The Fireproofing Coatings For Wood Market is projected to register a strong CAGR during the forecast period (2026-2031).
The fireproofing coatings for wood are becoming increasingly popular as fire prevention measures are a primary concern in the construction of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, especially with the increased application of wood in contemporary architectural designs. Such coatings work by creating a shield on wood that protects it from fire. The protective layer also inhibits the surface from heating up to the point of ignition, decreases flame spread, and thus reduces the amount of smoke released. Therefore, they enable buildings to comply with the most demanding fire safety regulations.
Government regulations are instrumental in encouraging the use of fireproofing coatings for wood. For instance, in the U.S., regulations such as the International Building Code (IBC) and NFPA 13, as well as NFPA 285, prescribe the use of fire-resistant treatment of combustible materials in commercial and multi-story buildings. While in Europe, compliance with the EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and fire classification standards such as EN 13501-1 is necessary for wood coatings used in both structural and interior applications.
In the UK, Approved Document B (Fire Safety) under the Building Regulations outlines fire performance requirements for timber products. At the same time, countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including India and China, implement fire safety regulations through systems such as the National Building Code of India (NBC) and GB 8624 standards, thus promoting the increased use of certified fire-retardant wood coatings.
One of the key factors driving demand for high-performance fire-retardant solutions that safeguard the natural look of wood while enhancing safety is the increasingly widespread use of timber and wood-based products in green and sustainable construction. In the first half of the year (January to June), softwood sales in Australia averaged 208,086 m³ per month, and in the period from July to November, an average of 241,612 m³ per month. The figure thus indicates a 16 percent increase in sales between the two periods.
Overall, the market is mainly driven by demand for regulatory compliance, ongoing innovations in green coatings, and the heightened focus on fire safety, combined with design freedom.
Fireproofing Coatings For Wood Market Highlights
Fire safety regulations
Fire safety regulations significantly impact the demand for fireproofing coatings for wood. Many countries have introduced laws requiring buildings to meet specific fire safety standards, which may include fire-resistant materials. For instance, in the United States, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has established a series of codes and standards for fire safety in buildings, including codes that mandate the use of fire-rated materials in specific areas or applications. These regulations have increased the demand for fireproofing coatings for wood, providing an additional layer of fire protection to wooden structures. By adding this extra layer of protection, buildings can meet the required fire safety standards and reduce the risk of fire-related damage or loss of life. For example, some coatings can also provide improved insulation or soundproofing, contributing to energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
Sustainable and eco-friendly building materials
Sustainable and eco-friendly building materials are becoming increasingly popular due to their low environmental impact and energy efficiency. As a result, the demand for fireproofing coatings for wood has increased significantly in recent years. Sustainable building materials such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue-laminated timber (glulam) are becoming increasingly popular due to their low carbon footprint, renewable nature, and energy efficiency. However, these materials are also highly combustible, which makes them vulnerable to fire hazards. Fireproofing coatings for wood can help mitigate this risk by providing a protective layer that prevents the wood from igniting and spreading fire. These coatings can protect the wood from moisture, insects, and other environmental factors that can cause decay and deterioration over time. As a result, the building materials can last longer, reducing the need for frequent repairs and replacements, which can have a significant environmental impact.
Rapid Urbanization and Infrastructure Development
Rapid urbanization and infrastructure development are the key factors driving demand for fireproofing coatings for wood. This is because the growth of cities leads to a constant need for large-scale construction of residential complexes, commercial buildings, public infrastructure, and transportation facilities, all of which must meet the latest fire safety standards. Spending on private construction in the USA amounted to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,651.3 billion in October 2025, which was 0.6 percent (±0.5 percent) higher than the September estimate of $1,640.8 billion.
Governments and various regulatory authorities continue implementing building codes for urban projects, especially those of high-density and high-occupancy buildings, where developers are increasingly mandated to use certified fireproofing coatings in the design and construction phases. Case in point, the UK-based Ultrimax Aquimax Flameshield, launched in 2025 as a water-based, low-VOC fire protection coating for wood finishes, combining conformity to regulations with sustainability.
Additionally, there is a growing trend of using fire-resistant materials in buildings due to infrastructure investments in schools, hospitals, airports, metro stations, and public housing. As cities grow, fireproofing coatings for wood will be among the necessary elements to ensure building safety and meet codes.
By End-user: Commercial & Industrial
Based on end-user, the fireproofing coatings for wood market has been segmented into residential and commercial & industrial. The fireproofing coatings for wood are significant for commercial and industrial end-users, driven by the stringent fire safety standards and building codes, which increasingly involve wood in construction. The commercial sectors include applications where wood coatings are used in the construction of hospitals, hotels, offices, schools, and other buildings, while the industrial sector is dominated by high-risk sectors such as manufacturing, power generation, oil & gas, and other emerging sectors such as EV battery systems.
Governments globally have enforced strict fire safety regulations, such as in the U.S., the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which includes more than 300 codes and standards, such as NFPA 3 standard for commissioning of fire protection and life safety systems and NFPA 5000, Building Construction and Safety Code, among others. Similarly, building safety codes, such as the International Building Code (IBC), have standardized minimum fire safety standards and requirements in the construction sector.
Additionally, the rising construction in smart cities supported by urbanization is a major driver, requiring fireproofing coatings for modular buildings, data centers, and smart buildings, which has increased wood usage in interiors, and is expected to amplify market expansion. According to the India Press Information Bureau (PIB) release of June 2025, the government, under its Smart Cities Mission, which comprised 8,067 projects in 100 cities with an investment of ?1.64 lakh crore, completed 94% of the total projects. Along with this, 6% of the projects are ongoing, i.e., 512 projects with an investment of ?13,043 crore.
In addition to this, growing product innovation, such as ease of application and sustainability, is also supporting the segment's demand for fireproofing coatings for wood products. For instance, in February 2025, SIOResin announced the launch of an innovative, eco-friendly fire protection material, WRS-1002 water-based intumescent fireproof resin, developed for wood coatings. It is designed to expand over 100x when exposed to heat, creating a thick, insulating layer of char that blocks heat and oxygen and has low VOC content.
The construction trend in the United States is witnessing a considerable transformation with an emphasis on material usage that provides protection from man-made and other external environmental factors. Similarly, the ongoing technological innovation, followed by stringent regulations to prevent the wildland-urban interface (WUI), has further transformed the construction approach in the country.
Likewise, guidelines established by governing authorities such as the International Building Code's “Chapter 23,” which outlines standards for manufacturing wood and wood-based products, and “Chapter 7,” which describes the criteria for a material to be qualified as fire-resistant, have provided a framework for adopting effective fireproof coatings for structural applications. Similarly, the “NFPA 703” defines criteria for fire-retardant-coated building materials and fire-retardant-treated wood.
Well-established presence of major market players, namely Sherwin-Williams Company, American Fire Coatings, Inc., and Sika AG, whose portfolios comply with the local NFPA standards, has improved the overall market competitiveness. The ongoing sustainability trends are also driving innovations in wood coating technologies, aimed at improving overall efficacy, durability, and fire resistance while reducing VOC emissions.
Moreover, the ongoing investments in residential construction, fueled by growing housing demand, followed by the implementation of infrastructure projects such as shopping centers and public spaces, are further expected to drive the need for fireproofing coatings in major US states like New York. According to the New York Fire Department, in FY2025, the number of structural residential fires reached 20,180, marking a 3.25 percent growth over reported cases in FY2024. Additionally, the same source also specified that structural non-residential fires stood at 4,887, representing a 9.45 percent growth over the preceding year.
List of Companies
Nordtreat
Rudolf Hensel GmbH
Teknos Group Oy
Sherwin-Williams Company
FlameOFF Coatings
Sika AG
American Fire Coatings, Inc.
Astra Vernici SRL
Envirograf
ICA Group
Some of the key players in the fireproofing coatings for wood market are Nordtreat, Rudolf Hensel GmbH, and Teknos Group Oy, who are specifically focusing on fire-retardant wood solutions. Alongside them, global leading coatings companies such as Sherwin-Williams Company, AkzoNobel N.V., PPG Industries, BASF SE, and Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd. are also part of the same market.