Blowing Agents Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product Type (Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Hydrocarbons (HCs), Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO), Other Product Types), By Foam Type (Polyurethane Foam, Polystyrene Foam, Phenolic Foam, Polypropylene Foam, Polyethylene Foam, Other Foam Types), By Application (Building and Construction, Automotive, Bedding and Furniture, Appliances, Packaging, Other Applications), By Region and Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 4.67 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.31%
Fastest Growing Segment	Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 6.37 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Blowing Agents Market will grow from USD 4.67 Billion in 2025 to USD 6.37 Billion by 2031 at a 5.31% CAGR. Blowing agents are chemical additives utilized in the manufacturing of cellular plastics and foams to create a structural matrix through the release of gas. The market is fundamentally supported by stringent energy efficiency regulations mandating superior thermal insulation in the construction sector, alongside the automotive industry's requirement for lightweight materials to improve fuel economy. These drivers directly sustain the demand for polymeric foams and their requisite additives. According to the American Chemistry Council, in 2025, the accumulated production of major plastic resins in the United States reached 102.2 billion pounds for the 2024 fiscal year, representing a 5.7 percent increase compared to the previous period.

However, a significant challenge impeding market expansion is the global regulatory phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) due to their high global warming potential. This transition necessitates the adoption of alternatives such as hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) or natural agents, which often introduce technical difficulties regarding higher raw material costs or flammability risks. Manufacturers must navigate these complex compliance landscapes while striving to maintain cost-efficiency, potentially slowing growth in price-sensitive regions where low-emission solutions remain economically burdensome to implement.

Key Market Drivers

The increasing demand for energy-efficient building insulation acts as a primary catalyst for the blowing agents market, driven by global efforts to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. As governments enforce stricter building codes and energy performance standards, the construction sector is compelled to adopt high-performance thermal insulation materials, such as polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams. These cellular plastics rely heavily on blowing agents to achieve the low thermal conductivity and structural integrity required for modern infrastructure. This surge in volume demand is reflected in the performance of major raw material suppliers. According to Covestro, February 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2024', the sales volume in its Performance Materials segment, which supplies essential components for rigid foam insulation, increased by 11.9 percent in the 2024 fiscal year compared to the previous period.

Simultaneously, the expansion of cold chain logistics and refrigeration industries is significantly propelling market growth. The rising global trade of perishable food products and pharmaceuticals necessitates extensive temperature-controlled supply chains, increasing the requirement for rigid foam insulation in refrigerated warehouses and transport containers. This infrastructure development creates a sustained revenue stream for blowing agent manufacturers who provide the critical additives for these thermal barriers. According to the Global Cold Chain Alliance, April 2025, in the '2025 Global Top 25 List', members collectively own or operate 8.16 billion cubic feet of temperature-controlled capacity, representing a more than 10 percent increase since 2024. This sectoral expansion aligns with broader industrial trends; according to Plastics Europe, October 2025, in the 'Plastics - the fast Facts 2025' report, global plastics production increased by 4.1 percent in 2024, underscoring the robust manufacturing environment supporting these additive applications.

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Key Market Challenges

The regulatory phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons serves as a primary constraint on the global blowing agents market, creating significant economic and operational barriers. This mandatory transition forces manufacturers to replace established chemicals with hydrofluoroolefins or natural agents to adhere to environmental compliance standards. While these alternatives offer lower global warming potential, they frequently involve substantially higher raw material costs and introduce technical risks, such as increased flammability. Consequently, producers must incur elevated capital expenditures to modify existing manufacturing infrastructure for safe handling and processing, which directly reduces profit margins and creates friction in supply chain operations.

These financial and technical burdens dampen market adoption rates, particularly in cost-sensitive regions where downstream industries cannot easily absorb price increases. The impact of such economic pressures on the broader materials sector is evident in recent industrial performance data. According to Plastics Europe, in 2024, the total production of plastics in Europe declined by 8.3 percent during the previous year, driven largely by high input costs and regulatory complexities. This contraction in the parent industry illustrates how regulatory shifts and the associated rise in operational costs can stifle industrial output, subsequently limiting the volume of blowing agents required for foam insulation and manufacturing.

Key Market Trends

The Global Blowing Agents Market is experiencing a decisive structural shift marked by the accelerated transition to Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) technologies, primarily within the spray foam and refrigeration sectors. As international mandates severely restrict the availability of high-global warming potential (GWP) legacy chemicals, manufacturers are rapidly scaling the commercialization of fourth-generation fluorinated solutions that offer compliant environmental profiles without compromising thermal performance. This aggressive substitution trajectory is evidenced by the robust financial performance of key innovators in the fluorochemical space who are successfully capitalizing on the regulatory turnover. According to The Chemours Company, February 2025, in the 'Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results' report, the Thermal & Specialized Solutions segment achieved a 14 percent year-over-year sales growth for its Opteon™ portfolio in 2024, directly reflecting the surging industrial adoption of these low-GWP blowing agent technologies.

Simultaneously, there is a rising utilization of hydrocarbon and natural blowing agents, particularly in the rigid boardstock and expanded polystyrene (EPS) segments, driven by their superior cost-efficiency relative to fluorinated alternatives. Despite inherent flammability risks, the mature engineering controls in modern manufacturing have enabled a broader acceptance of agents like pentane, encouraging market leaders to consolidate their positions in these non-fluorinated chemistries to serve price-sensitive construction markets. This trend toward cementing hydrocarbon-based portfolios is visible in recent high-profile strategic acquisitions intended to secure capacity in established insulation categories. According to Carlisle Companies Incorporated, February 2025, in the 'Fourth Quarter 2024 Results' press release, the company strategically expanded its building envelope capabilities by completing the acquisition of Plasti-Fab, a leading manufacturer of EPS insulation, thereby reinforcing the continued industrial reliance on hydrocarbon-blown foam technologies.

Segmental Insights

Based on recent market intelligence, the Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) segment is identified as the fastest-growing category within the Global Blowing Agents Market. This surge is primarily driven by the widespread transition away from Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in emerging economies, where manufacturers require immediate, cost-effective replacements that offer high thermal efficiency and non-flammability. While the Montreal Protocol mandates a long-term phase-down, the current industrial demand in the construction and automotive sectors supports the rapid adoption of HFCs as a superior insulating solution compared to legacy options. Consequently, HFCs remain the preferred choice for meeting rigorous energy-efficiency standards in developing regions.

Regional Insights

North America stands as the leading region in the global blowing agents market due to stringent environmental regulations and established industrial demand. The United States Environmental Protection Agency enforces mandates that phase out high-global warming potential substances, compelling manufacturers to adopt sustainable alternatives. This regulatory pressure is complemented by a robust construction sector that prioritizes energy-efficient insulation for residential and commercial infrastructure. Additionally, consistent manufacturing output from the automotive and appliance industries supports steady consumption, collectively securing North America’s dominant position in the global landscape.

Recent Developments

• In August 2025, Arkema officially opened a new production unit for its Forane 1233zd blowing agent at its facility in Calvert City, Kentucky. This expansion represented a significant investment of $60 million to onshore the production of the low-global-warming-potential hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) additive. The new unit was commissioned to serve the North American market, particularly in high-performance insulation foam, appliance manufacturing, and cold chain applications. This strategic move allowed the company to domesticate its supply chain, ensuring a reliable source of sustainable blowing agents to meet evolving environmental regulations and customer demand.
• In July 2025, Covestro launched a next-generation flame-retardant encapsulation polyurethane foam specifically designed for electric vehicle batteries. This new product was developed to enhance the safety and thermal management of battery packs by mitigating the risk of thermal propagation. The innovative foam solution addressed critical safety requirements in the rapidly growing electric mobility market, complying with stringent industry standards. By introducing this advanced material, the company aimed to support the automotive sector's shift toward electrification, providing manufacturers with a reliable and high-performance component for battery protection and efficiency.
• In August 2024, Honeywell announced a collaboration with Mighty Buildings, a construction technology company, to incorporate Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent (LBA) into 3D-printed home manufacturing. This partnership involved replacing traditional foam insulation with Honeywell’s low-global-warming-potential technology to produce energy-efficient and robust building panels. The initiative was designed to reduce the carbon footprint of construction processes while enhancing the thermal performance of the prefabricated homes. By leveraging Solstice LBA, the companies aimed to deliver climate-resistant housing solutions that align with sustainability goals and support the broader energy transition in the building sector.
• In April 2024, Solvay inaugurated a new production unit for its Alve-One chemical blowing agent in Rosignano, Italy. This facility marked a significant European expansion for the company's eco-designed foaming solutions, which are intended to replace hazardous alternatives in the thermoplastic foaming industry. The new unit was established to address the increasing global demand for sustainable blowing agents across various applications, including automotive, footwear, and building and construction. By ramping up the production of this non-hazardous, low-carbon footprint agent, Solvay aimed to support the industry's transition toward safer and more environmentally friendly materials.

Key Market Players

• A-Gas Us Inc
• Sinochem Holdings Corporation Ltd.
• Arkema Group
• HCS Group GmbH
• Harp International Ltd
• Honeywell International, Inc.
• Lanxess AG
• Solvay SA
• Nouryon Chemicals Holding B.V.
• Huntsman International LLC

By Product Type	By Foam Type	By Application	By Region
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) Hydrocarbons (HCs) Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) Other Product Types	Polyurethane Foam Polystyrene Foam Phenolic Foam Polypropylene Foam Polyethylene Foam Other Foam Types	Building and Construction Automotive Bedding and Furniture Appliances Packaging Other Applications	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Blowing Agents Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Blowing Agents Market, By Product Type:

• Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
• Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
• Hydrocarbons (HCs)
• Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO)
• Other Product Types

• Blowing Agents Market, By Foam Type:

• Polyurethane Foam
• Polystyrene Foam
• Phenolic Foam
• Polypropylene Foam
• Polyethylene Foam
• Other Foam Types

• Blowing Agents Market, By Application:

• Building and Construction
• Automotive
• Bedding and Furniture
• Appliances
• Packaging
• Other Applications

• Blowing Agents Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE