Carbon fiber (CF) is used as a reinforcement material in composites. Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) are mainly used in wind energy, automotive, aerospace (commercial and military aircraft, space launch vehicles), and pressure vessel industries for increased strength to weight and stiffness. Other markets are sports & leisure composites (skis and snowboards, bicycles and hockey sticks) and construction. The market for CF and CFRP will grow through to 2033, with recent increased demand in several markets and capacity expansions.
CF has the characteristics of common carbon materials such as:
- high temperature resistance
- friction resistance
- electrical conductivity
- heat conduction
- corrosion resistance
It also has advantageous differences such as:
- shape has significant anisotropy
- can be processed into various fabrics
- has a small specific gravity and therefore has a high specific strength.
There are significant regulatory, economic and consumer motivations for manufacturers to adopt materials that reduce the weight of the product and maintain or increase its performance. For example, manufacturers are interested in producing aircraft and automobiles that are more fuel efficient, increasing the size of wind energy blades, and producing strong lightweight storage vessels for alternative transportation fuels. To this end, carbon fiber (CF) and carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) that provide lightweighting and strength enhancement potential, are primary candidate materials for meeting these goals.
Report contents include:
- Figures for current carbon fiber and CFRP demand, production capacities and projected future demand to 2033, by metric tonnes, end user markets and regions.
- Market and technical developments 2020-2023.
- Assessment of developments in plant-based carbon fibers, low cost production, alternative precursors and processes, and 3D printing.
- Markets covered include Aerospace, Sports & Leisure, Wind Energy, Automotive, Pressure Vessels, Construction & Infrastructure and Oil and Gas.
- 107 companies profiled including CF manufacturers, CFRP manufacturers and CF recyclers. Companies profiled include bCircular, Boston Materials, Carbon Conversions, Carbon Hexa, Continuous Composites, DowAksa, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Gen 2 Carbon, Hexcel Corporation, Hyosung Advanced Materials, Jiangsu Hengshen Co., Ltd., Kureha Corporation, LeMond Carbon, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, REGEN Fiber, Mallinda, SGL Carbon SE, Solvay SA, Teijin Limited, Toray Industries, Inc., UMATEX, Zhongfu Shenying and 9T Labs.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- 1.1. Key players
- 1.2. Global carbon fiber demand 2016-2033, by industry (MT)
- 1.3. Global carbon fiber revenues 2016-2033, by industry (billions USD)
- 1.4. Global carbon fiber demand 2016-2033, by region (MT)
- 1.5. Market drivers and trends
- 1.6. Market challenges
- 1.7. Future trends
2. INTRODUCTION
- 2.1. Carbon fibers
- 2.1.1. Properties of carbon fibers
- 2.1.1.1. Types by modulus
- 2.1.1.2. Types by the secondary processing
- 2.1.2. Precursor material types
- 2.1.2.1. PAN: Polyacrylonitrile
- 2.1.2.2. Pitch-based carbon fibers
- 2.1.2.3. Viscose (Rayon)-based carbon fibers
- 2.2. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP)
- 2.3. Bio-based and alternative precursors
- 2.3.1. Lignin
- 2.3.2. Polyethylene
- 2.3.3. Vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF)
- 2.3.4. Textile PAN
- 2.4. Recycled carbon fibers (r-CF)
- 2.4.1. Recycling processes
- 2.4.2. Companies
- 2.5. Carbon Fiber 3D Printing
- 2.6. Plasma oxidation
- 2.7. Carbon fibers from Direct Air Capture (DAC)
- 2.7.1. Deployment
- 2.7.2. Point source carbon capture versus Direct Air Capture
- 2.7.3. Technologies
- 2.7.3.1. Solid sorbents
- 2.7.3.2. Liquid sorbents
- 2.7.3.3. Liquid solvents
- 2.7.3.4. Airflow equipment integration
- 2.7.3.5. Passive Direct Air Capture (PDAC)
3. CARBON FIBER PRODUCTION CAPACITIES
- 3.1. Annual capacity, by producer
- 3.2. Market share, by capacity
4. MARKETS FOR CARBON FIBERS
- 4.1. Carbon fiber industry developments 2020-2023
- 4.2. Aerospace
- 4.2.1. Market drivers, applications, desirable properties, pricing and key players
- 4.2.2. Global demand
- 4.2.2.1. Carbon fiber
- 4.2.2.2. CFRP
- 4.3. Wind energy
- 4.3.1. Market drivers, applications, desirable properties, pricing and key players
- 4.3.2. Offshore
- 4.3.3. Global demand
- 4.3.3.1. Carbon fiber
- 4.3.3.2. CFRP
- 4.4. Sports & leisure
- 4.4.1. Market drivers, applications, desirable properties, pricing and key players
- 4.4.2. Global demand
- 4.4.2.1. Carbon fiber
- 4.4.2.2. CFRP
- 4.5. Automotive
- 4.5.1. Market drivers, applications, desirable properties, pricing and key players
- 4.5.2. Global demand
- 4.5.2.1. Carbon fiber
- 4.5.2.2. CFRP
- 4.6. Pressure vessels
- 4.6.1. Market drivers, applications, desirable properties, pricing and key players
- 4.6.2. Global demand
- 4.6.2.1. Carbon fiber
- 4.6.2.2. CFRP
- 4.7. Oil and gas
- 4.7.1. Market drivers, applications, desirable properties, pricing and key players
- 4.7.1.1. Carbon fiber
- 4.7.1.2. CFRP
- 4.8. Other markets
- 4.8.1. Construction & infrastructure
- 4.8.1.1. Market drivers, desirable properties, applications and pricing
- 4.8.2. Medical
- 4.8.2.1. Market drivers, desirable properties, applications and pricing
5. GLOBAL DEMAND TO 2033
- 5.1. Demand by market 2016-2033
- 5.1.1. Carbon fiber
- 5.1.2. Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP)
- 5.2. Demand by region 2016-2033
6. COMPANY PROFILES
- 6.1. Carbon fiber producers (29 company profiles)
- 6.2. Carbon Fiber composite producers (62 company profiles)
- 6.3. Carbon fiber recyclers (16 company profiles)
7. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
8. REFERENCES