Growth Opportunities in Carbon Fiber Composites Market 2009-2014, June 2009

• Publication date: June 2009

The existence of carbon fiber came into being in 1879 when Edison took out a patent for the manufacture of carbon filaments suitable for use in electric lamps. However, it was in the early 1960s when successful commercial production started, as the requirements of the aerospace industry for better and lightweight materials became of paramount importance. In recent decades, carbon fibers have found wide applications in commercial aircraft, rec...

The existence of carbon fiber came into being in 1879 when Edison took out a patent for the manufacture of carbon filaments suitable for use in electric lamps. However, it was in the early 1960s when successful commercial production started, as the requirements of the aerospace industry for better and lightweight materials became of paramount importance. In recent decades, carbon fibers have found wide applications in commercial aircraft, recreational, industrial, and transportation markets as technologies became mature and as the prices of carbon fiber came down.
The carbon fiber is a new breed of high-strength material. In recent decades, carbon fibers have found wide applications in commercial aircraft (up to 50% of the structure as composites), along with recreational (about 50% penetration in golf and fishing pole as units) and industrial (low penetration with high growth) markets, as the price of carbon fiber has stabilized and technologies have matured. The market for carbon fiber has experienced a good growth in recent years. The growth rate for the last 23 years was about 12%.

Significant changes have taken place in carbon fiber market in last 4-5 years. There was shortage of carbon fiber during 2005-2006, however market scenario is rapidly changing due to global economic recession. From the perspective of carbon fiber suppliers, demand has slipped noticeably in the last six months as the global economy has worsened. At the same time, supply has increased to the degree some manufacturers now have ample supply of carbon fiber with relatively low lead times to consumers. According to Lucintel, global carbon fiber market is estimated to reach $2.4 billion in 2014. Lucintel has identified the best and worst performing markets in 2008. For the next five years, the global carbon fiber market is expected to grow 9.8% per year; however, individual results vary greatly from negative growth to as high as 29% per year. Discover which applications will grow the fastest and how changing penetration trends will affect the marketplace.

Never before has there been a report addressing the markets, opportunities, materials and technology issues of the carbon fiber market. This unique report from Lucintel will provide you with all the valuable information and tools you will need to operate your business successfully within the carbon fiber market. This report will save you hundreds of hours of your own personal research time and will significantly benefit you in expanding your business in the carbon fiber market. In today’s stringent economy, you need every advantage that you can find to keep ahead in your business. Learn about current and future trends, identify key players, and explore the directions that the carbon fiber market is heading.

To make business, investment, or strategic decisions, you need timely and adequate information. This market report fulfills this core need. This is an indispensable reference guide for fiber suppliers, resin suppliers, molders, OEMs, investors, researchers, executives, distributors and many more, who are dealing with the carbon fiber market. Some of the features of this market report are:
- Properties and price comparison of various kinds of carbon fiber. Current and future price ($ / lb) in aero and non-aero grade carbon fiber.
- Global carbon fiber market analysis with special emphasis on precursor. Market estimates for PAN based, Pitch based carbon fiber.
- Regional market analyses. Carbon fiber shipments and production in North America, Europe and Rest of World and as well as in various countries in above regions.
- Carbon fiber shipments in various markets and applications. Applications include CNG tank, transportation, marine, infrastructure, wind blade etc. in the industrial market; regional jet, general aviation, commercial aviation, defense, space, and helicopter in the aerospace market; golf, racket, skis and snowboard, fishing pole and others in the sporting goods market. The market for these is slated to grow to $19 billion by 2014.
- Trends (2003-2008) for the overall carbon fiber market and for its categories such as PAN based and pitch based carbon fiber. Few applications identified with more than 10% growth forecast over the next 5 years.
- Forecasts (2009-2014) for various market segment and applications in these segments.
- Carbon fiber market distribution by manufacturing processes such as filament winding, hand lay-up, pultrusion, autoclave, ATL, RTM and more.
- And manufacturing processes for PAN and pitch based carbon fiber.
- About 290 figures/charts and 65 tables in this 421-page market report to help you make confident business decisions.

Global Fiber Industry