Aerospace Composites Market is projected to grow from USD 23.8 billion in 2020 to USD 41.4 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 11.7% during the forecast period. The market is growing due to the increase in the demand for high-performance materials, with properties such as low weight, high strength-to-weight ratio, good tensile strength, and electrical conductivity.
This report also provides a comprehensive analysis of the companies listed below:
- Solvay (Belgium), Toray Industries, Inc. (Japan), Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings (Japan), Hexcel Corporation (US), Teijin Limited (Japan), SGL Group (Germany), and Spirit AeroSystems (US)
Impact of COVID-19 on global aerospace composites market
COVID-19 has negatively affected the demand for composites in the aerospace industry. The disruption in the supply chain resulting in delays or non-arrival of raw materials disrupted financial flows, and growing absenteeism among production line workers have compelled aircraft manufacturers to operate at partial capacities. The travel restriction has reduced air travel significantly, which has hit hard to aerospace industry by reducing new aircraft deliveries. The reduced aircrafts deliveries have reduced demand for composites materials.
n December 2019, Solvay and SGL Carbon entered into a joint development agreement (JDA) to bring to market the first composite materials based on large-tow intermediate modulus (IM) carbon fiber. These materials address the need to reduce costs and CO2 emissions and improve the production process and fuel efficiency of next-generation commercial aircraft.
In February 2019, Teijin Limited acquired Renegade Materials Corporation, a supplier of highly heat-resistant thermoset prepreg for the aerospace industry in North America. This helped the company to solidify its position as a leading provider of solutions for aerospace applications.
Carbon fiber composites comprise a major share of the aerospace composites market
Carbon fibers composites are extensively used in aerospace applications, owing to their superior strength-to-weight ratio and anti-corrosive property. The aerospace industry has widely adopted carbon fiber composites for various applications, such as wings, fuselage, engine nacelles, fan casings, floorboards, and interior parts. The evolution in the manufacturing technology of carbon fiber composites parts is also driving its use in aerospace applications. The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in the disruption in the supply chain, resulting in reduced demand for carbon fiber composites in the aerospace industry.
Polymer matrix type accounted for the largest share in the global aerospace composites market in terms of value and volume.
Polymer matrix composites materials are made by reinforcing fibers, such as carbon and glass fibers with matrix materials – thermoset or thermoplastic. Fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites combine high strength, stiffness, toughness, and low density, and thus obtain high strength-to-density and stiffness-to-density ratios along with superior physical properties. These materials find applications in the structural components, interior components, and engine components used in aircraft. With the outbreak of COVID-19, there is a reduced demand for composites materials in the aerospace industry. This has forced the polymer matrix composites manufacturers to operate at partial or reduced capacities.
Exterior application accounted for the largest share in the global aerospace composites market in terms of value and volume.
Exterior structures of aircraft built with composite materials include landing gears, leading and trailing edges, engine nacelles, undercarriage, fuselage, and wings. Nowadays, composites materials such as carbon fiber composites are used in engine components and engine blades. The reduced demand for new commercial and business aircraft from the aviation industry due to the COVID-19 slowdown has resulted in a decline in the need for composites materials for exterior application.
Europe is expected to account for the largest share in the aerospace composites market during the forecast period.
Europe accounted for the largest market share in the aerospace composites market due to high demand from commercial aerospace industries. Moreover, it is home to many key aerospace composite manufacturers, such as SGL Carbon, Solvay, and TenCate. Increased deliveries of Airbus aircraft primarily drives the composites material demand in Europe. Apart from this, the region develops military aircraft and helicopters. The European region is one of the worst affected by the COVID-19, resulting in decreased industrial and economic activities across all major countries such as Germany, France, the UK, Italy, and France. In the first quarter, the number of aircraft deliveries of Airbus has reduced, resulting in less demand for composite materials.
