Aerospace And Defense Thermoset Compounds Market Report

Market Insights

“The aerospace & defense thermoset compounds market was valued at US$53 million in 2024 and is likely to grow at a decent CAGR of 5.2% in the long run to reach US$77 million in 2030.”

Market Dynamics

Introduction

In the aerospace & defense industry, thermoset compounds play a critical role in meeting the industry’s uncompromising performance standards. Their unique blend of lightweight strength, dimensional stability, heat resistance, flame retardancy, and long-term fatigue durability makes them highly suitable for both structural and non-structural applications exposed to harsh operating conditions. These compounds can retain mechanical and thermal integrity in high-load and high-stress environments, while also offering the design flexibility of net-shape molding for complex geometries.

Equally important, thermoset compounds comply with stringent FST (Flame, Smoke, and Toxicity) regulations, allowing their safe use across primary and secondary aircraft and defense system components. In practice, this means everything from advanced military vehicles, UAVs, and next-generation aircraft platforms to interior applications such as panels, fairings, and housings benefit from their precision moldability and insulation properties. On the structural side, parts like clips, brackets, wing ribs, and door frame linings rely on their strength-to-weight advantage and resistance to fatigue, making thermoset compounds a material of choice as the industry continues to push for lighter, safer, and more efficient designs.

Recent Market JVs and Acquisitions:

The aerospace & defense thermoset compounds market has undergone M&A and partnerships worldwide to expand capacities, diversify portfolios, expand market reach, and drive technological innovation:

• In 2020, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation acquired c-m-p GmbH and launched an SMC facility in Italy, strengthening its carbon fiber composite presence across key European mobility markets.
• In 2018, LyondellBasell acquired A. Schulman, Inc., a leading global supplier of high-performance plastic compounds, composites, and powders. The acquisition more than doubles its existing compounding business and broadens the reach into growing, high-margin end markets such as automotive, construction, electrical & electronics, and aerospace & defense industries.

Market Segments' Analysis

By Industry Type

“Aircraft structures are anticipated to remain the dominant application of the aerospace & defense thermoset compounds market during the forecast period.”

The market is segmented into aircraft structures, radomes, satellite communication dishes, interior components, UAVs, aircraft seats, missile and rocket casing, body armor and protective gear, firearms, military vehicle structural components, and military vehicle armor systems. Aircraft structures are the largest segment in the aerospace & defense thermoset compounds market, fuelled by the growing demand for lightweight and high-strength components. It is used in parts such as secondary parts like clips, brackets, panels, and fairings, which profit from SMC/BMC's improved moldability, dimensional stability, and FST compliance. Since thermoset compounds allow for RF transparency and aerodynamic shaping for modern radar systems, supersonic jets, and next-generation UAVs, radomes make up the second-largest segment.

By Product Type

“Bulk Molding Compound (BMC) is expected to lead the aerospace & defense thermoset compounds market over the years.”

Based on the product type, the market is segmented into sheet molding compound (SMC) and bulk molding compound BMC. Bulk Molding Compounds (BMC) dominate the market with uniform strength, low shrinkage, and high-flow material essential for complex geometries. BMC allows precise manufacturing of brackets, fasteners, radomes, and cable clamps, particularly in avionics and UAV technology, due to its low viscosity and superior mold fill ability. SMC closely follows the BMC due to its wide usage in high-volume production parts.

By Fiber Type

“Carbon fiber is expected to hold a major market share of the aerospace & defense thermoset compounds during the forecast period.”

The market is segmented into glass fiber and carbon fiber. Carbon fiber leads the market in terms of its unparalleled strength-to-weight ratio and thermal capabilities, which are best suited to both structural and non-structural aerospace applications. Moreover, their moldability into intricate shapes, fatigue resistance, and compatibility with EMI shielding enable key components such as access panels, winglets, and structural brackets in advanced military aircraft and defense systems.

By Resin Type

“Epoxy resin is expected to hold a dominant market share of the market.”

The market is segmented into polyester, epoxy, and other resins. Epoxy resin prevails in the market due to its superior mechanical and thermal performance, which is crucial in critical applications. Epoxy resin has high transition temperatures, superior toughness, better fatigue and environmental resistance, and offers sustained structural integrity when subjected to cyclic loads, high temperature, and exposure to aggressive chemicals. Beyond epoxy's inherent performance, aerospace certification and production considerations cement the dominance.

Regional Analysis

“North America is likely to continue as the largest market for aerospace & defense thermoset compounds.”

North America dominates the market with the existence of the likes of Boeing and Lockheed Martin, a high defense budget, and technological advancements from top compounders, including Hexcel and IDI.

Europe takes the second-largest position with the influence of top OEMs like Airbus and BAE Systems, as well as regulatory pressures driving sustainability. Major compounders such as Polynt, Menzolit, and Toray Advanced Composites provide environmentally balanced, performance-oriented thermoset materials for aerospace & defense use.

Key Players

The market is moderately concentrated, with more than 50 players across the region. Most of the major players compete in some of the governing factors, including price, service offerings, and regional presence, etc. The following are the key players in the aerospace & defense thermoset compounds market. Some of the major players provide a complete range of services.

Here is the list of the Top Players (Based on Dominance)

• Hexcel
• LyondellBasell
• IDI Composites International
• Polynt Group
• Toray Advanced Composites
• Molding Products LLC

Note: The above list does not necessarily include all the top players in the market.

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Report Features

This report provides market intelligence most comprehensively. The report structure has been kept so 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, Service 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 aerospace & defense thermoset compounds market is segmented into the following categories.

Aerospace & Defense Thermoset Compounds Market, by Application

• Aircraft Structures (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Radomes (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Satellite Communication Dishes (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Interior Components (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• UAVs (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Aircraft Seats (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Missile and Rocket Casing (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Body Armor and Protective Gear (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Firearms (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Military Vehicle Structural Components (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Military Vehicle Armor Systems (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)

Aerospace & Defense Thermoset Compounds Market, by Product

• SMC (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• BMC (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)

Aerospace & Defense Thermoset Compounds Market, by Fiber

• Glass Fiber (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Carbon Fiber (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)

Aerospace & Defense Thermoset Compounds Market, by Resin

• Polyester (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Epoxy (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Other Resins (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)

Aerospace & Defense Thermoset Compounds Market, by Region

• North America (Country Analysis: The USA, Canada, and Mexico)
• Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, The UK, Russia, and the Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan, China, India, and the Rest of Asia-Pacific)
• Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil, Argentina, and Others)

Research Methodology

• This strategic assessment report from Stratview Research provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s aerospace & defense thermoset compounds market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period. 
• The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner to provide a panoramic view of the market.
• The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for market participants and investors in identifying the low-hanging fruit available in the market and formulating 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 10 detailed primary interviews with market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.

Customization Options

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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: Service portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances

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