Demand to grow over 5% per year to 2007
US demand for emission control products is forecast to grow slightly over five percent annually through 2007. Overall demand is being driven by the regulatory environ-ment, as increasingly stricter rules governing industrial and motor vehicle emissions require that the release of particular pollutants be reduced. Although the nature of specific regulations covering emissions is subject to change due to political considerations, the general trend will be toward reductions in targeted emissions.
Consumer/commercial markets fastest growing
Transportation equipment is the largest market for emission control products, consisting primarily of catalytic converter products for motor vehicles. Although the basic market (products for light vehicles) is mature and slow-growing, a number of smaller market niches are poised for growth. For example, stricter rules on diesel fuel emis-sions will spark growth in catalytic converters and particulate emission traps for trucks, buses, construction equipment and other diesel engines. Marine vehicles (particularly cargo ships), materials handling equip-ment and railroad equipment will also face more restrictive emissions requirements, boosting demand in these niches.
Utilities (primarily coal-fired elec-tric utilities) are also a key market for a wide variety of emission control products, including particu-late filters and emissions catalysts. Given the growing demand for electricity in the United States and the economic advantages of coal as a fuel (particularly against more expensive, but cleaner natural gas), the consumption of emission control products by electric utilities will continue to advance.
The consumer and commercial market will record the most rapid growth in demand, albeit from a very small base. Demand for pollution control devices such as carbon monoxide sensors and air purification filters is growing due to increased concern over the quality of indoor air, a segment of the in-dustry that is generating increasing interest.
Sensors, membranes to record most rapid product gains
Emission control components (par-ticularly sensors and membranes) will record the most rapid gains, due to regulatory factors, increased sales volume, entry into new market niches and rising prices. Sorbents (activated carbon and zeolites) and basic chemicals used to neutralize emissions will show slower gains, due to their commodity nature and generally lower and more stable pricing. Emission catalysts will
continue to expand out of older, more mature markets (such as catalytic converters for light vehicles) into more promising market niches, such as heavy vehicles, utilities and other stationary emissions control applications.
Study coverage
Details on these and other key findings are available in a new Freedonia study, Emission Control Components & Materials, priced at $3800. This US study focuses on products consumed in the pro-cess of reducing air pollution. Historical data to 2002 plus forecasts to 2007 and 2012 are provided by product and region. It also assesses market share and profiles key players.
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