Air filter sales to reach $6.5 billion in 2008
Sales of air filters will grow by $2 billion over the next four years reaching $6.5 billion in 2008. This includes the complete range from the lowly furnace filter to the highly efficient (HEPA) filters used in cleanrooms. The U.S. will continue to be the largest purchaser, but the gap is narrowing with the rest-of-the-world. This is the conclusion reached by McIlvaine in the online report, Air Filtration and Purification: World Market.
The most inefficient filters will experience low growth. This is due primarily to the substitution of medium efficiency filters for residential and other applications which have traditionally used the lowest efficiency filters. Growth will be substantial for both medium and high efficiency filters. A recent store survey by McIlvaine shows residential medium efficiency filter sales outpacing those of low efficiency. The market for gas phase filters which adsorb odors and volatile organic compounds will grow faster than other segments and reach the $800 million sales level worldwide by 2008.
In the U.S, the non-residential building market will grow. Unlike the residential market, it has been slow recently. Commercial buildings elsewhere in the world are improving filtration capabilities. Korea is instituting indoor air quality rules for public buildings and apartment houses.
The market for protection against terrorism is growing. The U.S. EPA’s National Homeland Security Research Center recently completed performance verifications of ten indoor air filters designed to protect occupants of large buildings from biological attack from terrorists. The filters are designed to remove bacterial or viral warfare agents from outside air entering the building and also recirculated indoor air.
The market is not confined to the U.S. For example, the Military Hospital of Athens is installing extensive filtration systems to be operational in time for the 2004 Olympic Games. The system will be a key part of a special “Bio-Protection Ward” at the hospital as a security measure for protection against biological agents.
The U.S. market for pre-filtration of air for gas turbines will mostly be replacement as few new gas turbines will be sold in the next few years. However, elsewhere in the world, new gas turbine sales are slated to grow. This will compensate for the slower U.S. market. Donaldson is the largest supplier in this segment. Its gas turbine sales are currently running at $120 million/yr. down 14 percent from last year.
The electronics industry including semiconductor and flat panel display manufacturers will be increasing their filter purchases by over 10 percent per year over the next four years. Most of this growth will come from the Asian region.
The market remains fragmented. 3M is a major factor in medium efficiency residential filters but is not a participant in the larger market. Camfil is the largest filter supplier, but does not have a large market share. Most of the sales are generated by medium and small companies. However, there is a significant globalization trend. Suppliers of media and filters are building facilities in China to serve the Asian markets.
For more information on Air Filtration and Purification:World Markets click on: http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/air.html#N022 .
Bob McIlvaine
847-784-0012