Aircraft De-Icing Fluids Market Growth Analysis | 2019-2024

Market Insights

The Global Aircraft De-Icing Fluids Market is projected to grow at a healthy CAGR of 4.2% over the next five years to reach US$ 877.6 million in 2024.

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What are Aircraft De-Icing Fluids?

Aircraft de-icing fluids play an important role in providing safe, uninterrupted, and timely air travel during inclement weather conditions. Aircraft de-icing fluids are typically ethylene glycol and propylene glycol-based fluids, which also contain water, corrosion inhibitors, wetting agents, and dye. These fluids are formulated to assist in removing ice, snow, and frost layers from the external surfaces of an aircraft and reduce the freezing point of the water. The Type I de-icing fluids remove ice, snow, and frost layers from the external surfaces of the aircraft, whereas anti-icing fluids (Type II, Type III, and Type IV) prevent the aircraft from further freezing the ice on its critical surfaces for a certain period. In the recent past, there have been some aircraft accidents that have created fear among the airlines for snow deposition on the aircraft surfaces when an aircraft is in the air. Different types of fluids are used for de-icing different aircraft depending on the rotational speed and recommendation by the aircraft manufacturer.

Market Dynamics

Rise in air passenger and cargo traffic, increasing construction of new airports & expansion of existing airports, rising accidents & problems associated with snow deposition on aircraft, expanding global tourism sector, especially in colder regions, and increasing demand for eco-friendly and recyclable de-icing materials are the major factors that are driving the demand for aircraft de-icing fluids. North America and Europe are the biggest demand generators for de-icing fluids with a combined share of more than two-thirds of the total market.

Segments Analysis

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By Aircraft Type

Based on the aircraft type, the market is bifurcated into Commercial Aircraft, Military Aircraft, General Aviation, and UAVs. Commercial aircraft is likely to remain the most dominant segment of the market over the next five years. It is also likely to be the fastest-growing segment over the forecast period, mainly driven by the rising passenger traffic and an increasing fleet of commercial aircraft in cold regions such as North America and Europe. In the winter season, thousands of flights get canceled or delayed worldwide due to low temperatures and icy weather conditions. It acts as a major bottleneck for the airlines in providing a better service to its customers along with an adverse impact on their profitability/margin.

By Fluid Type

Based on the fluid type, the market is segmented into Type I, Type II, Type III, and Type IV. Type I is likely to remain the most dominant and fastest-growing segment of the market during the forecast period. Type I fluids are generally used for removing the ice, snow, or frost layers from the critical surfaces of an aircraft such as the wing’s leading edges, engine inlets, fuselage, and vertical fins. It provides very limited anti-ice protection and has a very short holdover time of 10 to 15 minutes. These fluids are generally applied before applying type II, II, or IV type of fluids, the latter provides more holdover time and longer ice protection. Type I is the first step in de-icing any aircraft. If an aircraft is de-iced with only type I fluid, then it has just a short period of holdover time, i.e., to take-off only.  Type III fluid holds the smallest share of the market, due to its limited use in most of the countries.

By Material Type

Based on the material type, the market is segmented into Propylene Glycol and Ethylene Glycol-based De-Icing Fluids. The propylene glycol-based de-icing fluids segment is projected to maintain its dominance in the market over the next five years. It is likely to grow at a higher rate during the forecast period as well. Propylene glycol-based de-icing fluids are replacing ethylene glycol-based de-icing fluids, owing to their less toxic nature. Although ethylene glycol is a better heat transfer fluid than propylene glycol, it can adversely affect the environment due to its inappropriate disposal on runways at airports. It may enter waterways and may affect the flora and fauna in the surrounding environment. Most airports worldwide prefer to use propylene glycol-based de-icing fluids and avoid the use of ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol-based de-icing fluid still found commercial applications in countries, such as Canada and Russia.

Regional Analysis

In terms of regions, North America is projected to remain the largest market for aircraft de-icing fluids during the forecast period, primarily driven by the USA. The country is the growth engine of the region’s market and has one of the largest fleets of aircraft in the world. Airbus, in its commercial aircraft outlook for 2018-2037, stated that there will be total deliveries of 6,307 passenger and freighter aircraft in North America during 2018-2037. The company also anticipated that there will be a total active fleet of 8,281 passenger and freighter aircraft in the region by 2037. The USA also has the largest fleet of regional aircraft, business jets, military aircraft, and UAVs, which further pledges the dominance of the USA in the global market.

Europe is projected to remain the second-largest market during the forecast period and is projected to witness the second-highest CAGR during the forecast period. Increasing aircraft fleet size and rising air passenger traffic in the colder regions are the major factors driving the demand for de-icing fluids in Europe. Clariant and Inland Technologies Inc. are the major players, which are based in Europe and supply de-icing fluid products to the major airlines of Europe. Airbus, as of 30 Nov. 2018, has a total order backlog of 7,337 commercial aircraft. The company is raising the production rate of its best-selling aircraft: A320 including Neo and A350XW, to meet the huge order backlog.

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Key Players

The supply chain of this market comprises raw material suppliers, de-icing fluid manufacturers, distributors, aircraft manufacturers, aircraft leasing companies, and airport authorities.

The key aircraft de-icing fluid manufacturers are-

• Clariant AG
• DowDuPont Inc
• Proviron Functional Chemicals NV
• ADDCON GmbH
• Aviation Xi-an High-Tech Physical Chemical Co., Ltd.
• Kilfrost Group Plc
• Cryotech Deicing Technology
• LNT Solutions
• Inland Technologies
• Abax Industries SAS.

The development of non-toxic and recyclable aircraft de-icing fluids and collaboration with customers are some of the most common strategies adopted by the major players to remain competitive in the market.

Research Methodology

For calculating the market size, our analysts follow either Top-Bottom or Bottom-Top approach or both, depending upon the complexity or availability of the data points. Our reports offer high-quality insights and are the outcome of a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with Stratview Research’s internal database and statistical tools. We leverage a multitude of authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, government sources, trade associations, journals, investor presentations, white papers, and articles to gather the data. More than 10 detailed primary interviews with the market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts are usually executed to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.

Report Features

This report, from Stratview Research, studies the aircraft de-icing fluids market over the trend period from 2013 to 2018 and the forecast period from 2019 to 2024. The report provides detailed insights into the market dynamics to enable informed business decision-making and growth strategy formulation based on the opportunities present in the market.

What Deliverables Will You Get in this Report?

Customization Option

With this detailed report, Stratview Research offers one of the following free customization options to our respectable clients:

Company Profiling

• Detailed profiling of additional market players (up to three players).
• SWOT analysis of key players (up to three players).

Competitive Benchmarking

• Benchmarking of key players on the following parameters: Product portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances.

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