Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Fire Extinguishing Agent Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth 2030

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Fire Extinguishing Agent Industry Prospective:

The global aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) fire extinguishing agent market size was worth around USD 1270.46 million in 2022 and is predicted to grow to around USD 2103.37 million by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 7.22% between 2023 and 2030.

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Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Fire Extinguishing Agent Market: Overview

Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) is a widely popular fire suppressant that is used for extinguishing fuel fires such as the ones caused by a flammable liquid. Like other variants of fire extinguishers, AFFF helps in cooling the fire while coating it and preventing any further contact with oxygen thus preventing the fire from spreading to other surrounding areas. AFFF is a low-expansion foam and has an expansion ratio that is less than 20. It is highly mobile and has low viscosity which helps in covering larger areas in less time. Aqueous film forming foam are water-based fire suppressants and in most cases contain hydrocarbon-based surfactants such as the likes of sodium alkyl sulfate. However, solvent content of some variants may contain fluorosurfactants including perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), or fluorotelomers. All types of fire suppressants perform different functions and AFFF is well regarded to be used in conjunction with jet fuels or offshore and onshore facilities, military units, training facilities, and others. The demand for AFFF fire extinguishing agent industry is expected to grow at a steady pace during the projection period with the increasing end-user applications.

Key Insights:

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) fire extinguishing agent market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 7.22% over the forecast period (2023-2030)
• In terms of revenue, the global aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) fire extinguishing agent market size was valued at around USD 1270.46 million in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 2103.37 million, by 2030.
• The aqueous film forming foam fire extinguishing agent market is projected to grow at a significant rate due to the rising use of AFFF in offshore facilities
• Based on application segmentation, offshore installations was predicted to show maximum market share in the year 2022
• Based on type segmentation, 6% AFFF was the leading segment in 2022
• On the basis of region, Asia-Pacific was the leading revenue generator in 2022

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Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Fire Extinguishing Agent Market: Growth Drivers

Rising use of AFFF in offshore facilities to drive market growth

The global aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) fire extinguishing agent market is expected to grow owing to the increasing applications and rising offshore projects across the globe. AFFF is a widely used fire suppressant on marine facilities including oil drilling platforms and rigs since the main advantage of using AFFF is its efficiency in controlling fire caused by flammable liquids such as hydrocarbons and oil. The growing investment rate in numerous coastal facilities including the ones belonging to the oil & gas sector, subsea pipelines, submarine cable systems, sea-based wind farms, and other platforms based in oceans and seas are projected to help in driving the demand for AFFF fire extinguishing agents. In September 2023, the world witnessed the inauguration of ambitious projects completed under the joint guidance of Vattenfall, BASF, Dutch King Willem-Alexander, and Allianz in the form of offshore wind farm Hollandse Kust Zuid 1-4. The unit is located in the North Sea and is home to around 139 turbines with a capacity of 1.5 GW. The wind farm is the largest of its kind in the world. Such large-scale projects require extensive support to prevent fire hazards and safety and AFFF may play a crucial role in meeting the safety target.

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Fire Extinguishing Agent Market: Restraints

Slow but steady replacement of AFFF with novel fire extinguishing solutions to restrict market growth

The global aqueous film forming foam fire extinguishing agent market expansion trend is expected to come across several growth restrictions due to the slow phasing out of AFFF and replacing it with modern and more effective fire suppressants. The changing market scenario is a result of extreme emphasis laid down by international and domestic healthcare agencies and environment experts detailing the negative impact of AFFF on the health of living organisms as well as the environment. For instance, in 2021, almost 15 states in the US have either completely banned or put excessive limitations on the use of AFFF and more are expected to follow suit in the coming years. The highly effective but dangerous to human health fire extinguishing agent is being replaced by safer options but it may take some time for all nations to stop using AFFF completely.

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Fire Extinguishing Agent Market: Opportunities

Consistent application in aerospace and military sectors to provide growth opportunities

The demand for AFFF fire extinguishing agents is likely to come across higher growth opportunities as a result of the consistent application of the fire suppressant in the aerospace and military sectors. AFFF is widely deployed in several parts of an airplane and on the runway or other equipment supporting the aerospace industry. The rising number of aircraft-related accidents, especially fuel spills and greater risk of fire hazards, has resulted in the deployment of stricter safety protocols and implementation policies. For instance, in July 2023, Indian airline SpiceJet reported an accident in which a company-owned aircraft caught fire at Delhi airport during engine maintenance. In August 2023, a Southwest Airlines engine was reported to have caught fire mid-flight when traveling from the US to Mexico. The increasing rate of such incidents has pushed the aerospace industry to invest more in safety systems including the use of AFFF as a quick and high-performance fire extinguishing agent. On the other hand, with the increasing expansion rate in the military segment with a higher number of international partnerships and growing regional investments toward enhancing military capabilities, the demand for AFFF in emerging economies could be higher.

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Fire Extinguishing Agent Market: Challenges

Navigating regional regulations and waste disposal to create challenges for future growth

The aqueous film forming foam fire extinguishing agent industry is subject to critical regulations due to the content of the fire suppressants. For instance, as per the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, AFFF is a part of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration hazardous material as it leads to eye and skin irritation. Suppliers and manufacturers of AFFF must comply with all regional regulations to ensure smooth functioning. Simultaneously, there is a significant lack in terms of an accurate disposal process for expired or used AFFF mainly due to the presence of high polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) content which is hazardous to humans.

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Fire Extinguishing Agent Market: Segmentation

The global aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) fire extinguishing agent market is segmented based on application, type, and region.

Based on application, the global market segments are military facilities, petrochemical & chemical plants, airports, tank farms, offshore installations, and others. In 2022, the highest growth was registered for offshore installations primarily due to the vast number of offshore projects initiated in 2022. The segments include building offshore wind farms, oil & gas drilling stations, environmental survey platforms, and other activities. In 2022, the offshore drilling industry was valued at USD 34 billion and by 2030 it is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 8.75%. The military facilities and petrochemical & chemical plants segments are also crucial revenue generators since these facilities are exposed to flammable liquids more often.

Based on type, the aqueous film forming foam fire extinguishing agent industry divisions are 6% AFFF, 3% AFFF, and 1% AFFF. In 2022, the demand was highest for 3% and 6% AFFF. The percentage refers to the amount of water content in the overall solution. 1% AFF has relatively fewer applications since it is not as intense as the other variants in terms of firefighting capabilities. 3% and 6% AFFF are highly effective in curbing Class B fires and are used in industries such as oil & gas and large-scale facilities. If stored correctly, AFFF has a shelf life of 10 to 20 years.

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Fire Extinguishing Agent Market: Report Scope

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Fire Extinguishing Agent Market: Regional Analysis

Asia-Pacific to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period

The global aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) fire extinguishing agent market is expected to witness the highest growth in Asia-Pacific due to the presence of a dominant and robust chemical manufacturing regional industry, especially China and India. Asian nations have large-scale production facilities that produce all critical chemicals and other materials at a capacity that can meet changing global consumption rates. Additionally, these nations are also witnessing a drastic surge in end-user verticals especially offshore projects. For instance, after the Huaneng Group and Fujian Investment & Development Group offered to sell wind power at 0.193 yuan per kWh, the companies were awarded the project to build wind farms off the Fujian coast. In May 2022, the China Petroleum & Chemical Corp announced its intention to invest USD 31 billion in the oil & gas sector. Growth in North America and Europe is expected to be at a slower rate due to several factors responsible for the steady replacement of AFFF with other less environmentally impactful fire-fighting agents. For instance, the European Union has completely banned PFOS leading to a slump in the regional market revenue.

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Fire Extinguishing Agent Market: Competitive Analysis

The global aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) fire extinguishing agent market is led by players like:

• Tyco Fire Products
• 3M Company
• Delta Fire
• National Foam
• Dr. Sthamer
• Kidde Fire Systems
• Angus Fire
• Amerex Corporation
• FireAde
• Buckeye Fire Equipment Company

The global aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) fire extinguishing agent market is segmented as follows:

By Application

• Military Facilities
• Petrochemical & Chemical Plants
• Airports
• Tank Farms
• Offshore Installations
• Others

By Type

• 6% AFFF
• 3% AFFF
• 1% AFFF

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France 
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa