This report addresses the following key questions concerning the thermal insulation market:

• How has the thermal insulation market performed over the last five years?

• How strongly will the market develop over the next five years?

• How have changes to government initiatives affected activity in the retro-fit sector?

• What are the drivers for market growth?

• How have companies involved in the market faired during the last five years?

The market for thermal insulation incorporates both materials used in the building sector and industrial applications. Both sectors of the market are analysed in this report.

The building thermal insulation sector includes a range of products, such as:

• wall insulation, including cavity, internal and external installation

• loft insulation

• roof insulation

• draught proofing

• pipe and cylinder lagging

• floor insulation

The industrial thermal insulation sector includes products used in process plant applications and the heating and ventilation sector.

Insulation materials are either inorganic or organic. Inorganic materials are produced from minerals, while organic materials are derived from oil. These products are available in either rigid or flexible form, utilising air as a natural insulator.

The main rigid in organic thermal insulation materials include:

• glass mineral wool slabs and pipe sections

• rock mineral wool slabs and pipe sections

• calcium silicate

• magnesia

• cellular glass

• microporous silica slabs, mouldings and pipe sections

Rigid organic insulation products are manufactured from a range of materials including:

• PUR

• PIR

• phenolic foam

• expanded polystyrene

• extruded polystyrene

• rigid cellular plastics

Flexible inorganic insulation materials principally include:

• glass mineral wool rolls and mats

• rock mineral wool rolls and mats

• ceramic fibre rolls and mats

The principal flexible organic materials are manufactured from:

• expanded nitrile rubber

• polyethylene foam

• flexible polyurethane foam

Glass mineral wool products are produced in a variety of forms, including flexible rolls, rigid slabs and preformed pipe sections. These products are particularly suitable for thermal and acoustic applications and are widely used in the heating and ventilation sector. Other applications include vehicles, ships, buildings and other industrial applications. Glass mineral wool is typically available in a range of thicknesses from 20 mm to 100 mm and has a temperature range of up to 230^OC.

Rock mineral wool is available in a similar range of thicknesses and is used to produce lightweight rolls, heavy rigid slabs and preformed pipe sections. Rock mineral wool products are used for thermal insulation, fire protection and sound installation in construction, ships, commerce and industry. Rock mineral wool has a temperature range of 850^OC.

Calcium silicate is widely used in industrial process plant applications when high temperature limit and good compressive strength are required. Other applications include underground pipework and district heating mains applications. The product is produced in thicknesses of between 85 mm and 100 mm and has a temperature range of 800^OC.

Magnesia is widely specified in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic processing sectors and in process environments where the use of a clear, inert product is required. Magnesia is produced in thicknesses ranging from 25 mm to 88 mm, with a temperature range of up to 315^OC.

Cellular glass is an impermeable, closed cell material, used widely as an insulation material for pipework in the petrochemical, gas and other process industries. Cellular glass has an extensive temperature range from -260^OC to 430^OC and is produced in thicknesses of between 40 mm and 130 mm. Cellular glass has a high compressive strength and is used in the insulation of tank bases and as a building insulant in roofs, floors and walls.

Microporous silica insulation is widely used in storage heating systems and for high temperature industrial applications. The product is available in thicknesses of between 3 mm and a 75 mm and can withstand temperatures of up to 1050 ^OC.

PUR is used in medium to heavy-duty refrigeration applications for reducing heat gain and condensation control. The major market sectors for this product includes cold storage units, refrigerated vehicles and tankers. PUR has a temperature range of -185^OC to 110^OC.

PIR is used to insulate medium temperature pipework and equipment in the petrochemical, gas and process sectors. It is also used to assist temperature control of refrigerated vehicles, road and rail tankers and to insulate buildings and ducting and pipework. PIR has a temperature range of -185^OC to 140^OC.

Phenolic foam is used in commercial and institutional heating and ventilation applications where high insulation standards are required and restrictions on space. Phenolic foam also competes with PUR and PIR materials on the lower and medium temperature applications where fire ratings are critical. The material has increased in importance in the construction sector, where it is used to meet the higher insulation standards specified by building regulations without reducing available space. Phenolic foam has a temperature range of -185^OC to 120^OC.

Expanded polystyrene is a closed cell, integral vapour barrier material that has traditionally proved popular for refrigeration pipework. However, its main use is in structural applications, such as cold storage units or housing applications, where it is frequently laminated to non-combustible building boards. The product is available in thicknesses of between 12 mm and a 610 mm and has a temperature range of -100^OC to 80^OC.

Extruded polystyrene is also a closed cell, integral vapour barrier material and is used in structural applications. The product has a temperature range of -180^OC to 75^OC.

Expanded nitrile rubber is a closed integral vapour barrier material that was originally developed for condensation control on refrigeration pipework and chilled water lines. However, the product now has extensive applications in the heating and ventilation sector, as well as in the domestic heating and plumbing markets. Flexible rubber insulation is available in thicknesses of between 6 mm and 32 mm and has a temperature range of -40^OC to 116^OC.

Polyethylene foam is also widely used in domestic heating and plumbing applications and is a closed cell flexible insulant. Insulation material thicknesses range from 6 mm to 38 mm and have a temperature range of up to 100^OC.

Flexible polyurethane foams (filled grades) are open cell materials that provide high levels of noise absorption. Consequently, they are principally used as acoustic ducting lines. The foams are available in thicknesses of between 19 mm and 100 mm and have a temperature range of 20^OC to 105^OC.

All values quoted in this report are at current prices unless otherwise specified. The majority of the market size data is quoted at contractors' prices. Where applicable, market values quoted at contractors’ prices also include the value of DIY installations.

Value figures are exclusive of VAT unless stated otherwise

Reports are researched and written by MBD’s in-house, specialist business-to-business consultants. Research is based on both an analysis of official information and on original, trade research, providing both a quantitative and qualitative view of the market. MBD’s unique range of frequently updated reports provide an integrated body of ongoing research, enabling deep understanding of the prevailing trends and of the drivers of these trends based on trade opinion.

The following abbreviations appear in this report:

Demand for thermal insulation is dependent on the end-use markets, which vary between sectors. Much of the industry is dependent on the construction sector, including both new construction and refurbishment. The standards required for thermal insulation in buildings are established in building regulations. In recent years, a number of amendments to these regulations have impacted the thermal insulation market.

The UK process plant sector, particularly power generation and the petrochemical industry, are also significant in determining demand for industrial thermal insulation, while the heating and ventilation sector is another major source of demand.

In both the building and industrial thermal insulation sectors, there is increased environmental concern, particularly with regard to reducing carbon dioxide emissions in line with international legislation. During the last decade, the UK government has introduced a number of programmes to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, which have resulted in strong demand for thermal insulation. Competition in the sector for different materials is largely dependent on fashions and perceived environmental performance against cost. However, recent schemes such as the Green Guide also increasingly take into account the sustainability and energy efficiency of the manufacturing process of the insulation materials themselves, rather than just their thermal performance.