Sporting Goods Composites: Unveiling Growth Prospects and Competitive Landscape

What is the Forecasted Market Growth?

Composites usage in sports provide a distinct advantage due to their high strength-to-weight ratios and increased durability. Shift in consumer demand towards more robust and light weight sporting goods is expected to fuel market growth. Emerging markets, coupled with increasing consumer participation in different sports activities, is anticipated to drive market expansion. Increasing disposable income levels worldwide can be viewed as a growth multiplier.

What Are the Prominent Composites Used in Sports Equipment?

Predominantly, carbon and glass fiber reinforced polymers are the primary composites utilized. These materials lend themselves excellently to applications requiring high tensile strength and low weight, such as golf clubs, tennis rackets, canoes and bicycles. The usage of carbon composites specifically has increased due to its higher strength and lower weight compared to glass fibers, although the cost is significantly higher. Enhanced performance parameters and durability are key competitive advantages for these materials.

Who Are The Key Players in the Market?

The competitive landscape of sporting good composites is fragmented with major players including Toray Industries, Teijin Limited, Cytec Industries and SGL Group. These corporations have gained significant market share through a portfolio of high-performance products. The market is characterized by a sustained focus on research and development activities aimed at improving product properties and increasing usability in sports equipment production. A strategic untakeable position is held by those who can successfully couple innovation with cost-efficiency.