US demand for specialty biocides to rise 3.9% annually through 2018

US demand for specialty biocides is forecast to rise 3.9 percent per year to $4.3 billion in 2018. In volume terms, demand is projected to increase 1.3 percent per year to 1.5 billion pounds over the same period. A strong rebound in construction expenditures will support demand for biocides in the wood preservation and paint and coatings markets, while growth in consumer spending and manufacturing output will support demand for biocides used in the production of various manufactured goods. In the smaller energy market, biocide demand will be promoted by a continued expansion in hydraulic fracturing activities, which require well stimulation fluids that contain biocides.

Paint & coatings segment to pace industrial markets

Improving economic conditions, coupled with a rising emphasis on improved sanitation in production processes and workplaces, will be the primary driver of growth in the industrial markets for biocides. Biocides for use in cleaning products are expected to remain the largest industrial market, and will show favorable growth prospects going forward as concerns about hospital-acquired infections, food contamination, and other health issues continue to rise. In the industrial grouping, the paint and coatings market for biocides is expected to show the fastest gains through 2018, with biocide demand supported by increasing demand for paint in new construction and building maintenance applications, and by the continued growth in demand for water-based architectural paints, which require higher levels of biocides. Demand for biocides in other industrial markets, such as food and beverages, cosmetics and toiletries, and pulp and paper, will be supported by rising output from these industries and continued emphasis on reducing microbial populations that may pose a risk to consumer or environmental health.

Energy to be fastest growing major market

Biocide demand in the energy markets -- including oilfield, pipeline, and refinery and additive applications -- is expected to outpace every other major market for biocides through 2018. Growth will be supported by the increase in the use of hydraulic fracturing techniques, as tight oil and shale gas formations continue to play important roles in the US energy industry and as overall production has increased. The well stimulation fluids used in hydraulic fracturing typically require biocides to prevent corrosion and production issues that may be caused by bacterial contamination. Additionally, concerns about the negative environmental impacts of some types of biocides have contributed to greater interest in higher-value biocides that can be used in smaller dosages and are less environmentally harmful. The consumer and commercial markets for biocides are expected to show the slowest growth going forward. The pool and spa segment, which accounts for the majority of demand in this market, is projected to remain stagnant as the number of pools and spas in use is expected to grow slowly, and as pool and spa biocides face rising competition from chemical generation equipment and other types of water disinfection equipment. In municipal water treatment activities, demand for specialty biocides is in the US is forecast to remain limited as users in this market tend to be more price sensitive, and will continue to depend on commodity biocides and non-chemical treatment alternatives such as filtration and membrane treatment.