BMI Prepreg Market Analysis | Industry Analysis | 2018-23

This report, from Stratview Research, studies the global BMI prepreg market over the trend period of 2012 to 2017 and forecast period of 2018 to 2023. The report provides detailed insights into the market dynamics to enable informed business decision making and growth strategy formulation based on the opportunities present in the market.

The Global BMI Prepreg Market: Highlights

The BMI prepreg market will continue to flourish with sizeable growth opportunities in the coming five years. It is estimated that the global BMI prepreg market is likely to grow at an excellent CAGR of 7.8% over the next five years. Growth of BMI prepreg would be higher than the overall prepreg market (7.8% vs 5.9%) over the next five years.

Composite materials have been witnessing the most disruptive journey especially in the aerospace & defense industry where the penetration of advanced composites has reached up to 53% of the structural weight in the next-generation aircraft programs, such as A350XWB, in order to make the aircraft lightweight yet durable with an ultimate aim to enhance fuel efficiency. However, the usage of composite materials in some applications, such as nacelles, missile radome, and aircraft propulsion system, is still limited owing to the fact that composite parts tend to degrade when exposed to extreme heat.

This factor has propelled the industry to develop high-temperature-resistant composite materials which can replace metals in applications where withstanding extreme heat and harsh environmental conditions is the most critical need. Among all, the most renowned development is Bismaleimide (BMI) prepreg, which can operate at temperatures reaching 350°C or above and can be used in a wide array of high-temperature applications, such as tooling, engine nacelles, compressor fairing, thrust reverser, automotive racing components, radomes, and missile propulsion system.

There are a number of factors which are directly or indirectly stimulating the growth of the global BMI prepreg market. One of the biggest factors is increasing production of composite-rich military aircraft, especially Lockheed Martin’s F-35. F-35 aircraft constitutes roughly 35% composites of its structural weight. Carbon/BMI prepreg are carbon/epoxy prepreg are the most common prepregs used to fabricate composite parts of F-35. Similarly, other military aircraft also contain a good amount of BMI prepreg in the structural section.

Another trend impacting the market is a gradual increase in the penetration of BMI prepreg in the commercial aircraft. Major OEMs are closely working with the engine OEMs and tier players to develop the fuel-efficient aircraft to meet airline demands. This is leading to the development of high-thrust engines, which generate more heat/temperature. It becomes important for the aircraft manufacturers to incorporate advanced materials in those areas with the purpose to make aircraft lightweight as well as to withstand extreme temperature.

The global BMI prepreg market is segmented based on the end-use industry type as aerospace, defense, and others. Aerospace is likely to remain the most dominant segment of the global BMI prepreg market during the forecast period. Increasing production rates of the fifth- generation military fighter aircraft F-35 (Joint Strike Fighter) is likely to give an impetus to the demand for BMI prepreg in the segment in the coming years. Lockheed Martin announced that it increased the deliveries of F-35 by 40% in 2017 than the previous year. The company is likely to further increase its annual deliveries from 66 aircraft in 2017 to an expected delivery of 160 aircraft in 2023.

Based on the application type, tooling is likely to remain the most dominant application over the next five years. BMI prepreg, in tooling application, serves high Tg (glass transition), which can be used across all the major structural parts in the aerospace & defense industry. It offers good mechanical performance, toughness, robust tooling, and durability with an excellent surface finish.

Based on the curing type, the autoclave is projected to maintain its dominance in the market over the next five years. Aircraft primary structures, such as wings, fuselages, and empennage components, were mostly fabricated by using composite materials and cured through an autoclave. High pressure of autoclave ensures good mechanical properties and helps reduce void contents. The segments of out-of-autoclave and others are also likely to witness healthy growth rates in the market during the forecast period.

Based on regions, North America is projected to remain the largest market for BMI prepreg during the forecast period, driven by the presence of world’s leading aircraft OEMs, aeroengine manufacturers, tier players, prepreg manufacturers, and raw material suppliers. The USA is the growth engine of the region’s market. Lockheed Martin has opened a new manufacturing facility to produce F-35 aircraft in Pinellas Park, Florida, the USA, to raise the existing production rate, which will generate the high demand of BMI prepreg in this region.

Europe, another major market, is also projected to create favorable growth opportunities during the forecast period. Dassault Aviation, BAE Systems, and Airbus Group are some of the key OEMs, which are driving the demand for BMI prepregs in the European market.

Asia-Pacific is likely to witness the highest growth during the same period, driven by a host of factors including increasing demand for commercial aircraft to support rising passenger traffic, the opening of assembly plants of Boeing and Airbus in China, upcoming indigenous commercial and regional aircraft (COMAC C919 and Mitsubishi MRJ), rising aircraft fleet size and increasing military spending by countries such as China and India.

The supply chain of this market comprises raw material suppliers, BMI prepreg manufacturers, part fabricators, engine manufacturers, aircraft OEMs, defense OEMs, Auto OEMs, airlines, leasing companies, and MRO companies. Major BMI prepreg companies are GMS Composites, Hexcel Corporation, Mitsubishi Chemical Carbon Fiber and Composites (MCCFC), Renegade Materials Corporation, Solvay S.A., and Koninklijke TenCate nv. Development of prepreg system, which can withstand extremely high temperature with ease of manufacturing processes; reduced operational cost; and formation of strategic alliances are some of the key strategies adopted by the players to gain a competitive edge in the market.

Research Methodology

This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of 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 700 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact book, press release, journals, investor presentation, white papers, patents, and articles have been leveraged to gather the data. We conducted more than 15 detailed primary interviews with the 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 the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the 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.
• Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities
• Emerging trends
• Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players
• Key success factors 

The global BMI prepreg market is segmented into the following categories. 

BMI Prepreg Market, By End-Use Industry Type

• Aerospace
• Defense
• Others

BMI Prepreg Market, By Application Type

• Tooling
• Airframe
• Nacelle
• Others

BMI Prepreg Market, By Reinforcement Type

• Unidirectional BMI Prepreg
• Fabric BMI Prepreg

BMI Prepreg Market, By Curing Type

• Autoclave-Cured BMI Prepreg
• Out-of-Autoclave-Cured BMI Prepreg
• Other BMI Prepregs

BMI Prepreg Market, By Region

• North America (Country Analysis: The USA, Canada, and Mexico)
• Europe (Country Analysis: France, Germany, the UK, Spain, Russia, and Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: China, Japan, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)
• Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Latin America, the Middle East, 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 3 players)
• SWOT analysis of key players (up to 3 players)

Market Segmentation

• Current market segmentation of any one of the applications by reinforcement type

Competitive Benchmarking

• Benchmarking of key players on the following parameters: Product portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances

Custom Research: Stratview Research offers custom research services across sectors. In case of any custom research requirement related to market assessment, competitive benchmarking, sourcing and procurement, target screening, and others, please send your inquiry at [email protected].