High Performance Composites

Report Overview

The demand landscape for high performance compos- ites will shift yet again over the forecast period. High performance composites are becoming more wide- spread and attracting new companies, thus becoming less expensive.

Market penetration

High performance composites have continued to penetrate more and more markets, starting off years ago in niche, high-priced outlets such as aerospace and luxury sports cars. Now they are used widely in technologies that are transforming the way people live their lives, such as being included in wind turbines and gas tanks in alternative fuel-powered motor vehicles. In addition, government and industry are partnering to expedite technological advancement and affordability.

Wind energy & pressure vessels support gains

Though the large aerospace market propelled gains in the past, it will be the wind energy and pressure vessel markets that support gains into the forecast period. Without any major new aircraft, demand for high performance composites in the aerospace market will decelerate, though it will be supported by the ramp-up in deliveries of F-35 fighter jets.

The wind market will be supported by a production credit allowing producers and investors to make longer-term plans and invest with less uncertainty about market subsidies, and pressure vessels will find in- creased usage as lightweight storage containers for motor vehicles employing alternative fuel systems.

Partnerships driving costs down for motor vehicle composites

Widespread adoption of high performance composites in the motor vehicle segment -- long a primary goal of the carbon fiber industry –- has still not been accomplished. High performance composites are still more expensive and too slow to process to be utilized widely in the mass market models that are manufactured on today’s assembly lines. However, government and industry are working together to bring costs down substantially, in part to meet aggressive future fuel efficiency standards.

Study coverage

High Performance Composites presents historical demand data for 2005, 2010 and 2015, plus forecasts for 2020 and 2025 by fiber type (carbon fiber, s-glass, aramid, other), market (aerospace, automotive and industrial, energy, defense and safety, consumer, construction, other) and resin (epoxy, thermoplastic, polyester, phenolic resin, other). The study also considers market environment factors, assesses the industry structure and evaluates company market share.

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