Market to Benefit from Increased Demand for Improved Acoustic Performance

Suspended ceilings are used in range of end use sectors including offices, education and healthcare as well as others such as entertainment & leisure and industrial. The commercial sector is the key sector stimulating demand, with most commercial building projects having suspended ceilings. They are the largest uninterrupted surface and are an important component of the overall appearance and acoustic quality of the finished space.

Partitioning systems enable smaller, more private spaces to be created within open plan areas and with the uptake in working practices – e.g. ‘touchdown areas’, ‘breakout areas’ and ‘creative pods’ – demand for products with good acoustic properties has grown. Between 2016 and 2019 there had been modest year-on-year growth but the impact of the pandemic on office working practices has resulted in a drop in demand in 2020.

Demand for suspended ceilings and partitions will largely depend on the level of construction new work, fit-out and RMI activity in the office and retail sectors, the outcome of the trade negotiations & agreements and internal market influences such as the changing office environment and demand for office space as well as any changes in material prices and shortages.

Sustained demand will partly be supported by increasing demand for products with superior acoustic insulation properties, the growing interest in products with recycled content and lightweight materials to help maintain and improve indoor air quality and efficiencies of resources (such as water and energy) as well as the use in manufacturing of low VOC material-based products.