Coatings World - December 2016

FEATURE Catherine Diamond, Associate Editor

Biocides are protective substances used to inhibit the growth of bacteria and other pernicious organisms, including fun- gi. Biocides come in a variety of forms, such as halogen or metallic compounds, organic acids and organosulfurs. Each plays an integral role in the paint and coatings, water treatment, wood preservation, and food and beverage industries.

A report published earlier this year by Global Market Insights – titled Biocides Market Size By Application (Food & beverage, Water treatment, Wood Preservation, Paints & Coatings, Personal care, Boilers, HVAC, Fuels, Oil & Gas), By Product (Metallic Compounds, Halogen Compounds, Organic acids, Organosulfurs, Nitrogen, Phenolic), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2015 – 2022 - found that growth in water and waste water treatment applications from industrial and residential sectors is likely to drive biocides market size growth through 2022. The biocides market as a whole is expected to be valued at over $12 billion USD by then, with estimated gains at more than 5.1 percent, according to researchers at Global Market Insights.

“According to estimates, Asia Paci;c and Latin America have
low per-capita consumption owing to non-availability of clean
water for domestic & industrial applications. These regions pro-
vide huge growth opportunities for industry participants in or-
der to maintain hygienic environment along with potable water
availability for residents.”
Speci;c to the paints and coatings industries, an increase in
the applicability of biocides can be attributed to antimicrobial,
antifungal and antibacterial properties coupled with construc-
tion industry growth. These two factors are likely to drive bio-
cides demand. Researchers found that liquid and dry coatings
foster microbial growth either before or after application. They
are added to paints and coating to restrict growth of unwanted
fungus, algae and bacteria which spoil the paint.

Growing environmental and regulatory concerns with regards to use of halogenated compounds such as bromine and chlorine are expected to hamper growth and affect biocides market price trend, the report states. EU introduced and implemented the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR, Regulation (EU) 528/2012) regarding placing and biocides market use. This regulation is aimed at improving functioning of the product market in the union and at the same time ensuring protection for humans and the environment.

“North America, driven by the U.S. biocides market share, dominated demand with valuation exceeding $3.2 billion in 2014. The U.S. accounted for over 75 percent of the revenue share in North America. The US government has allotted sig-ni;cant amount of funds to infrastructural development in recent past which is likely to increase paints and coatings demand in the region and thereby promoting biocides growth,” researchers found.

“Asia Paci;c, dominated by China biocides market share, accounted for over 28 percent of the revenue share and is likely to grow at higher rates up to 2022. Growth of end-use industries such as construction, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and food & beverages is likely to drive demand over the forecast period. The Middle East and Africa, mainly driven by Saudi Arabia, occupies a small portion of the total revenue share and is likely to grow at above average growth rates up to 2022. This region is likely to grow owing to increasing paints & coatings demand due to increasing construction spending by regional governments of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE and Qatar.”