Market Insights
Thermoplastic composite materials are considered excellent materials for current and future aircraft components. Years of R&D and continuous efforts assisted the industry stakeholders in replacing not only various metallic parts but also thermoset composite parts. From being used in nominal and non-crucial areas of application to being a part of the most high-performance applications such as fuselages, composites have had a striking and prodigious journey in the aerospace industry. Increasing demand for weight reduction to improve fuel economy and reduce carbon emissions in the aerospace industry, increasing penetration of composites in modern aircraft programs, and low processing cost coupled with the advantage of recyclability of thermoplastic composites over thermoset composites are some of the key factors driving the demand.
The market is highly impacted by new technological advancements, production rates of aircraft, FAA regulations, and other factors. Major players have been working hard for advancements in the existing thermoplastic materials. There has also been a development of a unidirectional carbon prepreg, which further allows weight savings through high fiber content and can be fabricated with an automated production process for high-volume production.
The A&D industry is on the road to recovery from the grave aftermath of the pandemic, the impact of which can also be seen in the A&D thermoplastic composites market. The A&D thermoplastic composites market is likely to grow at a promising CAGR of 18.6% during 2023-2028 to reach US$ 840 million in 2028.
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, General Aviation, Military Aircraft, and Others
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Commercial aircraft is anticipated to remain the biggest demand generator in the years to come.
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Resin-Type Analysis
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PPS-based Composites, PEEK-based Composites, PEI-based Composites, and Other Composites
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PEEK-based composites are commonly used for aircraft applications. The material category is also likely to see the highest growth during 2023-2028.
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Application-Type Analysis
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Airframe, Interiors, and Others
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Airframe took the lead in terms of applications and is expected to grow at the highest rate during 2023-2028.
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Fiber-Type Analysis
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Carbon Fiber Composites and Glass Fiber Composites
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Carbon fiber composite is expected to remain the more attractive segment by 2028.
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Consolidation-Type Analysis
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Compression Molding, Injection Molding, AFP/ATL, and Others
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Compression molding grabbed the major share of the market and is anticipated to be the highest-growth segment by 2028.
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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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North America is expected to remain the largest market over the next five years, whereas Asia-Pacific is likely to grow at the fastest rate.
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Stratview Research has first segmented the A&D thermoplastic composites market based on the aircraft type into commercial aircraft, general aviation, military aircraft, and others. Commercial aircraft is expected to remain the largest segment of the market over the next five years and is also expected to experience the highest growth during the same period. Within the A380 airframe, thermoplastic composites account for more than 1,000 individual part numbers, representing a mass of more than 5,000 lb/2.27 metric tons or about 7.5% of the aircraft’s total composite airframe flyaway weight. Thermoplastic composites are also used to provide localized reinforcement between some of the fuselage frames, in the form of shear webs, on the 787 (about 150 per aircraft). On average, about 8,000 clips are used in an A350XWB aircraft, whereas there are 10,000 to 15,000 such clips and cleats in a B787 aircraft.
Based on the resin type, the A&D thermoplastic composites market is segmented into PPS-based composites, PEEK-based composites, PEI-based composites, and other composites. PEEK is estimated to maintain its huge dominance in the market. Key advantages that drive its usage in the A&D industry are weight reduction, excellent strength and chemical resistance at elevated temperatures, and lower brittleness than PPS resin. PEEK is often used with carbon fiber to fabricate clips, cleats, brackets, clamps, and connectors.
Based on the application type, the market is segmented into interior, airframe, and others. Airframe holds a giant share of the market with a good level of thermoplastic composite penetration in the application segment. Key application areas in the airframe segment are clips, cleats, leading edges, panels for the fuselage, shear webs, stringers, ribs, rudders, and elevators. There is also growing interest in thermoplastic composites in interiors with floor panels, brackets, profiles, and seat backs being key applications.
Based on the fiber type, the market is segmented into carbon fiber composites and glass fiber composites. Carbon fiber composite is estimated to maintain its huge dominance in the market in the foreseen future. Excellent weight reduction, high strength-to-weight ratio, a high tensile and compressive strength, a low coefficient of thermal expansion, and high fatigue resistance are some key advantages that drive the segments’ market. On the other hand, glass fiber composite holds a niche market with good prevalence in interior applications where it meets desired performance.
Based on the process type, the market is segmented as compression molding, bagging, and injection molding. Compression molding is expected to remain the dominant process type in the market during the forecast period. Compression molding offers faster part cycle time, reduced part waste, and reduced defects, which overall lead to lower cost. By monitoring the temperature during the molding process, quality and process consistency also improve.
In terms of regions, Europe is expected to remain the largest market over the next five years. Germany, France, and the UK are the leading markets in the region. Airbus is the major consumer of thermoplastic composites. Major tier players have set up manufacturing plants in high proximity to Airbus’ assembly plants to fulfill their emerging requirements for its next-generation aircraft programs. North America also holds a reasonable share in the A&D thermoplastic composites market. Boeing and Gulfstream Aerospace are the key OEMs, which are creating a healthy demand for thermoplastic composite parts in the region
Research Methodology
This strategic assessment report from Stratview Research provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s A&D thermoplastic composites 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 the 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 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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