this, the Department of Defense (DoD) was mandated to phase out the purchase and use of PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) for firefighting on military bases in 2024. There has been ongoing research on the alternatives that can deliver the required standard without damaging the environment.
• In December 2022, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) announced a "take-back and replace" pilot program for the fire departments statewide for removing, disposing and replacing firefighting foam that contains per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at no cost. This gives room for other sustainable materials for usage but also causes impediments to the present market growth.
• In July 2023, Tyco Fire Protection Products of Johnson Control announced that they would discontinue the production and sale of fluorinated firefighting foams, including Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) and related products, by June 2024. They would transition to non-fluorinated foam alternatives, which would provide more sustainable, effective solutions for customers and their offerings.

Firefighting Foam Market Key Developments:

• In February 2024, Perimeter Solutions announced that its SOLBERG(R) 3% MIL-SPEC Synthetic Fluorine-Free Foam was the first fluorine-free firefighting foam concentrate to be GreenScreen Certified(R) by Clean Production Action (CPA) and listed on the Department of Defense Qualified Products List (QPL). It met the quality standard of the substance that was confirmed to be fluorine-free with no intentionally added per- or poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAs). This is helpful for the usage in the airport authorities and other government agencies where it is required to use MIL-SPEC-qualified products and the ability to transition from aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) to fluorine-free.
• In May 2023, The research team at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, was looking to enhance the firefighting capabilities of commercially available PFAS-free fire suppressants for military use. Department of Defense (DoD) task force identified more than 700 active military locations where PFAS had been leaked into soil or groundwater, and it is actively cleaning up and looking for AFFF alternatives.
• In March 2022, Ember Defense partnered with Perimeter Solutions to protect homeowners, commercial partners, and communities. The partnership is for protecting everything from ember-proof vents, to gutter guards, as well as a long-term fire retardant. PHOS-CHEK FORTIFY helps to protect uncolored, ground-based long-term fire retardant that provides extended protection from wildfires. Through this partnership, Perimeter Solutions would ensure to have a trained team of service professionals to properly apply PHOS-CHEK FORTIFY by Ember Defense.

The firefighting foam market is segmented and analyzed as follows:

By End User Industry

• Oil & Gas
• Automotive
• Chemical
• Aviation
• Other Industries

By Foam Type

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

By Fire Type

• Class A
• Class B
• Class C
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of South America
• Europe
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Rest of the Middle East and Africa
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Rest of Asia-Pacific