Firefighting Foam Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The firefighting foam market is valued at USD 0.87 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach USD 1.12 billion by 2030, registering a 5.05% CAGR over the period. Momentum comes from the planned phase-out of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), expanding liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure, and stricter industrial safety codes that elevate demand for fluorine-free foams and delivery technologies. Ongoing regulatory deadlines in the United States and the European Union, combined with rising legal liabilities for PFAS contamination, are spurring users to accelerate product substitutions. Leading suppliers have responded by divesting legacy fluorinated portfolios, investing in research for synthetic surfactants, and partnering with systems integrators to fine-tune delivery equipment. Meanwhile, regional growth profiles diverge: North America remains the revenue leader on the back of military procurement and refinery upgrades, whereas Asia-Pacific records the fastest expansion due to LNG bunkering hubs and new petrochemical complexes. Heightened competition stems from the entrance of agile formulators that specialize in biodegradable concentrates, thereby pressing incumbents to innovate, cut costs, and secure approvals for next-generation blends.
Key Report Takeaways
- By foam type, Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) led with 41.28% revenue share in 2024, while Other Foam Types, largely fluorine-free synthetics, are projected to expand at a 6.21% CAGR through 2030.
- By fluorine content, PFAS-containing formulations still held 54.64% of the firefighting foam market share in 2024, yet fluorine-free alternatives are forecast to rise at a 6.54% CAGR to 2030.
- By end-user industry, Oil & Gas commanded 46.93% share of the firefighting foam market size in 2024; the Mining segment is poised for 6.34% CAGR growth between 2025-2030.
- By geography, North America accounted for 38.16% revenue share in 2024, whereas Asia-Pacific is predicted to register the highest 5.95% CAGR through 2030.
Global Firefighting Foam Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
---|---|---|---|
Transition Toward Fluorine-Free Foams in High-Hazard Facilities | +1.20% | Global, led by EU & North America | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Strict Government Regulations to Maintain Industrial Safety | +0.80% | Global, concentrated in developed markets | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
Rising Fire Risk in Expanding LNG Bunkering Hubs | +0.60% | Core Asia-Pacific, spill-over to MEA | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Mandatory Fixed-Foam Systems in Mega-Warehouses | +0.50% | North America & EU, expanding to APAC | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
Increased Military and Aviation Fire Protection Needs | +0.40% | North America, Europe, select APAC | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
Source: Mordor Intelligence
Transition Toward Fluorine-Free Foams in High-Hazard Facilities
Global regulators continue to restrict PFAS, compelling operators of refineries, military bases, and chemical plants to adopt fluorine-free concentrates without jeopardizing response times. The U.S. Department of Defense plans to eliminate AFFF use by October 2024, granting limited waivers until 2026. Although validation trials show fluorine-free foams need 40% longer to put out pool-fire tests, compressed-air delivery can narrow that gap, implying that hardware upgrades can offset chemistry limitations. Companies with agile R&D pipelines, such as Cross Plains Solutions with its soy-based SoyFoam TF-1122, are tapping demand for biodegradable products approved under stringent military protocols. As procurement teams weigh total lifecycle costs, material safety data sheets and disposal liabilities now rank alongside extinguishing performance, favoring brands able to document environmental persistence and toxicology footprints.
Strict Government Regulations to Maintain Industrial Safety
Industrial safety rules create a baseline demand for foams even as chemistries evolve. U.S. mining operators must deploy portable foam-generating machines that deliver 30 gallons per minute at 30 psi for at least 35 minutes, locking in volume requirements that drive repeat purchases. China enacted a nationwide ban on perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) imports and exports in January 2024, signaling converging global policy. Similarly, the National Fire Protection Association updated NFPA 11 in 2024 to align tank-farm protection curves and proportioning rates across foam types[1]National Fire Protection Association, “NFPA 11: Standard for Foam,” nfpa.org . Harmonized standards accelerate retrofits because asset owners synchronize replacement schedules with code revisions, creating predictable project funnels for suppliers.
Rising Fire Risk in Expanding LNG Bunkering Hubs
Surging marine LNG trade raises the probability of pool fires at bunkering terminals that store cryogenic fuels. High-expansion foam blankets can cut radiant heat transfer to LNG pool fires by 70%, provided application heights exceed 1.2 m. Asia-Pacific ports lead in LNG fueling stations, fitting the region’s 5.95% CAGR path. Engineers therefore favor class-approved, fluorine-free synthetics tailored for cryogenic spill mitigation. Procurement teams in Korea and Singapore now stipulate generator placements, dike slopes, and monitor flow rates within terminal-design checklists, embedding steady demand for premium concentrates.
Increased Military and Aviation Fire Protection Needs
Military airfields and aircraft-maintenance depots represent mission-critical environments where rapid knock-down remains paramount. NATO performance standards still require agents to extinguish a 28 m² pool fire within 60 seconds, pushing R&D toward optimized surfactant blends compatible with fluorine-free mandates. Aviation stakeholders similarly face upcoming International Civil Aviation Organization updates that may curtail PFAS use on runways, increasing demand for qualified alternatives that resist freeze-thaw cycles and jet-fuel contamination.
Restraints Impact Analysis
Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
---|---|---|---|
Environmental and Health Concerns Over Certain Types | −0.9% | Global, acute in developed markets | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
High Disposal and Cleanup Costs | −0.7% | North America & EU | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Performance Gap in Fluorine-Free Alternatives | −0.5% | Global, critical in high-risk sites | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Source: Mordor Intelligence
Environmental and Health Concerns Over Certain Types
Mounting evidence links PFAS exposure to elevated cancer and thyroid disease risks, triggering 7,633 active AFFF lawsuits by early 2025. Firefighters in Connecticut sued DuPont, 3M, and Honeywell for alleged PFAS contamination in turnout gear, broadening legal exposure beyond foam suppliers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now enforces 4.0 parts per trillion limits for PFOS and PFOA in drinking water, prompting utilities to reject inflow from facilities still using AFFF, indirectly pressuring foam users to accelerate changeouts.
High Disposal and Cleanup Costs
Disposal expenses reshape procurement decisions. The U.S. Department of Defense has spent USD 2.6 billion on PFAS activities since 2017 and forecasts USD 9.3 billion in future cleanup, triple its 2022 estimate[2]U.S. Government Accountability Office, “PFAS Cleanup Costs Continue to Rise,” gao.gov . Washington State’s collection program offers free AFFF take-back to municipal fire departments but still incurs transport and incineration charges, illustrating the real cash drain even when subsidies exist. Budget-constrained municipalities thus favor fluorine-free products that reduce future liabilities.
Segment Analysis
By Foam Type: AFFF Dominance Faces Regulatory Headwinds
Aqueous Film-Forming Foam retained 41.28% of 2024 revenue, yet its outlook dims as regional bans tighten and as fluorine-free options post a 6.21% CAGR. The firefighting foam market size for AFFF applications is expected to decline in absolute terms after 2027, whereas fluorine-free synthetics will fill the vacuum, aided by improved wetting agents and carbohydrate-based surfactants. Provincial fire codes in Canada already discourage new AFFF system installations. Procurement teams, therefore, prioritize backward-compatible concentrates that can be dropped into existing proportioners without changing nozzle configurations. That requirement favors blends that mimic AFFF viscosity and expansion ratios while eliminating PFAS.
Alcohol-Resistant AFFF (AR-AFFF) remains necessary for polar-solvent fires in chemical warehouses. However, its growth plateaus because alternative alcohol-resistant synthetics approach comparable performance. Protein and fluoroprotein foams maintain niche adoption for depot-tank fire protection due to high heat resistance but suffer from shorter shelf lives and higher viscosity. Meanwhile, detergent-based synthetics score quick wins among municipal departments that seek cost-effective substitutes requiring no special handling, especially for training evolutions.
Note: Segment Share of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Fluorine Content: Regulatory Transition Accelerates Market Shift
PFAS-containing foams commanded 54.64% market share in 2024, reflecting legacy stockpiles and embedded system designs. Yet their dominance erodes annually as inventories are decommissioned. California’s Senate Bill 1044 established staggered PFAS phase-outs beginning January 2024 for non-Part 139 facilities and extending to 2028 for storage terminals, forcing operators to budget for replacement concentrates and tank cleaning. Europe’s PFOA ban, effective July 2025, follows the same trajectory, assuring volume swings toward fluorine-free substitutes.
Innovation clusters around “drop-in” fluorine-free concentrates designed to operate at 1% for sub-surface injection or 3% for top-pour methods, thereby minimizing recalibration. Military purchasers demand agents that pass the MIL-SPEC MIL-PRF-32725F test series; Solberg’s 3% MIL-SPEC Synthetic Fluorine-Free Foam and Bio-Ex’s ECOPOL A3+ MILSPEC exemplify this push, capturing early-mover advantage by pairing environmental attributes with performance guarantees.
By End-User Industry: Oil & Gas Leadership Amid Mining Acceleration
Oil & Gas remains the anchor customer group, holding 46.93% of 2024 revenue due to extensive tank farms, loading racks, and offshore rigs. Large-diameter monitors and foam chambers dominate these settings, and proportioner audits often reveal a migration path toward fluorine-free stocks over the next compliance cycle. The firefighting foam market share for Oil & Gas may decline several points, but its absolute spend stays high because elevated throughput volumes dictate rigorous fire-protection redundancy.
The Mining segment grows fastest at 6.34% CAGR, buoyed by mechanized underground operations where diesel machines raise both ignition sources and toxic-fume concerns. U.S. mining regulations specify dual-agent systems combining dry-chemical and foam streams, creating new orders for low-viscosity synthetics that can flow through narrow bore nozzles without residue. Similar patterns appear in Australia and Chile, propelling specialized OEM partnerships.
Chemical & Petrochemical operators favor alcohol-resistant agents to combat polar-solvent fires, whereas Transportation uses expand with LNG fueling stations and aviation hangars. Warehousing & Logistics sees stable volume tied to pallet-storage hazard mitigation; system designers increasingly configure dual wet-pipe sprinklers and high-expansion foam generators to protect automated retrieval systems.

Note: Segment Share of all individual segments available upon report purchase
Geography Analysis
North America holds the largest regional position, accounting for 38.16% of 2024 sales thanks to stringent PFAS legislation, military procurement budgets, and refinery modernization programs. The firefighting foam market size in North America benefits from federal transition grants, such as the USD 2.1 billion allocation to replace legacy AFFF systems at Department of Defense sites. Canadian policy aligns closely with U.S. rules, creating a seamless North American compliance environment that encourages early adoption of fluorine-free alternatives.
Asia-Pacific posts the strongest outlook, advancing at a 5.95% CAGR to 2030. China’s January 2024 PFOS import and export ban has accelerated domestic R&D in synthetic surfactants, leading to local formulations certified under GB 20031 standards. Japanese regulators emphasize after-sales maintenance in foam-system approvals; suppliers that bundle concentrate sales with inspection services gain leverage in warehouse and semiconductor fabrication plant contracts. South Korea and Singapore invest in LNG bunkering, channeling budgets toward high-expansion foam systems engineered for cryogenic hazards.
Europe’s market shows steady replacement activity under the European Chemicals Agency’s PFAS roadmap, with a complete consultation on fluorinated firefighting foams scheduled by 2025[3]European Chemicals Agency, “PFAS Restriction Roadmap,” echa.europa.eu . Germany leads manufacturing volume; the United Kingdom hosts active pilot projects that field-test fluorine-free foams for airport crash-rescue units. Southern European petrochemical hubs refine adoption strategies around tank-farm retrofits, balancing cost, performance, and environmental compliance.
The Middle East & Africa capitalizes on extensive hydrocarbon infrastructure, but adoption rates depend on operator budgets and regional awareness of PFAS liabilities. South America remains a small but emerging opportunity where Brazilian offshore and Argentine mining ventures could lift spending if regulatory certainty improves.

Competitive Landscape
The firefighting foam market is consolidated, with numerous mid-sized chemical firms and niche formulators vying for contracts as PFAS exit deadlines loom. No single vendor controls an outsized slice, though Perimeter Solutions recorded 113% Fire Safety revenue growth in Q3 2024, underscoring its momentum in fluorine-free products. Established conglomerates are realigning portfolios: Carrier Global divested its Industrial Fire division to Sentinel Capital Partners for USD 1.43 billion in 2024, enabling targeted capital deployment toward core HVAC operations while the buyer consolidates fire-protection assets.
Johnson Controls announced the cessation of fluorinated foam production by June 2024, signaling a strategic pivot that echoes broader industry restructuring. Patent filings emphasize low-fluorine surfactant blocks and micro-encapsulated gas-release agents that improve bubble stability. Supply-chain strategies increasingly integrate concentrate manufacturing with nozzle, bladder tank, and proportioner production, offering customers bundled performance warranties that simplify bidding.
Firefighting Foam Industry Leaders
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Angus Fire
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Dafo Fomtec AB
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Sthamer
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Johnson Controls
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Perimeter Solutions
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Recent Industry Developments
- February 2025: Perimeter Solutions reported a 93.42% increase in fire safety sales, reaching USD 436.27 million in 2024. This growth highlights the rising demand for firefighting products, driving innovation and expanding their adoption across various applications.
- July 2023: Johnson Controls will stop producing and selling fluorinated firefighting foams, including AFFF, by June 2024, shifting to non-fluorinated alternatives to support eco-friendly, sustainable solutions in the market.
Global Firefighting Foam Market Report Scope
Firefighting foams are used for fire suppression. Their role is to cool the fire by forming a layer above, preventing its contact with oxygen, and hence, resulting in suppression of the combustion. The firefighting foam market is segmented by foam type (aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), alcohol resistant (AR-AFFF), synthetic/detergent foam concentrate, protein foam concentrate, and other foam types), end-user industry (oil and gas, chemical and pharmaceutical, mining, transportation, and other end-user industries), and geography (Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle-East and Africa). The report offers market size and forecasts for the firefighting foam market in terms of revenue (USD million) for all the above segments.
By Foam Type | Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) | ||
Alcohol-Resistant (AR-AFFF) | |||
Synthetic/ Detergent Foam Concentrate | |||
Protein Foam Concentrate | |||
Other Foam Types (Fluorine-Free Synthetic (F3), etc.) | |||
By Fluorine Content | PFAS-Containing | ||
Fluorine-Free | |||
By End-user Industry | Oil and Gas | ||
Chemical and Petrochemical | |||
Mining | |||
Transportation | |||
Other End-User Industries (Military and Defense, Warehousing and Logistics, etc.) | |||
By Geography | Asia-Pacific | China | |
India | |||
Japan | |||
South Korea | |||
Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
North America | United States | ||
Canada | |||
Mexico | |||
Europe | Germany | ||
United Kingdom | |||
France | |||
Italy | |||
Rest of Europe | |||
South America | Brazil | ||
Argentina | |||
Rest of South America | |||
Middle East and Africa | Saudi Arabia | ||
South Africa | |||
Rest of Middle East and Africa |
Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) |
Alcohol-Resistant (AR-AFFF) |
Synthetic/ Detergent Foam Concentrate |
Protein Foam Concentrate |
Other Foam Types (Fluorine-Free Synthetic (F3), etc.) |
PFAS-Containing |
Fluorine-Free |
Oil and Gas |
Chemical and Petrochemical |
Mining |
Transportation |
Other End-User Industries (Military and Defense, Warehousing and Logistics, etc.) |
Asia-Pacific | China |
India | |
Japan | |
South Korea | |
Rest of Asia-Pacific | |
North America | United States |
Canada | |
Mexico | |
Europe | Germany |
United Kingdom | |
France | |
Italy | |
Rest of Europe | |
South America | Brazil |
Argentina | |
Rest of South America | |
Middle East and Africa | Saudi Arabia |
South Africa | |
Rest of Middle East and Africa |
Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current value of the firefighting foam market?
The global firefighting foam market is valued at USD 0.87 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.12 billion by 2030.
Why are fluorine-free foams gaining traction?
Regulators are phasing out PFAS because of environmental persistence and health concerns, prompting users to adopt fluorine-free foams even though some options still trail AFFF in extinguishment speed.
Which end-user segment spends the most on foam?
Oil & Gas operators hold 46.93% of 2024 revenue due to extensive tank farms and offshore platforms that require specialized foam systems.
Which region is growing fastest?
Asia-Pacific registers the highest CAGR at 5.95% through 2030, driven by LNG bunkering terminals and rapid industrialization.
What performance challenges do fluorine-free foams face?
Laboratory and field tests show fluorine-free agents can take 1.5-2 times longer to extinguish hydrocarbon fires, though hardware enhancements like compressed-air systems can offset part of the gap.
How are leading companies responding to PFAS regulations?
Major suppliers are divesting PFAS portfolios, discontinuing AFFF lines, and fast-tracking synthetic surfactant R&D to capture demand for compliant, high-performance substitutes.
Page last updated on: June 19, 2025