Market Highlights
High-performance thermoplastic seals are designed to withstand extreme conditions, including temperature variations, pressure differentials, and exposure to aviation fluids. High-performance thermoplastic seals are typically made from advanced materials known for their durability, chemical resistance, and ability to maintain elasticity over a wide temperature range. Weight is a critical factor in aircraft design, high-performance thermoplastic seals, being lightweight contribute to overall weight reduction, enhancing fuel efficiency and overall aircraft performance. These high-performing seals are used in turbine shafts, air inlet vanes, internal and auxiliary gearboxes, accessory drive shafts, etc.
The market for high-performance thermoplastic seals is heavily reliant on the aerospace industry's organic growth. So, in times of booming growth, crisis, or recovery, a similar impact has been seen in the aircraft high-performance thermoplastic seals market. After a couple of setbacks over the past few years, the aircraft high-performance thermoplastic seals to grow at a promising CAGR of >7% during the forecast period of 2023-2028 to reach ~US$ 270 million by 2028.
Aircraft high-performance thermoplastic seals market is driven by increasing aircraft deliveries, growing fleet size, advent of new efficient variants of existing aircraft, increasing global military expenditure, and continuous increase in the demand for lightweight and durable seals at both OE and aftermarket levels. Boeing and Airbus will reach their peak production rates by the end of the decade. An average of 2,000-2,500 commercial aircraft to be delivered each year. Airbus forecasts a demand for 32,630 single-aisle and 8,220 wide-body aircraft over the next 20 years. Major players have a high focus on the aerospace industry, especially engine and airframe applications. They are strengthening their product portfolios to address the unmet needs of the market.
Recent Product Developments:
- Major players like Meggitt PLC are offering polymer-based flexible and lightweight seals for aircraft in order to achieve weight reduction.
- Greene Tweed’s Technaloc bonded seal provides high durability and saleability over the lifetime of an aircraft.
- Freudenberg introduced the Omegat OMS-CS cap seal, which can provide low friction for reciprocating application of seals.
- Trelleborg developed the Turcon VL seal for hydraulic aircraft systems, which can bear high pressures of up to 5,000 psi.
Recent Market JVs and Acquisitions:
- In 2023, Trelleborg acquired 4M Company Inc., the acquisition will allow Trelleborg to increase its capacity to produce elastomers, used in various aerospace seals. The acquired facility manufactures molded parts, O-rings, gaskets, and window seals for OEMs, primarily for the aerospace industry.
- In 2021, Parker Hannifin Corporation acquired Meggitt Plc., a British international company specializing in components for the aerospace, defense, and energy markets.
Market Segment Analysis
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Segmentations
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List of Sub-Segments
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Dominant and Fastest-Growing Segments
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Aircraft-Type Analysis
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Commercial Aircraft, Regional Aircraft, Helicopters, Military Aircraft, and General Aviation
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Commercial aircraft is anticipated to remain the biggest demand generator for high-performance thermoplastic seals in the years to come.
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Application-Type Analysis
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Nacelles & Engines; Interiors; Landing Gear, Wheels and Brakes; Flight Control Actuation and Hydraulics; and Others
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Flight control actuation and hydraulics dominated the market in 2022.
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Product-Type Analysis
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Lip Seals, Energized Seals, and Others
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Energized seals dominated the market in 2022 and is also expected to be the fastest-growing segment during 2023-28.
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Motion-Type Analysis
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Static Seals, Linear Seals, and Rotary Seals
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Linear seals led the market for aircraft high-performance thermoplastic seals.
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Material-Type Analysis
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PTFE and PAEK Family
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PTFE seals dominated the market in 2022, with continuous and increasing penetration over other material types.
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End-User-Type Analysis
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OE and Aftermarket
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OE held the major share of the market in 2022.
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Regional Analysis
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North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and The Rest of the World
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Asia-Pacific is likely to grow at the fastest rate, with China and India being the growth engines of the market.
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Based on the aircraft type, the market is segmented into commercial aircraft, regional aircraft, helicopters, military aircraft, and general aviation. Commercial aircraft is expected to be the dominant as well as the fastest-growing segment of the market. The B737 Max, A320neo family, B787, and A350XWB are the major contributors to the demand for high-performance thermoplastic seals. The COMAC C919 is likely to add some growth to the market. COMAC has a huge plan to raise the production rates of C919.
Based on the application type, the market is segmented into nacelles & engines; interiors; landing gear, wheels and brakes; flight control actuation and hydraulics; and others. Flight control actuation and hydraulics is expected to remain the dominant as well as the fastest-growing application category for high-performance thermoplastic seals during the forecast period. A large number of applications, such as spoilers, rudders, ailerons, door actuators, and linear utility actuators, rely on high-performance thermoplastic seals.
Based on the product type, the market is segmented into lip seals, energized seals, and others. Energized seals is expected to remain the dominant as well as the fastest-growing product in the market during the forecast period. The use of energized seals results in decreased downtime and improved productivity. Key applications of energized seals include APUs, brakes, fuel controls, pumps, valves, gearboxes, hydraulic systems, oxygen systems, landing gears, etc. Energized seals offer higher sealing ability, durability, and improved aerodynamic performance, leading to its higher demand in the market.
Based on the material type, the market is segmented into PTFE and PAEK Family. PTFE is expected to remain the larger and faster-growing material in the market during the forecast period. PTFE is compatible with various mating materials commonly found in aerospace applications, including metals and other polymers. Trelleborg is the pioneer in PTFE seals and provides a large variety of aircraft PTFE seals.
Based on the end-user type, the market is segmented into OE and aftermarket. OE is expected to be the dominant segment of the aircraft high-performance thermoplastic seals market. The growth of high-performance thermoplastic seals in the OE segment is driven by a combination of industry trends, technological advancements, regulatory considerations, and the increasing demand for efficient and reliable aircraft. As the aerospace industry continues to evolve, the demand for advanced sealing solutions is expected to persist.
In terms of regions, Asia-Pacific is likely to witness the highest growth by 2028, owing to an increasing defense budget, the launch of COMAC C919, the opening of assembly plants by Boeing and Airbus for their key programs, and a rising aircraft fleet size to support rising passenger traffic. China constitutes over 20% of the world’s aircraft market. Airbus is planning to set up a second production line in China for the A320 family by 2026. India is rapidly becoming an attractive market for all categories. In 2023, IndiGo and Air India have together placed orders for 970 planes.
Key Players
The market is highly consolidated with the presence of a handful of global players. Most of the major players compete on some of the governing factors including price, product offerings, regional presence, etc. The following are the key players in the aircraft high-performance thermoplastic seals market:
- Trelleborg AB
- Parker Hannifin Corporation
- Greene Tweed
- Saint-Gobain S.A.
- SKF Group
Research Methodology
This strategic assessment report from Stratview Research provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s aircraft high-performance thermoplastic seals market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period. The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner in order to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for market participants as well as investors in the identification of the low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as to formulate growth strategies to expedite their growth process.
This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with Stratview Research’s internal database and statistical tools. More than 1,000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data. We conducted more than 15 detailed primary interviews with market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.
Report Features
This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:
- Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis
- Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis
- Market trend and forecast analysis
- Market segment trend and forecast
- Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, Product portfolio, New Product Launches, etc.
- COVID-19 impact and its recovery curve
- Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities
- Emerging trends
- Strategic growth opportunities for existing and new players
- Key success factors
The aircraft high-performance thermoplastic seals market is segmented into the following categories.
Aircraft High-Performance Thermoplastic Seals Market, by Aircraft Type
- Commercial Aircraft (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
- Regional Aircraft (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
- Helicopters (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
- Military Aircraft (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
- General Aviation (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
Aircraft High-Performance Thermoplastic Seals Market, by Application Type
- Nacelles & Engines (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
- Interiors (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
- Landing Gear (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
- Wheels and Brakes (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
- Flight Control Actuation and Hydraulics (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
- Others (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
Aircraft High-Performance Thermoplastic Seals Market, by Product Type
- Lip Seals (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
- Energized Seals (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
- Others (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
Aircraft High-Performance Thermoplastic Seals Market, by Motion Type
- Static Seals (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
- Linear Seals (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
- Rotary Seals (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
Aircraft High-Performance Thermoplastic Seals Market, by Material Type
- PTFE (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
- PAEK Family (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
Aircraft High-Performance Thermoplastic Seals Market, by End-User Type
- OE (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
- Aftermarket (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
Aircraft High-Performance Thermoplastic Seals Market, by Region
- North America (Country Analysis: The USA, Canada, and Mexico)
- Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, The UK, Russia, and Rest of Europe)
- Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan, China, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)
- Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Others)
Report Customization Options
With this detailed report, Stratview Research offers one of the following free customization options to our respectable clients:
Company Profiling
- Detailed profiling of additional market players (up to three players)
- SWOT analysis of key players (up to three players)
Competitive Benchmarking
- Benchmarking of key players on the following parameters: Product portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances
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