Acoustic Insulation Market: Govt. Noise Control Regulations

An increase in the adoption and launching of acoustic insulation products has been witnessed in the past five years by the manufacturing companies due to the government's strict rules to control noise pollution in the industry. For instance, the United States Environmental Protection Agency established a noise control act of 1972 to effectively coordinate federal research and activities in noise control and set federal noise emission standards for the industrial sector. Moreover, in the US, the Occupational Noise Exposure Regulation mandates that industrial employers must limit their employees' noise exposure to 90 dB (A). Such regulations increase the use of acoustic insulation materials in the US.

The EPA has designed standards to control noise generation in transportation and sound isolation of building environments. Most of the countries in the European Union also regulate airborne, impact, and appliance noise levels. Regulations are also levied to ensure isolation from external sounds. Italian law no. 447 of 2/10/95 proposes suspension of the public as well as private entities responsible for sound pollution. The Portuguese regulations define and control the noise isolation from external sources inside a building. Sound generation from automobiles, planes, and ships is also regulated under various specified standards.

Also, policies & regulations about reducing carbon footprint and reduced usage of synthetic fibers that cause respiratory & skin problems will increase the product demand or support the industry growth. For instance, as per the European Council Directive on Dangerous Substances 67/548/ EEC, dangerous substances, including flammable substances, oxidizing agents, irritants, carcinogens, and mutagens, are prohibited from being included in the manufacture of sound absorption materials.

To offer innovative solutions, leading manufacturers are investing heavily in R&D, which will further reduce noise pollution and an eco-friendly environment. For instance, in October 2019, Restored Hearing Ltd., an Irish company, created a sound bounce material 35 times more effective than other sound-absorbing materials. The sound bounce material has a strong business potential in numerous sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and transportation that require better and efficient sound insulation products.

There are concerns about health problems related to glass wool insulation, as these materials contain carcinogens.  Aerogel can replace conventional insulation material, such as glass wool, in the building and construction segment. It is one-third of the size and weight of glass wool but 37 times more efficient in insulation. The insulating value of aerogel per inch is two to four times greater than glass wool or foam plastic. Compared to acoustic insulation materials, such as glass wool, rock wool, and foamed plastics, aerogel has high performance, durability and is easy to install and reinstall. This will provide opportunities for the market players in the global acoustic insulation market.

Government Initiatives 

The first and foremost step that the government is planning to take towards the acoustic insulation industry's comeback on track is to make the industry less dependent on imports. Most of the manufacturers have decided to reduce their dependence on China to supply polymers and polymer resins. 

Many companies are trying to shift their supplies from China to other countries such as Germany and France. This is one of the government's steps in discussion with the foam insulation manufacturing companies to de-risk the supply chain.

As the demand for foam has gone down tremendously, it has forced the manufacturers to cut production to almost 50% of the capacity. The production cut has led to less requirement of insulation materials and has impacted the whole industry. To cope with this, the government plans to provide some financial incentives to manufacturers, including tax cuts and exemptions to recover from the disruption. 

The government is also providing various financial benefits to small and medium-sized enterprises to maintain equilibrium in the acoustic insulation market.

However, several manufacturing companies were focusing on research & development, and hence several leading players have launched new acoustic insulation products after the lockdown was over. 

For instance, in October 2020, Hempitecture Inc. launched a new product, HempWoolb, at the United States' insulation for residential and commercial construction projects.

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