Global Demand for fluorine-containing chemicals to Reach 3.5Mt in 2016

Global demand for fluorine-containing chemicals is forecast to rise 3.9%/yr to 3.5Mt in 2016, valued at US$19.7bn according to the latest study from The Freedonia Group. Gains will be fuelled by increasing production of refrigeration and cooling equipment worldwide, as well as by acceleration in primary aluminum output. However, fluorochemical suppliers face a number of challenges. The first is obtaining access to key raw materials such as fluorspar, as exports from China – by far the world’s leading producer – have increasingly come under restrictions. Another challenge is dealing with the ever-shifting regulatory environment for fluorocarbons. Finally, competition with alternative products is intensifying in a number of sectors.
Fluoropolymers will see the most rapid gains in demand, driven by expanding opportunities for high-performance materials in the motor vehicle, chemical processing, electronics, and coatings markets. The Asia/Pacific region will continue to be the largest market for fluorochemicals, accounting for more than half of global consumption in 2016 and demand in that region will also grow at the fastest rate. China will continue to see particularly strong gains in fluorochemical demand, further increasing its position at the world’s largest national market.