What is Flexible Foam?
Flexible foams are used as cushioning material in the different end-use products such as beds, mattresses, carpet cushions, automobile parts (seats, armrest), and others. It is a type of polymeric foam produce by a combination of TDI, polyols, additives, and blowing agents. Flexible polyurethane is a cellular polymer produced in the form of foam blocks. It exists in multiple forms, depending on foam density, on the presence/absence of flame retardant (FR) or other additives, as well as on the isocyanate monomer used (Toluene diisocyanate TDI or Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate – MDI). According to American Chemistry Council, Inc., flexible polyurethane foam accounts for about 30 percent of the entire North American polyurethane market and is used largely for bedding, furniture, and in the automotive industry.
The market study is broken down by Type (Polyurethane (PU), Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP) and Others (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA), Melamine, Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF))), by Application (Furniture & Bedding, Automotive Safety, Carpet Underlay and Others) and major geographies with country level break-up.
Analysts at AMA Research estimates that Vendors from United States will contribute to the maximum growth of Global Flexible Foam market throughout the predicted period. Established and emerging Vendors should take a closer view at their existing organizations and reinvent traditional business and operating models to adapt to the future.
BASF SE (Germany), Huntsman International LLC (United States), DowDuPont, Inc. (United States), 3M (United States), JSP Corporation (Japan), Recticel NV (Belgium), Zotefoams PLC (United Kingdom), Woodbridge Foam Corporation (Canada), Covestro AG (Germany) and UBE Industries, Ltd. (Japan) are some of the key players that are part of study coverage. Additionally, the Vendors which are also part of the research coverage are Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (Japan), Sekisui Alveo AG (Switzerland), Flexipol Foams Pvt. Ltd. (India), Rogers Corporation (United States), Sealed Air Corporation (United States) and Polymer Technologies, Inc. (United States).
Segmentation Overview
AdvanceMarketAnalytics has segmented the market of Global Flexible Foam market by Type, Application and Region.
On the basis of geography, the market of Flexible Foam has been segmented into South America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America), Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Europe (Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Rest of Europe), MEA (Middle East, Africa), North America (United States, Canada, Mexico). If we see Market by Thickness, the sub-segment i.e. < 100 mm will boost the Flexible Foam market. Additionally, the rising demand from SMEs and various industry verticals gives enough cushion to market growth. If we see Market by Form, the sub-segment i.e. Board will boost the Flexible Foam market. Additionally, the rising demand from SMEs and various industry verticals gives enough cushion to market growth. If we see Market by Industry Verticals, the sub-segment i.e. Automotive (Seats, Steering Wheel) will boost the Flexible Foam market. Additionally, the rising demand from SMEs and various industry verticals gives enough cushion to market growth. If we see Market by Color, the sub-segment i.e. White will boost the Flexible Foam market. Additionally, the rising demand from SMEs and various industry verticals gives enough cushion to market growth. If we see Market by Sales Channel, the sub-segment i.e. Online (Manufacturers Portal, E-commerce Website) will boost the Flexible Foam market. Additionally, the rising demand from SMEs and various industry verticals gives enough cushion to market growth.
Market Leaders and their expansionary development strategies
In April 2018, Huntsman has completed the purchase of Demilec, one of North America's leading manufacturers and distributors of spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation systems. and On September 11, 2017, Sealed Air Corporation has acquired Fagerdala Singapore Pte Ltd., a manufacturer and fabricator of polyethylene foam. Sealed Air will acquire 100 percent of Fagerdala shares for approximately USD 100 million in cash. With the acquisition of Fagerdala, the company will significantly expand its presence and manufacturing footprint in Asia.
In January 2018, BASF has announced to spend USD 150 million to expand its methylene diphenyl diisocyanate production. MDI is a product used in polyurethane foams for construction, insulation, automotive, and packaging goods.
Market Trend
- Innovations in Commercialization Including Biodegradable Foams for Packaging
- Significant Technological Advancements, Such As the Introduction of Bio-Based Polyols and Non-Toxic Isocyanates
Market Drivers
- Increasing Infrastructure Development, Rising Urbanization, and Expansion of Residential and Commercial Sector
- Increasing Use in Transportation for Weight Reduction and Packaging Application Due To Its Light Weight and Shock Absorption Properties
- Versatility and Easy To Process Material
Opportunities
- Growth of Major End-Use Industries of Flexible Foam Such As Furniture and Bedding, Packaging
- Advancements of Additive Manufacturing for Polyurethane Foam
Restraints
- Stringent Government Regulations for Using Diisocyanate Reagents in Production of Flexible PU Foam
Challenges
- Volatility in Raw Material Prices
Key Target Audience
Flexible Foam Manufacturers, Raw Material Suppliers, Traders/Exporters/Importers, Distributors, and Suppliers, End-use Industries and Others
About Approach
To evaluate and validate the market size various sources including primary and secondary analysis is utilized. AMA Research follows regulatory standards such as NAICS/SIC/ICB/TRCB, to have the better understanding of the market. The market study is conducted on basis of more than 200 companies dealing in the market regional as well as global areas with purpose to understand companys positioning regarding market value, volume and their market share for regional as well as global.
Further to bring relevance specific to any niche market we set and apply number of criteria like Geographic Footprints, Regional Segments of Revenue, Operational Centres, etc. The next step is to finalize a team (In-House + Data Agencies) who then starts collecting C & D level executives and profiles, Industry experts, Opinion leaders etc. and work towards appointment generation.
The primary research is performed by taking the interviews of executives of various companies dealing in the market as well as using the survey reports, research institute, and latest research reports. Meanwhile, analyst team keeps preparing set of questionnaires and after getting appointee list; the target audience are then tapped and segregated with various mediums and channels that are feasible for making connection that includes email communication, telephonic, skype, LinkedIn Group & InMail, Community Forums, Community Forums, open Survey, SurveyMonkey etc.