Foam blowing agents refer to substances, which produce cellular structure through foaming process and increase thermal and acoustic insulation, and flexibility of the final product. The foam blowing agents are used as additives in the manufacturing of foam and injected through high pressure injection into the substrate, when they are in liquid state. These agents then create holes and expand in matrix, thus providing cellular structure to the substrate. The cellular structure provides strength to the foam, while using very less material. Foam blowing agents are utilized to upgrade and enhance certain properties and nature of polymers. Polymer foams produced using blowing agents are low weight, and characterized with uniform foam structure.

The North American foam blowing agent market is growing, due to increasing demand for polymeric foams in the construction and automotive industries, and high demand of foam blowing agents in the manufacturing of polyurethane foam. However, the frequent changes in the usage of foam blowing agents and high cost involved with it, and stringent environmental regulations are expected to hamper the growth of the North American foam blowing agents market. The development of eco-friendly blowing agents with low GWP and ODP, and increasing consumption of blowing agents in the U.S. market have been observed as opportunities in the North American foam blowing agents market.

The major companies operating in the North American foam blowing agents market include Daikin Industries Ltd., Arkema S.A., Honeywell International Inc., Exxon Mobil Corporation, Linde AG, Sinochem Group, Solvay S.A., Harp International Ltd and Zeon Corporation.