Growth of Biocides Used in Disinfectants and Sanitizers Exceeded Growth of Specialty Biocides in the United States in 2008
LITTLE FALLS, NJ, JUNE 15, 2009 – Average growth of specialty biocides used in disinfectants and sanitizers in household, industrial, and institutional cleaners was 2.9% in 2008, which exceeded growth of the overall biocide industry in the United States downplayed due to recession to 1%, according to the latest research Specialty Biocides 2008: A Global Series of Regional Market Analysesfrom worldwide consulting and research firm Kline & Company.
In 2008, the U.S. specialty biocide market was just under $2.0 billion; with market volumes approaching 600 million lbs. Water treatment is the leading application group in the United States, with halogenated biocides the leading category due to significant consumption within water treatment. The household, industrial, and institutional cleaning products industry consumed around $130 million of specialty biocides in 2008.
The green trend is affecting customers of specialty biocides within the household, industrial, and institutional cleaning products sector. The importance of this trend has been acknowledged not only by such specialty companies as Method Home Products and Seventh Generation, Inc., but by major mainstream companies in the industry, signified, for example, by Clorox’s launch of its new product line Green Works in January 2008, which are cleaners based on naturally derived ingredients.
Following the green cleaning trend, environmentally friendly biocides used in disinfectants and sanitizers are being preferred to other biocide formulations. Biocides which are highlighted as being environmentally friendly are those which break down quickly to non-polluting constituents with no potential to bioaccumulate.
“Although green cleaning products only comprise a small percentage of the total household, industrial, and institutional cleaning products market, sustainability and environmental responsibility is where the industry is focused,” says Anna Ibbotson, Industry Manager at Kline’s Chemicals and Materials practice. “As there is currently no uniform industry definition for green, it creates a huge challenge for chemical suppliers to develop and then position their products to address this market movement.”
Kline’s Specialty Biocides 2008: A Global Series of Regional Market Analyses presents an overview of market developments and regulatory issues in each regional market and provides estimated consumption of biocides by volume and value according to end-use application, as well as a five-year outlook.
About Kline
Kline is a worldwide consulting and research firm dedicated to providing the kind of insight and knowledge that helps companies find a clear path to success. The firm has served the management consulting and market research needs of organizations in the chemicals, materials, energy, life sciences, and consumer products industries for 50 years. For more information, visit www.klinegroup.com.
