Sector: Insulation

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Market Overview: This section focuses on insulation products, which is the material that most professionals rely on to help reduce energy costs and make a building more energy-efficient. In recent years, updated building codes like the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) administered by the International Code Council require a building to have a tighter envelope and more insulation. Insulation is evaluated based on how effectively it traps heat or R-Value, and builders and consumers are demanding products that are higher in R-Value. Because of this, insulation is becoming a key part of energy efficiency retrofits and new construction. 

This is good news for an industry with a large manufacturing presence in the United States and the ability to serve both domestic and export markets with various insulation product choices. The supply chain, which is very short and consists of mainly chemical inputs, is also, for the most part, domestically sourced.

Fiberglass insulation is a popular product choice among professional and DIY installers and is used in a variety of applications. Despite some concerns over health issues, further discussed in this website's "Minimize Harmful Chemicals" section, foamed plastic is gaining popularity in residential settings given its high R-value. Insulation manufacturers offer a wide range of insulation materials beyond these two major materials, like cellulose, polystyrene, or mineral wool. Many common materials have health concerns due to chemical components. As a result, some manufacturers are developing advanced materials like aerogels or non-toxic products like natural fibers or mycelium.