As concerns grow in the aftermath of some recent high-profile fires, flame-retardant interior materials are seeing a surge in demand across South Korea thanks to the rise of so-called “safeteriors” - a portmanteau of “safety” and “interior.”

These fire-resistant products, once used mainly in hospitals and multi-use facilities, are now being adopted in homes. Interior firms are releasing specialized flame-retardant films that exceed minimum legal safety standards to tap into this expanding niche market.

Hyundai L&C recently launched “Bodaq Prime,” a special interior film with flame-retardant properties. It can be applied to walls, doors, furniture, and moldings to both enhance aesthetics and delay the spread of fire. Certified by the Korea Fire Institute (KFI), the product includes a flame-resistant coating layer and is made from low-emission PET material that limits the release of harmful gases such as hydrogen chloride.

According to Hyundai L&C, sales of building materials certified with flame-retardant or semi-nonflammable ratings have grown by an average of 20 percent annually since 2022, and first-quarter 2025 sales jumped 50 percent year-on-year.

Other companies that are also benefiting include Hansol Home Deco, which reported a 45 percent increase in monthly sales of its flame-retardant wall panel “Lasola Collect Wall” compared to the year before. Sales of its “Flame-retardant Storyboard” rose by 20 percent. The latter uses fire-resistant MDF, which provides internal as well as surface-level protection.

Fellow company KCC also released “Fire Mask 3005,” a new fireproof coating that can endure flames for up to three hours even with a thin application.

[ⓒ 매일경제 & mk.co.kr, 무단 전재, 재배포 및 AI학습 이용 금지]