[127 Pages Reports] Retro-reflective materials are materials that have the property of reflecting light to its source with minimum scattering. When illuminated by a light source, they help in perceiving the objects in low light or dark conditions. The retro-reflective materials are based on glass beads, micro prismatic, and ceramic beads technologies.
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The retro-reflective materials market size is expected to reach USD 12,492.1 million by , at a CAGR of 17.5% between and . The demand for retro-reflective materials has gradually increased as these materials have no substitute, and they provide safety benefits. This demand for retro-reflective materials is also projected to grow, as the government organizations across the world are forming strict safety standards regarding the use of workwear that provides enhanced visibility in low light conditions.
Based on technology, the retro-reflective materials market is segmented into micro prismatic, glass beads, and ceramic beads. The micro prismatic technology segment dominates the retro-reflective materials market. The use of this technology provides enhanced retro-reflectivity of materials. The micro prisms, when used in the retro-reflective materials, offer a minimum scattering of light and ensures maximum returning of the light back to its source.
Based on product types, the retro-reflective materials market is segmented into films, sheets & tapes, paints, inks & coatings, and others that include threads and fabrics. The films, sheets & tapes dominate the retro-reflective materials market in the product type segment. Films, sheets & tapes have a wide range of applications and are used in all the major industries such as apparel, construction & infrastructure, and automotive & transportation.
The retro-reflective materials market is dominated by the traffic control & work zone application. Owing to the ability to provide enhanced visibility and safer navigation on roads in low light conditions, the use of retro-reflective materials has increased in the traffic control & work zone application. In the traffic control & work zone application, the use of retro-reflective materials is significant in various signboards, road markings, and work zone equipment.
APAC is the largest market for retro-reflective materials. The high growth of industries such as automotive & transportation and construction & infrastructure has helped the region achieve a leading position in the global retro-reflective materials market. The region is also a potential market for retro-reflective materials, according to the key players such as 3M (US), ORAFOL (Germany), and Avery Dennison (US). The region has a high demand for retro-reflective materials for various purposes, such as safety apparels, road markings, signboards, and conspicuity markings, among others.
The essential strategies undertaken by the market players in the retro-reflective materials market are new product developments, acquisitions; partnerships; and expansions. The key players in the retro-reflective materials market are 3M (US), Avery Dennison (US), ORAFOL (Germany), Dominic Optical (China), Changzhou Hua R Sheng Reflective Material (China), Coats Group (UK), Nippon Carbide Industries (Japan), Paiho Group (Taiwan), Asian Paints PPG (India), and Reflomax (South Korea).
A significant share of revenue in the retro-reflective materials market is generated by the use of these materials in the construction & infrastructure industry, in applications such as road markings, signboards, and safety cones, among others. The construction & infrastructure industry is growing globally. For instance, according to the Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), 783 projects were undertaken by the Indian government in , and the construction projects recorded a growth rate of 1.23% from to . Such large projects undertaken by the government demand high consumption of retro-reflective paints for making markings on the highways to ensure traffic safety. These highways also require retro-reflective films, sheets & tapes for making signboards to navigate the drivers in low light or nighttime conditions. Such initiatives taken by the governments of the developing economies such as India, South Korea, and China, among others, have helped the retro-reflective materials market to grow gradually.
Stringent government regulations have been implemented by the governments of the developed economies in Europe and North America for the use of retro-reflective materials significantly in vehicle markings and safety apparel. These regulations imposed by the governments strictly monitor the service life of these materials. The retro-reflective materials are quickly replaced if they are found in torn, noticeably faded, soiled, cracked, burned, heavily abraded, or damaged conditions. However, in developing economies such as India, Brazil. Malaysia, Pakistan, and South Korea, the regulations are not yet that stringent as compared with the regulations in the developed economies. They mostly follow the standards imposed by the developed economies in Europe and North America for manufacturing safety vests, safety jackets, and vehicle markings. The shelf life and replacement of damaged retro-reflective products are also not taken seriously into consideration in the developing economies. The less awareness in the developing economies regarding safety products may pose a threat to the safety of people, thereby affecting the growth of the retro-reflective materials market.
The retro-reflective materials market is dominated by the use of micro prismatic and glass beads technologies. The use of ceramic beads technology is an emerging trend in the retro-reflective materials market. The ceramic beads have a high reflective index and are more robust when compared with glass beads. They ensure enhanced retro-reflectivity in comparison to the glass beads. 3M (US), a leading player of the retro-reflective materials market, has increased its focus on the use of ceramic beads. 3M is using ceramic beads for pavement marking applications. The use of ceramic beads provides easy installation, durability, and enhanced performance in extreme weather conditions.
Retro-reflective materials have a limited shelf-life. Retro-reflective products such as films, sheets & tapes provide performance durability of 2 to 10 years. However, continuous exposure of these films, sheets & tapes to high heat or extreme weather conditions further decreases their effective performance life. Also, the retro-reflective inks that are used on apparel have a shelf-life of only 12 months. These retro-reflective materials are, therefore, required to be changed periodically. This increases the purchase cost for end-users. The shelf-life of these materials, if improved, can increase the durability of the retro-reflective materials and can aid in the financial benefits of users.
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Market size available for years
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Base year considered
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Value (USD, million)
Segments covered
By technology, By product type, and By application
Geographies covered
North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, MEA
Companies covered
3M (US), Avery Dennison (US), ORAFOL (Germany), Dominic Optical (China), Changzhou Hua R Sheng Reflective Material (China), Coats Group (UK), Nippon Carbide Industries (Japan), Paiho Group (Taiwan), Asian Paints PPG (India), and Reflomax (South Korea)
This research report categorizes the retro-reflective materials market based on technology, product type, application, and region. It forecasts revenue growth and analyzes trends in each of these submarkets.
3M (US), Avery Dennison (US), ORAFOL (Germany), Changzhou Hua R Sheng Reflective Material (China), Coats Group (UK)
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Finally had a chance over the weekend to get back to this project. Here are the results.
Control 1: white paint only
- no reflectivity
Control 2: 1.9 beads only
- best reflectivity, but blackout in wet conditions (loss of reflectivity)
Sample 1: Thinned Frog Juice brush on (3:1 ratio to mineral spirits) + blowtorch over 1.9 beads
- performed slightly better than previous attempt with brush on method (9:1 ratio, no heat), but uneven reflectivity in low light
Sample 2: Frog Juice aerosol + blowtorch over 1.9 beads
- performed slightly worse than Control 2 in low light, but had the benefit of improved adhesion
Sample 3: Frog Juice aerosol + blowtorch (2 coats, 30 minutes apart) over 1.9 beads
- performed slightly worse than Sample 2, but had the benefit of being hydrophobic
Sample 4: Frog Juice aerosol + 1.9 beads over dry paint
- performed worse than Sample 1; beads did not adhere well using Frog Juice as bonding agent
Sample 5: Frog Juice aerosol + 1.9 beads over 1.9 beads
- performed worse than Sample 4; top layer of beads reduced reflectivity of bottom layer of beads
A few things to note:
- The base coat for all of the samples was a high gloss enamel (Rustoleum pro-grade aerosol). I applied three thin coats several minutes apart, and then sprayed on a slightly heavier top coat. While still wet, for all but Sample 4, I sifted on the beads and let it dry completely before knocking off the excess beads and buffing with a stiff nylon brush. If the top coat is too thick, the bead powder will sink and clump, and the finish will not be smooth; however, if too thin, it will dry too quickly and the beads will not adhere uniformly.
- To apply the beads, I used a glass mason jar with a 2" hole cut in the lid and covered on the inside with several layers of fiberglass window screening oriented randomly. The screening broke up any clumps and made for a slow, consistent pour.
- The bead coating will give a bright white base coat a slightly grayish tint when not viewed in direct light.
- I applied the clear coat in my workshop but used the blowtorch outdoors since the Frog Juice label said its vapors are extremely explosive. Working outdoors also had the benefit of monitoring the reflectivity of the test sample during the heating process. I applied the heat immediately (since the Frog Juice product is quick drying) and until the wetness of the clear coat had dissipated.
- I used a mini butane torch rather than a full-sized propane torch since I couldn't keep the propane lit with the constant movement. Both emit CO2 which, what I've read, is what pops the air bubbles. I believe the lightweight nature of the mini torch also allowed for greater precision.
- When used over glass beads, Frog Juice will cure to an eggshell/semi-gloss sheen (as compared to the overspray on my work surface which was very glossy).
To test the reflectivity, I placed the samples 30 ft. away in a heavily wooded area at night time. I then shined a low-powered LED flashlight on the test samples and compared the results to Control 1 and 2. Finally, I misted water on each sample and re-tested. (I performed similar tests in the past with 1.5 intensity beads, but the reflectivity was undetectable beyond 10 or 15 ft.)
Based on my experiments, Sample 3 seems to demonstrate the best technique for clear coating glass beads to achieve a smooth finish and prolonged reflectivity in a variety of weather conditions.
I also learned that aluminized glass beads are now available in powder form. Unlike standard beads, a mirror-like finish is applied to half of each bead to give it a higher intensity. Perhaps this would counteract the effects of a clear coat, although it might have the side effect of turning a bright white base coat dark gray unless intermixed with clear beads.
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