Share of Ukrainian fire-retardant materials on the market has grown to 83% – analysis

According to a preliminary estimate, Ukraine’s passive fire protection market in 2025 is worth $8-12 million, while the share of imported materials has fallen from 80% in 2016 to 17% in 2025, the analytical center reports Experts Club.

“Local production reduces costs compared with imported analogues, which is especially important for large-scale reconstruction projects,” Kostiantyn Kalafat, co-owner and director of “Kovlar Group”, is quoted as saying in the material.

According to an analytical study by the Ukrainian manufacturer of passive fire protection products, the company “Kovlar Group”, based on the interim results of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome, provided that hostilities end, the market could grow to $25 million from 2026. Specialized fire-retardant paints (70-80%) are expected to dominate the demand structure, fire-retardant plasters and boards – 5-10%; penetration sealing and service protection systems – 5-10%; ventilation and smoke ducts and wood protection products – about 5%. An additional driver could be growing demand for epoxy and polyurethane fire protection systems for oil and gas infrastructure, energy, and strategic facilities – a segment previously limited by the high cost of imported analogues.

Experts Club notes that against the backdrop of war and logistical constraints, import substitution continues, and in 2025 the market simultaneously featured Ukrainian manufacturers and international brands through suppliers and certified systems, in particular Ammokote, Hensotherm, Defens, Promapaint, Steelguard. “Kovlar Group” is named in public assessments as the segment leader, claiming a share of about 65% of Ukraine’s fire-retardant materials market and a portfolio of more than 25 fire protection products and related materials; notable Ukrainian manufacturers also mentioned include “Kapitel Dnipro” and the research and production enterprise “Spetsmaterialy”.