Sports Composites - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026 - 2031)

According to Mordor Intelligence, the sports composites market size is expected to grow from 1.05 Million tons in 2025 to 1.09 Million tons in 2026 and is forecast to reach 1.33 Million tons by 2031 at 4.05% CAGR over 2026-2031.

This report Segments the Industry by Type (Carbon-Fibre Reinforced, Glass-Fibre Reinforced, and Other Types), Resin Type (Epoxy, Polyurethane, and Other Resin Types), Manufacturing Process (Prepreg Lay-Up, Resin Transfer Molding, Filament Winding, and More), Application (Golf Shafts, Hockey Sticks, Skis and Snowboards, and More) and Geography (Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, and More).

Global Sports Composites Market Trends and Insights

Rising adoption of automated fiber placement for high-end bicycles

Automated fiber placement systems are gaining traction among European frame builders as equipment prices fall and programming tools mature. The technology delivers precise tow placement, cuts scrap rates by 30% and trims lay-up time by roughly 40% compared with hand lay-up. Resulting frames weigh 15-20% less yet meet stringent stiffness benchmarks, allowing brands to tailor ride characteristics for professional racers and demanding enthusiasts. Production repeatability also opens the door to larger batch runs without compromising custom geometries, thereby supporting profitable mid-volume supply contracts across Europe and North America. Wider AFP integration is expected to ripple into other tubular products, including hockey sticks and golf shafts, as machine utilization rates rise and unit costs continue to decline.

Increasing demand for lightweight and high-performance equipment

Across disciplines, athletes now rely on composite gear to secure marginal gains that translate into podium finishes. Carbon-fiber tennis rackets generate up to 30% higher rebound power while dampening frame vibration by 10%, helping players maintain control during extended rallies. In cycling, carbon frames shave up to 40% weight relative to aluminum while preserving torsional rigidity-a combination that improves acceleration on climbs and sprints. Mainstream consumers are adopting these technologies as retail prices drop, widening the customer base for composite goods. Manufacturers are therefore scaling thermoplastic molding and integrating graphene or nanofillers to deliver lighter, tougher and more sustainable product lines without sacrificing profit margins.

High volatility in PAN-based carbon-fiber feedstock prices

PAN precursor accounts for roughly half of finished carbon-fiber cost, leaving processors exposed to price swings linked to acrylonitrile and energy inputs. Spot quotations surged during 2024 and early 2025, compressing margins for mid-range sporting goods and deterring some bicycle OEMs from all-carbon frame catalogs. Research at the University of Limerick indicates microwave-assisted stabilization and carbonization could cut energy use by 70%, laying groundwork for cost relief, yet commercial roll-out remains two to three years away. In the interim, producers explore lignin-based precursors and scale recycled fiber blends to hedge price risk, but qualification cycles slow uptake in performance-critical gear.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

1. Government-backed cycling infrastructure boom in Asia
2. Expanding golf participation
3. Limited end-of-life recycling ecosystem for multi-material sports gear

For complete list of drivers and restraints, kindly check the Table Of Contents.

Segment Analysis

Glass-fibre composites retained a dominant position, equal to 95.55% of the sports composites market in 2025. The material's low cost and adequate mechanical profile suit entry-level skis, hockey sticks and protective shells, which depend on volume throughput and price competitiveness. Nevertheless, carbon-fibre output is projected to climb at a 9.38% CAGR, more than twice the overall sports composites market pace, as manufacturers exploit microwave stabilization, tow spreading and recycled fiber feeds to rein in cost. The sports composites market size tied to carbon-fibre goods is therefore set to rise sharply, propelled by bicycles, golf shafts and professional racket frames where weight savings justify premium pricing.

At application level, the sports composites market shows expanding dual-material architectures that blend carbon skins with glass core plies to balance cost and performance. Broader familiarity with carbon filament winding and automated tape placement shortens development cycles for new tubular products, enabling brands to unveil differentiated road and gravel bike line-ups each season. Niche fibers-aramid for impact resistance and bio-derived reinforcements such as algae-based carbon-remain experimental but attract research grants targeting reduced embodied carbon.

Epoxy platforms comprised 39.55% of 2025 volume, reflecting their leading stiffness retention, low shrinkage and strong fiber bonding. The segment's 5.12% projected CAGR keeps it ahead of polyurethane and polyester formulations due to growing demand for high-temperature-capable resins in thermoplastic fusion bonding. Developers are rolling out self-healing epoxy matrices and antibacterial additives for racket handles and helmet liners, broadening the property palette without major retooling. Polyurethane remains prominent in vibration-critical boards and pads, while vinyl ester holds share in marine-exposed surf and paddle gear where hydrolysis resistance is prized.

Future growth stems from fast-curing hot-melt epoxies compatible with high-speed compression presses. These chemistries slash cycle times, making automated short-run production financially viable for mid-market brands. Consequently, epoxy's slice of the sports composites market size is expected to widen as processing productivity climbs and circularity initiatives repurpose manufacturing scrap into pre-preg stock.

Complete Report Scope:

• By Type
  • Carbon-Fibre Reinforced
  • Glass-Fibre Reinforced
  • Other Types
• By Resin Type
  • Epoxy
  • Polyurethane
  • Other Resin types
• By Manufacturing Process
  • Prepreg Lay-up
  • Resin Transfer Molding
  • Filament Winding
  • Pultrusion
  • Compression Molding
  • Other Processes
• By Application
  • Golf Shafts
  • Hockey Sticks
  • Rackets
  • Bicycles
  • Skis and Snowboards
  • Other Applications
• By Geography
  • Asia-Pacific
    • China
    • Japan
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  • North America
    • United States
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • United Kingdom
    • France
    • Italy
    • Rest of Europe
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Rest of South America
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • South Africa
    • Rest of Middle East and Africa

Geography Analysis

Asia-Pacific dominated 2025 with 55.40% of global volume. Producer scale, integrated fiber supply, and escalating domestic demand position the region as the key manufacturing and consumption hub. Chinese export data shows sporting goods shipments of CNY 7 billion (USD 992 million) in the first seven months of 2024, up 15.41% year-on-year. Regional policies that encourage urban cycling, winter-sport participation, and green material adoption underpin a forecast 4.64% CAGR to 2031. The sports composites market benefits from favorable trade terms under RCEP, helping Chinese, Japanese, and South Korean brands penetrate ASEAN and Oceania retail channels.

North America follows, supported by high discretionary spending on premium bicycles, golf sets, and winter gear. Domestic sustainability programs accelerate circular-economy pilots that recover carbon fiber from broken rackets and skis, positioning the region as a blueprint for end-of-life solutions. Yet tariff hikes on imported composite bicycles add cost pressures, encouraging some brands to onshore frame production or source from tariff-exempt partners to protect pricing.

Europe maintains a robust base of high-end ski, yacht, and cycling manufacturers who leverage precision AFP and RTM processes. Regional research clusters refine bio-based epoxy and recyclable thermoplastic composites, helping brands cut cradle-to-grave emissions. Development funding and stringent eco-design rules push firms to adopt closed-loop systems, giving European producers an early-mover advantage in circular product portfolios. South America, the Middle East, and Africa remain emerging but promising, with sports participation and infrastructure builds spawning new demand nodes for composite products.

1. Amer Sports
2. ARRIS Composites, Inc
3. Carbitex
4. Celanese Corporation
5. Dexcraft
6. EPSILON Composite
7. Exel Composites
8. Gurit Services AG
9. Head
10. Hexcel Corporation
11. Mitsubishi Chemical Carbon Fiber and Composites, Inc.
12. Owens Corning
13. Rock West Composites, Inc
14. Rockman
15. SCOTT Sports SA
16. SGL Carbon
17. SKIS ROSSIGNOL SAS
18. Solvay
19. TEIJIN LIMITED
20. Topgolf Callaway Brands
21. Topkey
22. TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support