Global Low-Frequency Sound-Absorbing Insulation Materials Market - 2022-2029

Global Low-Frequency Sound-Absorbing Insulation Materials Market - 2022-2029

Market Overview

Low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials market size was worth US$ XX million in 2021 and is estimated to reach US$ XX million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 1.7% during the forecast period (2022-2029).

Low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials are used to insulate a space from low-frequency sound waves. Low-frequency sound waves have a frequency of less than 500Mhz on the octave band. Low-frequency noise is barely perceptible; however, long-term exposure to it can cause headaches, dizziness, heart palpitations, fatigue and vertigo.

Nearly all major enclosed spaces utilize sound-absorbing insulation material to mitigate the impact of low-frequency noise. The low-frequency sound-absorbing material is mainly used to insulate premium segment passenger and commercial vehicles, ships and aircraft. Special purpose buildings such as recording studios and movie theaters also utilize low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials to mitigate or eliminate background noise.

Market Dynamics

The low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials demand is mainly driven by the increasing global demand for premium automobiles. The increasing usage of active noise cancellation systems is a key factor in limiting the growth of this market.

The increasing global demand for premium automobiles

Increasing economic development and rising wages are changing consumer spending habits globally. The changes are more pronounced in developing regions such as Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific, where high economic growth has created a sizeable upper middle class with high disposable income. In these regions, the upper middle class tends to skew towards younger and more aspirational age groups. These groups primarily generate the demand for luxury and premium vehicles, which view luxury vehicles as an aspiration and a status symbol.

Automotive companies respond to growing demand by expanding their product portfolios and collaborating with banks and financial institutions for easy credit solutions. Low down payments, attractive interest rates and low monthly payments are some attractive financing options designed to lure in new customers.

The financing schemes mainly target young working high-income professionals such as architects and doctors. Consumers are also becoming more discerning, increasing demand for exquisite build quality and integrating the latest technologies. Therefore, the global demand for premium automobiles is a key driver for the global low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials market.

The increasing usage of active noise cancellation systems

Low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials have been mainly used to ensure automobiles' soundproofing. The materials have excellent sound insulation abilities and economic costs. However, with the growing technological advancements of recent years, many new methods have been developed for sound insulation. In recent years, one of the more widely used methods is active noise cancellation systems.

The active noise cancellation system uses a speaker and stereo system within the car to generate sound waves that cancel out the ambient sounds in the background. The technology was first used in headphones but has become increasingly sophisticated. Modern active noise cancellation systems can dynamically adapt to the changing ambient noise. Furthermore, there is no requirement to modify the automobile since the system can work on an existing car stereo.

Although active noise cancellation systems are more expensive, the costs have been lowered over the last decade due to innovation and increasing demand. Due to weight-saving advantages, many luxury cars utilize active noise cancellation systems instead of traditional sound insulation materials. Increasing active noise cancellation systems is a key challenge to the global low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials market.

COVID-19 impact analysis

The global low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials market was disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which swept the world in early 2020. Automotive manufacturers drastically scaled-down production or outright suspended operations to comply with government pandemic directives. When the epidemiological situation improved in mid to late 2020, manufacturing started with social distancing and other pandemic directives. Automotive production is expected to fully recover by mid to late 2021, in line with the improvement in consumer sentiment.

The production of low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials was affected due to the collapse in demand from the automotive industries. The second-order effects of the pandemic, such as global supply chain disruptions, have caused shortages of raw materials and chemicals to produce insulation materials.

A limited quantity of supply is available and hence there is reduced production, although demand has increased and almost recovered from the effects of the pandemic. It has led to higher prices for insulation materials, thereby contributing to the inflationary pressure on global industries. The situation is not expected to normalize before the end of 2022 fully. Although there are significant challenges in the aftermath of the pandemic, it is not expected to impact the long-term growth prospects of the global low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials market. The demand for low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials remains strong and is expected to grow gradually in the coming years.

Segment Analysis

The global low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials market is segmented into material, form, end-user and region. The low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials market by end-user is further segmented into automotive and transportation, aerospace and defense, marine and others.

Automotive and transportation are leading in this segmentation since it requires the largest end-user of low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation material. The number of passengers and commercial vehicles far outnumbers ships and aircraft. Engine bonnet, door trim, boot space and floor area are some places where sound-absorbing insulation material is applied.

Geographical Analysis

Europe is leading in the global low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials market. Europe accounts for the largest market share primarily due to the region's high concentration of luxury and premium car manufacturers. Leading global luxury brands such as BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Renault and Fiat are based in the region and have manufacturing operations.

European-made luxury and premium segment cars are world-renowned for their build quality, including low ambient noise in the cabin. The extensive use of low-frequency sound-insulation materials achieves low ambient noise levels. European countries such as Germany, France, UK and Italy are the main hub for manufacturing and global export of luxury and premium segment automobiles.

In the early 2000s, European automotive manufacturers started exporting a significant chunk to countries in Asia-Pacific. Rapid industrialization, high economic growth and a younger aspirational demographic were key factors in rising luxury vehicle sales in the region. Automotive companies have also started assembly operations in countries such as India and China. Although Europe is expected to retain the largest regional share in the short term, the shift in consumption patterns strongly suggests that Asia-Pacific will have a leading share of the global low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials in the long term.

Competitive Landscape

The global low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials market is competitive due to a wide variety of low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials that cater to different end-use applications. Some of the major players contributing to growth in the market are BASF SE, Saint-Gobain S.A., Autoneum, DuPont, Arkema S.A., Toray Industries Inc., Kaneka Corporation, Dongguan Yuanyuan Sponge Products Co., Ltd, Beijing Wan Yun Hua Rui Chemical Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation. The major players in the market adopt growth strategies such as new product launches, innovating new materials, patenting new technologies, joint ventures and collaborations to contribute to the growth of the global industry.

BASF SE

Overview: BASF SE is a chemical corporation based in Germany that manufactures chemicals for various sectors. The company's portfolio includes products from 13 areas: transportation, chemicals, construction, electronics & electricity, energy & resources, furniture & wood, home care and cleaning, agriculture and other industries. BASF SE has 6 global production locations and 241 additional industrial sites in over 90 countries, with retail and distribution networks reaching more than 190 countries. BASF SE was founded by German industrialist Friedrich Engelhorn in 1865 and is headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany.

Product Portfolio

Bastotect is BASF SE's proprietary low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation foam designed for various applications. It is an open-cell foam made from melamine resin. The foam is lightweight with high sound absorption capacity. It has good thermal insulation and can maintain its physical properties over a wide operating temperature range. The foam also exhibits high abrasive resistance and flame retardant properties.

Key Developments:

In October 2019, BASF SE released Bastotect UF+, a new and improved version of its sound-absorbing insulation foam. The foam has a low density of 7 kg/m³ and is certified to ASTM C1410 fire safety standards for industrial applications. The foam is intended primarily for HVAC, automotive and rail vehicle insulation.

Why Purchase the Report?
• Visualize the composition of the low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials market segmentation by the material, form, end-user and region, highlighting the critical commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities in the low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials market by analyzing trends and co-development deals.
• Excel data sheet with thousands of global low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials market-level 4/5 segmentation data points.
• PDF report with the most relevant analysis cogently put together after exhaustive qualitative interviews and in-depth market study.
• Product mapping in excel for the critical product of all major market players

The global low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials market report would provide approximately 58 market data tables, 57 figures and 220 pages.

Target Audience 2022
• Low-frequency sound-absorbing insulation materials manufacturers
• Automotive manufacturers
• Automotive component manufacturers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Education & Research Institutes
• Research Professionals