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AMA
Research has published a new report covering the building
insulation market. Available for purchase at £625 from
www.amaresearch.co.uk, the report provides a comprehensive analysis
of the different material sectors (including mineral wools, PUR,
PIR and phenolic). A detailed review of the supply chain, end-use
sectors and distribution channels are provided. The report also
provides a forecast of the market prospects to 2013.
The
building insulation market is a mature market but in recent years
has experienced good levels of growth, mainly as a result of
amendments to the Building Regulations, Government energy saving
initiatives and growth in the construction output in the newbuild
housing and commercial sectors. The market experienced good growth
until 2007 but by the end of the year the impact of the ‘credit
crunch’ began to affect the UK economy and the insulation market.
The start of the recession in 2008 severely impacted the building
insulation market with prospects deteriorating for 2009. However,
the market is anticipated to begin recovery in 2011 and reach an
estimated market size of £760 million by 2013. The market is
expected to continue to be underpinned by CERT, the Building
Regulations and public spending (particularly in the education and
health sectors) Forecasting at this time is extremely difficult and
should the recession be longer and deeper than expected, this
forecast could prove to be optimistic.
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The market is dominated by a leading group of two
manufacturers (Knauf Insulation and Kingspan Insulation) with a group of
four other companies being prominent in the market. The distribution
channels have remained unchanged in recent years with the key
distributors being SIG and Encon.
Mineral wool remains the largest sector in the building
insulation market reflecting the strength of the product in the
structural and roofing sectors. However, the product has lost share to
PIR and PUR in recent years; also penetrating the market further is
phenolic foam. The UK is a net exporter of mineral insulation materials.
The focus of product development is to increase the
thermal performance of the products, lowering their U-values.
Sustainability continues to be important in both the building and
insulation industries with many manufacturers developing their products
to reduce the impact on the environment.
Other factors affecting the building insulation market
include changes to the building mix, the volatility of the Sterling
exchange rate against the US dollar and Euro as well as price increases
across the market, primarily due to increasing fuel and energy prices.
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