Europe Air Duct Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Galvanized Steel, Aluminum (AI), Flexible Duct, Fabric Duct, and Others), By Shape (Round, Half-round, Square/Rectangular, Triangular, and Others), By Application (Public Facilities, Commercial Facilities, Industrial Facilities, and Others), and Country Forecast, 2021-2028

The Europe air duct market size was USD 2.08 billion in 2020. The market is projected to grow from USD 2.17 billion in 2021 to USD 2.95 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 4.5% during the 2021-2028 period. The global impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and staggering, with air duct witnessing a positive impact on demand across all regions amid the pandemic. Based on our analysis, the global market exhibited a lower growth of 3.7% in 2020 as compared to the average year-on-year growth during 2017-2019. The rise in CAGR is attributable to this market’s demand and growth, returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

Air ducts distribute airflow across public, industrial, and commercial facilities. These ducts are the pipelines utilized to efficiently transport the heated or cool air and minimize suffocation across the room spaces.

In the current time period, the increased importance of indoor air quality and direct ductwork with sealed joints is gaining importance, thereby propelling the air ducts market across Europe. Modified sealed joints allow facility owners in minimizing the air leakage, resulting in an augmented installation across countries that experience extreme cold and hot weather conditions throughout the year.

In addition, smart HVAC technologies are brightening the market outlook. Sensor-connection, demand-controlled ventilation, and other technologies are allowing operators to measure the inclusive performance of HVAC systems by monitoring the breakdowns, collecting real-time analytics, and addressing the inefficient areas. As a result, the demand for ducting is predictable to fuel the rising adoption of smart HVAC technologies across industrial, residential, commercial, and other facilities.

COVID-19 Impact: Modern Technological Approach Coupled with Increased Installation to Boost Market Growth

The market witnessed a moderate downfall in 2020 due to closed manufacturing facilities in the 1st and 2nd quarters. It is, however, projected to experience growth in the forthcoming years with increased awareness of airtight ducts, indoor air quality, and customized demand from the customers. It is increasing the operational efficiency and elevating the performance standard of ducts.

The limited short-term impact is attributed to the adoption of HVAC systems for the good quality of air in commercial, residential, and other facilities such as healthcare buildings, residential apartments, grocery stores, and others. Additionally, renowned organizations such as the Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations (REHVA), and others are proactively publishing the guidelines regarding the installation of HVAC systems that are propelling the Europe air duct market growth.

Moreover, manufacturers are emphasizing on the development of technologically advanced products to provide extended serving life and premium precision & accuracy to the customers. Furthermore, on-track manufacturing facilities aid the strong long-term growth across the U.K., Germany, and other European countries.

LATEST TRENDS

Adoption of Smart HVAC Solutions for Efficient Ventilation to Strengthen Market Prospects

The adoption of smart HVAC solutions such as sensor-connection, IoT-enabled products, demand-controlled ventilation, and other technologies is strengthening the sustainability efforts and balancing the environmental conditions. These technological advancements enable energy-efficient ventilation across the applications and thus, improve the indoor air quality and increase the ductwork across facilities.

Additionally, the Europe smart connected HVAC systems market is rapidly growing as it is enabling to diagnose the faults and delivering the potential correct replacement parts. In accordance, major manufacturers provide industry-leading air distribution systems to their end-users, thus complimenting the smart adoption and expanding market presence. In April 2021, FabricAir and Böttcher AG signed an agreement to install a state-of-art FabricAir duct textile air distribution system of ~2.6 kilometers in a 4-floor Böttcher AG building complex near Jena (a city in Germany).

Therefore, acceptance of smart HVAC technologies across European countries is a vital trend in the Europe air duct industry outlook.

DRIVING FACTORS

Utilization of Direct Ducts with Sealed Joints to Propel Market Growth

Nowadays, minimal heat loss has utmost importance. To achieve the same, the ductwork has to be as direct as possible with confined sealing joints and connections, thereby resulting in increased energy efficiency. The insulated sealed joints and smaller duct sizes have improved the efficiency of the systems and reduced the convenience cost. Hence, these are expected to augment installation across small/medium commercial and residential spaces.

Additionally, a sealed duct system minimizes the leakage and energy loss concerns and allows to operate in a closed design thus, delivering optimal comfort and withstanding the HVAC system’s durability. Moreover, governmental organizations highlighted the fact that in Europe, more airtight duct systems would result in ~10 TWh of annual energy saving, which is comparable to the annual production of three nuclear power plants.

These factors bolster the growth of the market in Europe.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Hefty Maintenance Cost Coupled with Rising Installation of Ductless Systems to Impede Market Growth

The product installation in a specific area demands an additional substantial air duct length depending on the design and installation. As a result, it incurred indirect costs thus, impacting the market growth. The resulted indirect cost affects the average selling price of the complete HVAC system. This factor further leads to high price of the product. In addition, improper location of such ducting can reduce the serviceability thus, degrading the quality of the air flowing through the system.

Additionally, the rising importance of ductless systems is expected to hamper the Europe market growth. A ductless system makes it less expensive and easier to install and is specifically beneficial in areas where it is not possible to fix ductwork. As a result, it minimizes the air duct systems’ installation across facilities.

SEGMENTATION

By Type Analysis

Prolonged Utilization Characteristic to Drive Galvanized Steel Duct Segment

Based on type, the market is split into galvanized steel, aluminum (AI), fabric, flexible ducts, and others, including PVC & others.

Galvanized steel duct is expected to witness a strong growth rate (CAGR) as it holds the best of sturdiness and strength that results in less maintenance. Facility owners utilize these ducts for a longer period of time in industrial, commercial and residential applications.

On the other hand, aluminum and fabric ducts are growing steadily due to their moisture resistance and reduced static pressure requirements. Flexible ducts are highly suitable for free air passage through the duct system.

The others segment is witnessing steady demand as PVC & other ducts are gaining popularity across domestic applications.

By Shape Analysis

Suitable Design for Air Passage to Boost Square/Rectangular Segment Growth

In case of shape, the europe air duct market share is broken down into round, square/rectangular, half-round, triangular, and others, including customized & others.

The square/rectangular segment is in the best position to capture the highest CAGR owing to its design that can be fitted into any building construction. In addition, it fixes the fan coil and main duct and consents to proper connection.

Round and half-round ducts are anticipated to witness substantial growth. It allows efficient air transmission and utilizes less material when compared with other ducts. Whereas, the triangular and others segment observes steady growth in the forecast period.

By Application Analysis

Surge in Commercial Construction to Strengthen Market Outlook

In terms of application, the industry share is split into industrial, residential, and commercial.

The commercial segment is predicted to record the highest CAGR over 2021-2028. The growth is expected to be driven by the rise in the development of commercial infrastructure including hospital facilities, schools, telecom centers, labs, and other spaces.

Meanwhile, the residential segment will record notable growth due to rising disposable incomes and demand for housing services. The industrial segment will experience steady growth in the forthcoming years.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

The market is witnessing strong growth during the forecast period attributed to augmented prominence to ductwork in Sweden, Germany, Poland, France, Ireland, and others. Additionally, growing housing construction has increased the product demand in this region. Moreover, the European Union (EU) supports the initiative of the governmental and private companies to provide sustainable ventilation, cooling and heating solutions in public, commercial, and industrial applications.

Germany is leading the market by exhibiting the highest CAGR. It is specifically attributed to the rapid adoption of technologies coupled with governmental bodies’ support & infrastructural development. Additionally, the rising number of industries and rising construction activities are propelling the country's market growth.

Other countries including Italy, the U.K., Russia, France, and the rest of Europe are anticipated to grow substantially due to the fresh indoor air quality concern. Thermal conductivity is extremely important in Europe due to extreme hot/cold conditions in several countries. In this case, ductwork is the perfect solution as it properly maintains the indoor air quality and temperature.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Major Players Highlight Research & Development (R&D) Practices to Strengthen their Long-Standing Relations

Key players are aggressively investing in R&D activities for enhanced production across facilities. With this, the companies can cater to various demands, thereby achieving enhanced sustainability in the market. For instance, Kingspan Group invested nearly USD 37.7 million in R&D activities in the financial year 2020. In addition, market players are retaining their long-standing relations with suppliers and end-users by embracing purchase strategy to lessen the procurement costs.

Lindab is Expanding its Regional Presence by Acquiring Country-based Companies

Lindab focuses on increasing country-level coverage and high profitability by strengthening the air duct business across European countries. Thus, the company is keenly merging and acquiring small market players with considerable market presence in a particular country market. For instance, in December 2020, Lindab acquired Aer Faber AS to strengthen its presence and expand its current operations of selling and production of rectangular ventilation ducts across Norway.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Lindab (Båstad, Sweden)


• Air Spiralo Group (Schagen, Netherlands)


• FabricAir (Køge, Denmark)


• Kingspan Group (Cavan, Ireland)


• Domus (Genuit Group) (Caerphilly, U.K.)


• ISOVER (SAINT-GOBAIN) (Courbevoie, France)


• Aldes Group (Lyon, France)


• Airflow Developments Limited (High Wycombe, U.K.)


• Verplas Limited (Indutrade) (Dorset, U.K.)


• ROKAFLEX (Braak, Germany)


• HAS-Vent Ltd. (Wombourne, England)


• Nordfab (Mariager, Denmark)


• Aermec (U.K.) (Basildon, England)


• Rega Ventilation (Biggleswade, England)


• Maschinen- und Apparatebau Hagen GmbH (Breckerfeld, Germany)


• BerlinerLuft. International (Berling, Germany)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• June 2021 - Kingspan Group completely acquired LOGSTOR A/S, one of the leading energy-efficient distribution systems and pre-insulated pipes for sustainable manufacturing in Europe. The acquisition supports the company’s aim to grow at scale and focus on manufacturing more efficient piping and ducting solutions.


• May 2021 – FabricAir designed and installed a state-of-art air distribution system in the workshop hall for Ling AG, an Austria-based mountain railway, trams, and bus operator. The complete air distribution system equaled a fabric duct of 650 meters. The company worked with Sema Klima- und Lufttechnik GmbH to design above mentioned advanced air distribution system.

REPORT COVERAGE

The market research report provides an elaborative analysis of the Europe air duct market dynamics and competitive landscape. Various key insights presented in the report are market share analysis, recent developments in the air duct market, including mergers & acquisitions, regulatory scenarios across key countries, macro and microeconomic factors, SWOT analysis, competitive landscape and company profiles.

Report Scope & Segmentation