Frost: Energy Codes Drive Chinese Building Industry Demand for Thermal Insulation Materials
February 7, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS
| |
| Construction Industry Tools |
IHS sells a full selection of standards, ICC building codes and Plan Analyst software to check compliance.
To learn more, and for a free quote, please complete the form below. |
|
The Chinese thermal insulation materials market for the building industry is witnessing robust growth, according to Frost & Sullivan, thanks largely to the increasingly stringent government energy-saving codes.
Regulations constituted by the U.S. State Department in 2004 aim to save 50% energy in all new buildings, and 65% energy in new buildings in colder districts and the four municipalities, which are directly under the jurisdiction of the central government.
Recent analysis from Frost & Sullivan of the Chinese thermal insulation materials markets for the building industry found earned revenues of $3.18 billion in 2007, with estimates to reach $7.70 billion in 2014.
"Government energy-saving initiatives and related building policies are driving the usage of thermal insulation materials in buildings," said Frost & Sullivan research analyst Rodger Yang.
"China became the second largest oil consumer in 2007, further strengthening the government's resolve to regulate energy consumption."
Analysts said increasing disposable incomes and the government's emphasis on urbanization have together initiated a boom in the Chinese building construction market.
According to the Ministry of Construction of the People's Republic of China (MCPRC), new housing and commercial buildings area will increase up to 2.00 billion square meters in the coming years, which is proportional to half of the total number of new buildings worldwide. Simultaneously, new home buyers are becoming increasingly aware of saving energy in buildings.
Notwithstanding these drivers, increasing competition has had a significant impact on prices. Since 2002, analysts said the prices of thermal insulation materials for the building industry have reduced by 20% to 50%.
"This apart, increasing energy and raw material costs are also adversely impacting profit margins," said Yang. "For instance, while oil prices have nearly doubled between August 2003 and August 2007, there was a considerable drop in the prices of thermal insulation materials during the same period."
Given the increasing competition levels, it is imperative that market participants adopt a strong brand strategy, analysts said. A well-known brand will not only help negate low-end and virulent price competition, but also ensure wider market reach.
Source: Frost & Sullivan.