Global Air Barrier Market Size and Share Outlook - Forecast Trends and Growth Analysis Report (2025-2034)

Air barriers are crucial in infrastructure construction, improving energy efficiency by reducing air leakage and protecting buildings from moisture-related damage.

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The global air barrier market is driven by the increase in the demand for the product from infrastructure and construction industries. 

The rise in demand for energy-efficient and green buildings are supporting the growth of the market. The product contributes towards green certification for buildings by reducing the property owner's heating and cooling costs, while enhancing comfort. According to 2023 data, around 40% of the energy consumption in buildings is attributed to heating, cooling, and lighting. 

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If you choose to purchase the full report at a later stage, the amount already paid will be adjusted, and you will only need to pay the remaining balance.

Purchase the Regional Overview for USD 1099

If you choose to purchase the full report at a later stage, the amount already paid will be adjusted, and you will only need to pay the remaining balance.

Purchase the Regional Overview for USD 1099

If you choose to purchase the full report at a later stage, the amount already paid will be adjusted, and you will only need to pay the remaining balance.

In the United Kingdom, government investment in infrastructure surged by 9.6% in 2022 compared to the previous year. In 2023, new infrastructure projects saw an additional increase of USD 2.89 billion, reflecting robust growth in the sector. FEMA's increased infrastructure spending on rebuilding public utilities and buildings after natural disasters is expected to drive the demand for air barrier systems to enhance energy efficiency, moisture control, and structural integrity in newly constructed or renovated structures. Global construction spending is projected to escalate from USD 13 trillion in 2023 to USD 22 trillion in 2040, growing at a CAGR of 3.2%.

Figure: Share of Construction (%) in GDP in the EU; 2018-2024

Air barrier systems play a crucial role in improving a building’s energy efficiency by reducing air leakage and enhancing thermal performance, which can contribute towards achieving LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.

According to 2024 data, the National Institute of Standards and Technology reports that air leakage can be responsible for as much as 40% of heating expenses and 15% of cooling costs in commercial properties. From January 2017 to December 2021, more than 36,835 projects earned LEED certification, spanning 4.63 billion square feet. In the first three quarters of 2022 alone, over 5,000 additional projects were certified, marking a recovery from a dip in certifications in 2019, followed by consistent annual growth.

Figure: Global LEED Project Registrations by Region; (2017-2021)

Key Trends and Developments

Global Air Barrier Market Trends

Air barriers are crucial for buildings to meet stringent energy codes, as they reduce the workload on heating and cooling systems, thereby lowering energy consumption. Modern standards like ASHRAE 90.1 and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) set performance criteria for thermal envelopes, including air barriers. Data from 2024 shows that effective air barrier systems can reduce energy use by 10% to 40%, with even greater savings in regions with extreme weather, where energy demands for climate control are high.

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Global Air Barrier Industry Segmentation

Global Air Barrier Market Share

Based on end use, the residential sector accounts for a significant share of the market

Airtightness has a substantial effect on a building's energy consumption. Typically, buildings equipped with effective air barrier systems can achieve energy savings of 10% to 40%.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates for 2023, buildings represent around 30% of global final energy consumption and contribute to 26% of global energy-related emissions.

Meanwhile, in the USA, a key market of air barriers, early adopter design professionals and states like Vermont, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York, and Illinois, have rapidly embraced air barriers in commercial construction. This technology is valued for its role in improving building sustainability and efficiency.  According to 2022 data, the average rent of office buildings with LEED certification in the USA is 31% higher than that of non-LEED-certified buildings. 

Based on membrane type, fluid applied is a major contributor to the global air barrier market revenue

Fluid-applied membranes require fewer applicators, which reduces labor costs. These membranes are easier to install around penetrations, such as electrical conduits or brick ties and uneven substrates. Prominent manufacturers of fluid-applied membranes include W. R. MEADOWS, Carlisle Companies Incorporated, and Prosoco, Inc. 

Meanwhile, sheet-applied air barrier systems do not shrink, sag, dry out, crack, or rot, and offer impressive resistance to punctures during installation. This makes them ideal for earthquake zones, shifting soils and areas where high groundwater pressure is common.

Prominent manufacturers of sheet-applied membranes include Henry Company, W. R. MEADOWS, and GCP Applied Technologies. 

Global Air Barrier Market Players

Other notable players operating in the global air barrier market are Soprema S.A.S, 3M Company, and Sika AG, among others.

Global Air Barrier Market Analysis by Region

In 2023, in Europe, non-residential construction activity accounted for the largest share of 31.8%. Renovation and maintenance followed closely, comprising 30.3% of activities. Housebuilding contributed 19.9%, while civil engineering made up 17.9% of the total construction activities during the year. In Germany, advancing urbanisation is putting pressure on metropolitan regions with around 4.4 million new homes required to be built by 2030 to meet the demand, thus increasing the installation of air barriers. 

Further, the Asia Pacific air barrier market is set for growth alongside China's construction industry, which saw year-over-year increase of 5.8% in 2023. The market expansion of air barrier systems in the region is driven by the robust construction sector and the focus on energy-efficient building solutions.