Extruded Polystyrene Market Thermal Insulation 2023
Disclaimer
IAL Consultants has collated information from publicly available sources (e.g.,
annual reports, company websites and press releases), as well as gathering
economic indicators and interviewing industry experts, in order to generate this
report. The findings and conclusions expressed in this report are those of the
author(s) and not necessarily those of the interview respondents. The information
expressed in this report reflects the author(s)’ perceptions of the market at the time
of writing based on the current market trends and is subject to change from time to
time.
Although every effort has been made to validate the accuracy of the information
provided in this report, IAL Consultants makes no guarantee for the accuracy,
completeness, reliability, currency and/or usefulness of the information provided
herein. IAL Consultants cannot guarantee the report’s compatibility with other
studies published by the company.
The information provided in this report should be interpreted as indicative guidance
only. IAL Consultants will not accept liability for damage of any kind, including loss
of income or profit, incurred in connection with the use of this report.
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Report Overview
This report examines the European market for thermal insulation products and their
different uses in building and in industry, as well as identifying key trends impacting
the industry.
It builds up from previous data held in-house by IAL Consultants. All data has been
reviewed and updated for this new edition.
Scope of Study
IAL Consultants’ report on the European Market for Thermal Insulation Products is
comprised of ‘Country’ and ‘Market’ volumes.
This report is a Market Volume report.
Country volumes focus on identifying the demand for common thermal insulation
materials used in a given country/region.
Market volumes focus on identifying the demand for a given insulation material in
Europe in a country-by-country analysis.
Country and Market Volumes are available as follows:
Country Volumes
The following countries are included in the country volumes:
Austria, Baltics (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK.
Country Volumes cover the following products:
Glass wool, stone wool, expanded polystyrene (EPS – grey and white), extruded
polystyrene (XPS), polyurethane/polyisocyanurate (PUR and PIR) foam, phenolic
foam, flexible insulation materials (expanded nitrile rubber (ENR) and polyethylene
(PE)), renewable insulation materials (e.g., wool, flax/hemp, cellulose, wood fibre),
and vacuum insulation panels (VIPs)/aerogel.
Market Volumes
Market Volumes cover the following products: mineral fibre (glass and stone wool),
expanded polystyrene (grey and white), extruded polystyrene, and
polyurethane/polyisocyanurate foam.
Market Volumes provide data for the countries/regions listed above.
Methodology
The information included in this study is based on both secondary and primary
sources. The desk research examined relevant technical and trade journals,
published official statistics, and figures derived from trade associations. The
primary interview programme included high-level respondents in companies
manufacturing, distributing and/or installing thermal insulation materials.
Actual consumption figures are provided for 2022, which has been taken as the
base year. Figures are in volume (m3 and tonnes) and value (€). Typical densities
have been used to convert between the different volume units, and average prices
have been used to convert from volume to value. However, it must be noted that
material densities and prices can vary significantly for a given material according to
the product’s intended end use.
The study also presents five-year forecasts to 2027, derived from industry and
economic indicators, as well as other relevant legislative, commercial and/or
technical issues likely to affect individual countries, thermal insulation materials and
products, and the end uses to where these are applied.
Small discrepancies may appear in the total figures due to rounding.
Given the current uncertainties in the global economic and political situation,
forecasts for 2023 and beyond are based on the latest information available at the
time of publication, and IAL has endeavoured to factor in the latest developments.
However, given the fluidity of circumstances at this time, we recognise that these
forecasts are likely to be superseded by events, and therefore IAL may be updating
them, as appropriate, in any subsequent update of our estimates.
Thermal Insulation Materials Overview
Various factors affect the type and amount of thermal insulation required. These
can include:
Climate
Durability
Ease of installation and replacement at end of life
Cost effectiveness
Toxicity
Flammability
Environmental impact and sustainability
Energy efficiency
A brief description of each of the insulation materials covered within this study is
given below although, in reality, a combination of these can be used.
Mineral Fibres
Mineral fibre, or wool, is a non-metallic, inorganic material normally derived from
glass or rock. Both glass wool and stone wool can be used in similar applications,
except where high temperature resistance and fire protection are required. Stone
wool can withstand temperatures up to 1,177oC, whereas glass wool can only be
used up to 400oC.
Mineral fibres can be manufactured into a wide variety of physical forms and
shapes and to a range of densities, depending upon the intended application. The
most common forms are:
Rolls or blankets, typically for use in loft insulation
Laminated matting, for use in heating, water pipes, ventilation and air
conditioning ducts, containers, cooling and tank systems
Rigid slabs for:
(i) Flat and pitched mansard roofs, loft conversions, cavity walls and ceilings
(ii) Concrete floors
(iii) External wall dry ventilated cladding systems
(iv) Process plant apparatus engineering, furnace construction and plant
engineering
Fibre bonded to plasterboard for dry lining and semi-structural applications
Shells and moulded pipe sections for process plant and domestic cooking
appliances
Sprayed, for asbestos encapsulation, or blown, for loft and wall insulation, in old
or irregularly shaped buildings.
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)
EPS is a relatively low-cost material with excellent insulating properties. Its
lightweight nature means that it adds little to structural weight, yet still offers high
dimensional stability. The foam is closed cell and therefore resistant to water
penetration, although it is not a water vapour barrier. EPS does not deteriorate, it is
non-toxic, non-irritant, and does not contain blowing agents. EPS has a low thermal
conductivity and therefore good thermal insulation properties. Its chief
disadvantages are its susceptibility to physical damage, its flammability
characteristics, and its low resistance to chemical attack, including substances like
dilute acids, alkalis, methanol and i-propanol. EPS foam can also be used at
extremely low temperatures without any time restriction.
EPS is typically encountered in three forms:
(i) As rigid lightweight slab or board for use in wall, floor and roof insulation and
cavity fill
(ii) EPS sheet bonded to plaster for use in dry lining and roofing extensions
(iii) Loose fill bead for use in cavity fill and loft insulation
For the first time, the EPS market is segmented into grey EPS and white EPS.
Extruded Polystyrene (XPS)For extrusion, polystyrene with a high viscosity is most suitable, i.e., products with
a melt volume index (MVI) of 200/5 in the lower end of the range between 1 and 7
ml/10min.
The physical properties of XPS mean that it can be used in board form in roofing,
flooring and walling applications. The low moisture absorption of the material
makes it ideal for use in cold storage facilities and refrigerated transport, where it is
subjected to freeze/thaw cycles. The high compressive strength of the material also
makes it ideal for load-bearing applications. XPS does not rot and has relatively
high thermal insulation properties.
Due to its cost, XPS tends to be used in specialist areas where its properties are
specifically required.