MELAMINE FOAM BLOCK MARKET ANALYSIS

The melamine foam block market size is expected to reach US$ 2.20 Bn by 2030, from US$ 1.29 Bn in 2022, at a CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast period. Melamine foam is a foam like material made from the thermosetting plastic polymer melamine resin. It is used for soundproofing and thermal insulation in buildings, transportation, and industry. The market is driven by the rising demand from the building and construction industry.

The melamine foam block market is segmented by type, application, end-user industry, by Production Process ,by Density, by Price Range and region. By type, the market is segmented into rigid melamine foam, semi-rigid melamine foam, and flexible melamine foam. Rigid melamine foam is expected to account for the largest share during the forecast period owing to its increasing use in construction and transportation applications.

Melamine Foam Block Market Regional Insights

• North America is the largest market for melamine foam block, accounting for a share of over 30% in 2023. The growth of the market in this region is driven by the increasing demand for melamine foam block in the construction, automotive, and electronics industries.
• Europe is the second largest market for melamine foam block, accounting for a share of over 25% in 2023. The growth of the market in this region is driven by the increasing demand for melamine foam block in the automotive, furniture, and packaging industries.
• Asia Pacific is the fastest growing market for melamine foam block, with a CAGR of over 10% from 2023 to 2030. The growth of the market in this region is driven by the increasing demand for melamine foam block in the construction, automotive, and electronics industries.

Figure 1. Global Melamine Foam Block Market Share (%), by Region, 2023

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Melamine Foam Block Market Drivers

• Increasing use in HVAC systems: The use of melamine foam in Heating , Ventilation,Airconditing (HVAC ) systems for noise control and thermal insulation is driving the market growth. For instance, Statistics from the International Energy Agency (IEA) show AC and air source heat pump stock is projected to more than triple between 2018 to 2050 across developing Asian nations as their populations and incomes grow .
• High demand from transportation industry: The transportation industry is increasingly using melamine foam for noise control in vehicles, ships, and aircraft. This is expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. For instance as per Public Roads Administration statistics, passenger vehicle production saw a rise of over 15% from 2020 to 2022 globally. With more vehicles being manufactured, demand for lightweight insulating materials like melamine foam has increased substantially.
• Rapid urbanization in emerging economies: Rapid urbanization and population growth in emerging economies are leading to an increase in construction activities. This is driving the demand for melamine foam for insulation and soundproofing.For instance as per World Bank data, India's total infrastructure spending rose from 4% of GDP in 2016 to around 5.5% of GDP in 2022. Growing spending on construction of urban mass transportation systems, commercial buildings, healthcare and education infrastructure is propelling the uptake of melamine foam as an efficient insulation material. Its ability to withstand humidity also makes it suitable for tropical climate zones experiencing fast urban development.
• Strict regulations for noise control: Stringent regulations regarding noise control in developed regions are resulting in increased adoption of melamine foam-based solutions. This is positively impacting market growth. For instance as per statistics from the World Health Organization, road traffic noise alone affected over 100 million people in western European countries in 2017. With more rigorous policies being adopted that set lower decibel limits, especially in densely populated urban areas, the acoustic insulation market is anticipated to surg

Melamine Foam Block Market Opportunities

• Increasing adoption in developing regions: The growing construction and manufacturing sectors in developing regions such as Asia Pacific and Latin America present significant growth opportunities for melamine foam suppliers.For instance as per UN Habitat data, the urban population is projected to grow by 60% in Africa and 50% in Asia by 2030. This will lead to a ballooning need for insulation to regulate temperatures in the growing number of residential and commercial constructions. Meanwhile, household consumption expenditures are projected to double in Africa and increase 80% in Asia by 2030 according to World Bank estimates.
• Innovation in product offerings: Manufacturers have opportunities to launch innovative product offerings such as melamine foam with added capabilities like fire resistance, moisture resistance, etc. This can help gain a greater market share.For instance as per the UN Environment Programme 2020 report, developing bio-based melamine foam blocks from recycled paper or agricultural waste can boost circularity. Block manufacturers investing in renewable energy sources for operations and partnering with recyclers for closed-loop recycling will help achieve sustainability goals. The current foam waste recycling rate of 30% in Europe needs to increase to meet 2030 climate targets
• Applications in new industries: Expanding the application of melamine foam in relatively untapped industries such as marine, consumer appliances, etc. through research and development can offer growth opportunities for players in the market. For instance Sea transport currently accounts for nearly 3% of the world's CO2 emissions according to Our World in Data statistics from 2022
• Sustainability trend: The shift towards sustainable insulation materials is an opportunity for melamine foam suppliers to position it as an eco-friendly product in green buildings. This can attract new consumers in the construction sector.For instance . as per UN report published in 2021, about 10 million tons of melamine foam and polymers are disposed of annually across the world. Utilizing this waste to manufacture new melamine foam blocks can significantly reduce landfill waste and lower carbon footprint of the product.

Melamine Foam Block Market Trends

• Increasing adoption of eco-friendly insulation: There is a rising trend toward using eco-friendly insulation materials like melamine foam due to its recyclability and low VOCs. This supports market growth.For instance data from Eurostat, building construction in the EU grew by 4% from 2019 to 2021 indicating higher uptake of green building materials. With its clean production process and recyclability, melamine foam blocks are well positioned to gain market share in this growing space of eco-friendly insulation.
• Emergence of flexible melamine foam: Flexible melamine foam is an emerging trend owing to its easy installation around curved surfaces. Companies are developing flexible foam variants. For instance as per 2020 data from the U.S. International Trade Commission, imports of "other" melamine products containing flexible foam increased over 26% between 2019 to 2020, indicating rising popularity
• Growing do-it-yourself (DIY)trend: The do-it-yourself (DIY )trend among consumers for small soundproofing and insulation projects is resulting in the sale of melamine foam through retail channels. Companies are targeting DIY customers. For instance According to the Home Care Association, 54% of American households reported engaging in at least one major DIY home project in 2021.
• Advancements in manufacturing technology: Manufacturers are adopting technologies like digital printing to provide decorative finishes on melamine foam. This provides business opportunities.For instance as an example, according to a 2022 study published by PricewaterhouseCoopers on recent capital investments in US manufacturing, BASF spent $100 million between 2020-2022 to expand production capacity and introduce new manufacturing technologies at their Arizona plant that produces melamine foam blocks. These technology upgrades focused on areas like molding, trimming and product handling automation.

Melamine Foam Block Market Restrain

• Fluctuations in raw material prices such as melamine and formaldehyde can hamper the profit margins of manufacturers. This restrains market growth.For instance as per the World Bank Commodities Price Data from April 2022, the price of natural gas in Europe surged by almost 60% since the beginning of the war which will inevitably raise input costs for melamine foam producers in the near future.

Counter balance: Relying on multiple suppliers from different regions can reduce the risk of being negatively impacted by a price spike in one locale.        

• Availability of substitutes: The presence of alternative insulation materials like polyurethane foam, mineral wool, etc. restricts the adoption of melamine foam in some applications.For instance as per the Food and Agriculture Organization (2022), global production of sheep wool was 1.1 million tons in 2021 and is expected to grow at 2% annually between 2022-2025. The demand for natural and eco-friendly products has increased significantly post COVID-19 pandemic. More construction projects are opting for greener alternatives like sheep wool and hemp over melamine foam blocks for achieving sustainability certification.

Counter balance: Melamine foam's unique combination of lightweight, sound-absorbing, thermal insulating, and fire-resistant properties can be emphasized to distinguish it from substitutes.

• Limitations in high temperature applications: The inability of melamine foam to withstand very high temperatures above 250°C limits its use, thereby hindering market growth.For instance according to the International Energy Agency's Global EV Outlook 2020 report, electric car stock across major global markets grew by 43% in 2019 to over 7.2 million.

Counter balance: Investing in research and development to improve the thermal properties of melamine foam may result in innovative products with wider applications.

• Health hazards of formaldehyde exposure: Exposure to traces of formaldehyde emissions from melamine foam is a major health concern. This can make regulatory compliance challenging. For instance according to the data published by the US EPA in 2020, the average formaldehyde concentration levels measured in various homes ranged from 16.6 μg/m3 to 61 μg/m3 which is above the recommended lifetime cancer risk level of 0.2 μg/m3 to 1.3 μg/m3

Counter balance: Develop and implement manufacturing processes that minimize formaldehyde emissions to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations.

Analyst view

The melamine foam block market has significant growth potential driven by increasing demand for soundproofing and insulation materials. As industrialization and construction activity rises globally, especially in developing Asian markets, the need for effective and affordable acoustic solutions will rise. Melamine foam blocks provide good sound absorption and are a cheaper alternative to traditional insulation materials. Further, growing awareness about noise pollution and the health impact of excessive noise could drive more customers to consider melamine foam for soundproofing applications.

However, market growth may be restrained by the availability of cheaper substitute materials. Competitors like fiberglass, mineral wool, and bamboo-based acoustic panels offer comparable performance at lower prices. Moreover, North America and European markets are nearing saturation, limiting opportunities in those regions.

Nevertheless, the Asia Pacific region, led by China, India, and other Southeast Asian countries, is expected to become the dominant and fastest growing market for melamine foam blocks. With ongoing industrialization and the massive growth of the construction industry, demand from applications like real estate, automotive manufacturing, and appliance plants will surge. Furthermore, growing urban populations and increasing discretionary incomes will boost do-it-yourself applications and retail sales.

In summary, while facing competition and maturity in key markets, the melamine foam block industry has strong prospects driven by expanding manufacturing and construction sectors primarily in developing Asian countries. However, high

Recent Developments

New product launches

• BASF introduced Basotect G+, a new melamine resin foam for flat roof insulation. It offers excellent thermal insulation and moisture protection. BASF comprises subsidiaries and joint ventures in more than 80 countries, operating six integrated production sites and 390 other production sites across Europe, Asia, Australia, the Americas and Africa.[5] BASF has customers in over 190 countries and supplies products to a wide variety of industries. Despite its size and global presence, BASF has received relatively little public attention since it abandoned the manufacture and sale of BASF-branded consumer electronics products in the 1990s
• Puren launched melamine foam tubes for insulating pipes and HVAC systems. It prevents condensation and energy loss. Melamine foam insulation is known for its high thermal insulation properties, which can help reduce heat transfer and prevent energy loss. Additionally, the foam's open-cell structure and high sound absorption can help reduce noise and vibration in HVAC systems. By preventing condensation, melamine foam insulation can also help prevent moisture damage and mold growth in pipes and HVAC systems
• SINOYQX developed flexible melamine foam sheets that offer easy installation around curved surfaces. It improves product adoption. SINOYQX is a prominent manufacturer of melamine foam, offering a wide range of products for various applications. The company's melamine foam exhibits excellent sound absorption, flame retardancy, heat insulation, lightweight, and wide temperature operation. SINOYQX's melamine foam is widely used in architectural acoustics, professional acoustics, equipment acoustic noise reduction, aerospace, automobile manufacturing, rail manufacturing, ship & yachts manufacturing, pipe acoustic and thermal insulation, power station, filtration, and large equipment.

Acquisition and partnerships

• In 2021, Recticel acquired FoamPartner, expanding its position in acoustic and thermal insulation foams, including melamine foam.
• BASF partnered with MAHLE in 2020 to develop melamine resin foam for e-mobility thermal management solutions.

Figure 2. Global Melamine Foam Block Market Share (%), by Application, 2023

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Top companies in Melamine Foam Block Market

• BASF SE
• SINOYQX
• Puyang Green Yingli New Material Tech Co. Ltd
• BEIJING GUOJIAN ANKE
• ZHEJIANG LIN'AN YUNQING MELAMINE PLASTIC FOAM CO.
• PentaClick
• Acoufelt
• Clark Foam
• Reilly Foam Corporation
• Soundcoat
• Festa
• Others

Definition: Melamine foam, also known as melamine resin foam, refers to a foam-like material made from melamine resin, which is a thermoset plastic polymer. It is manufactured by impregnating melamine and formaldehyde into a foam structure with the help of a foaming agent. The open-cell structure of melamine foam gives it excellent sound absorption and insulation properties while being very lightweight. It is a durable, fire-resistant, and moisture-resistant material available in rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible forms. Melamine foam has wide applications across industries such as construction, transportation, and industrial manufacturing for purposes ranging from insulation, soundproofing, damping, filtration, and cushioning. It is increasingly being used as a sustainable alternative to materials like polyurethane foam owing to its recyclability and reusability.