Armor Materials Global Market Report 2025

Armor materials encompass a diverse array of substances utilized in crafting various forms of protective gear or body armor. These materials serve the purpose of creating protective clothing capable of deflecting or absorbing the impact of projectiles or weapons directed at the wearer.

Primary categories of armor materials include metals and alloys, composites, para-aramid fiber, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), fiberglass, and other specialized substances. Metals are opaque, lustrous elements that conduct heat and electricity efficiently, while alloys consist of metallic compounds comprising two or more different elements. These materials are employed in fabricating products such as vests, helmets, and other protective gear designed for different protection levels, such as II, IIa, III, IIIa, and IV. They find applications in vehicle armor, aerospace, body armor for defense, law enforcement, security personnel, and civilian use across various sectors such as civil and marine defense.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp increase in U.S. tariffs and resulting trade disputes in spring 2025 are significantly affecting the aerospace and defense sector. Prices for key materials such as titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics primarily sourced from international suppliers have surged. Defense contractors, constrained by fixed-price government contracts, are forced to absorb these rising costs. Meanwhile, commercial aerospace companies are encountering resistance from airlines over increased aircraft prices. In addition, customs delays are disrupting already tight production timelines for jets and satellites. In response, the industry is stockpiling essential materials, pursuing import waivers for defense-related goods, and working with allied nations to diversify supply chains.

The armor materials market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides armor materials market statistics, including the armor materials industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an armor materials market share, detailed armor materials market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the armor materials industry. This armor materials market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The armor materials market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $12.93 billion in 2024 to $13.73 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to military conflict and warfare, focus on soldier safety, regulatory standards and requirements, strategic geopolitical shifts, and protection for vehicles and equipment.

The armor materials market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $17.33 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing defense expenditure, rising security threats, focus on soldier protection, shift towards urban warfare, and military modernization programs. Major trends in the forecast period include R&D in material science, sustainability and environmental impact, integration of sensor technologies, evolving threat landscape, and adoption of additive manufacturing.

The forecast of 6.0% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.2% from the previous estimate for this market.This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US through supply chain disruptions for ceramic composite plates, sourced from key regions such as the Netherlands and South Korea, which could lead to increased costs for military vehicle protection.The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The growing terrorist threat is expected to drive the expansion of the armor material market in the future. A terrorist threat refers to violent actions that endanger others, demonstrating a disregard for the harm caused. High-strength armor materials are designed to protect wearers from projectiles such as knives, bullets, and shell fragments during terrorist attacks or other dangerous situations. As terrorist threats rise, the demand for armor materials is expected to increase. For instance, in August 2024, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), an Australia-based non-profit organization, reported that Australia's terrorism threat level had been raised to 'probable,' indicating a risk of over 50% for an attack within the next year. As a result, the escalating terrorist threat is fueling the growth of the armor material market.

The rise in geopolitical tensions is expected to drive the growth of the armor materials market in the future. Geopolitical tensions involve political conflicts, rivalries, or disputes between nations or regions, often over issues like territory, resources, power, or ideology. Such tensions typically lead to increased defense spending as countries allocate more resources to enhance security. This additional funding enables the development and acquisition of advanced defense technologies, including innovative armor materials. Governments may also invest in research and development to produce materials that offer better protection against evolving threats. For instance, in August 2024, the World Economic Forum reported that 83% of respondents identified geopolitical tensions as the primary risk to global economic growth, surpassing concerns about inflation and monetary tightening, which were cited by 73%. Looking further ahead, 86% of participants highlighted increasing geopolitical fragmentation and protectionism as the most significant long-term threat. As a result, growing geopolitical tensions are fueling the expansion of the armor materials market.

A dominant trend in the armor materials market revolves around product innovation. Key players in this sector concentrate on pioneering new products to bolster their market presence. Notably, in April 2023, DuPont, a US-based provider of technology-based materials, unveiled Kevlar EXO, a cutting-edge aramid fiber. Distinguished by its exceptional ballistic performance without compromising weight, Kevlar EXO enables the creation of top-tier, lightweight soft armor solutions. Its intrinsic resistance to heat and flame up to 500°C (932°F) positions it as a significant advancement in aramid fiber technology, catering to applications necessitating high-level protection and performance in demanding circumstances.

Prominent companies within the armor materials market are actively engaged in developing new unidirectional materials, aiming to gain a competitive advantage. Unidirectional materials, often composed of fibers predominantly oriented in a single direction, provide substantial strength and stiffness along a specific axis. For example, in October 2023, Dyneema, under Avient Corporation, introduced SB301, its third-generation UD material, emphasizing sustainability in ballistic vests. Constructed with a 0-90 orientation in unidirectional fabrics, this bio-based material achieves a 90% reduction in carbon footprint while enhancing performance by 15%-20% or reducing weight by 20%. The evolution in fiber technology significantly enhances ballistic stopping power, addressing critical protection needs across diverse operational scenarios. Dyneema SB301 adheres to the Berry Amendment standards, meeting requirements for law enforcement vests in the US market.

In March 2023, Iten Defense LLC, a prominent US manufacturer specializing in composite armor products, completed the acquisition of Transparent Armor Systems (TAS) for an undisclosed sum. This strategic move is expected to significantly expand Iten Defense's solution portfolio by incorporating transparent armor alongside its existing range of composite armor offerings. These additions are targeted towards tactical vehicles, fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, and marine vessels. Transparent Armor Systems, headquartered in the UAE, is recognized for its expertise in producing certified ballistic glass and frame systems tailored for defense, automotive, and architectural applications.

Major companies operating in the armor materials market include DuPont de Nemours Inc., Honeywell International Inc., 3M Company, Saab AB, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A., Teijin Aramid B.V., Koninklijke Ten Cate BV., CeramTec GmbH, CoorsTek Inc., Morgan Advanced Materials plc, The Safariland Group LLC, PPG Industries Inc., NP Aerospace Ltd., Ballistic Body Armour Ltd., Pacific Safety Products Inc., ATI CeramTec GmbH, Ceradyne Inc., Allegheny Technologies Incorporated, AGY Holding Corp., White Horse Research and Development Inc., Megiddo Global LLC, Hard Shell U.S., ArmorCo Advanced Armoring Products Inc., Tata Steel Ltd., Armorup LP, Tex Tech Industries Inc., SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp., SafeGuard Armor Ltd., Schunk Carbon Technology LLC, Aloca Inc.

North America was the largest region in the armor materials market in 2024. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global armor materials market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the armor materials market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the armor materials market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

The armor materials market consists of sales of ceramics, kevlar, steel, and polyethylene (PE). Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Armor Materials Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses on armor materials market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for armor materials? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The armor materials market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include:

The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.

• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Material Type: Metals And Alloys; Composites; Para-Aramid Fiber; UHMWPE (Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene); Fiberglass; Other Materials
• 2) By Product Type: Vest; Helmets; Other Products
• 3) By Protection: Level II; Level IIA; Level III; Level IIIA; Level IV
• 4) By Application: Vehicle Armor; Aerospace Armor; Body Armor; Civil Armor; Marine Armor
• 5) By End-User: Defense; Law Enforcement And Security Personnel; Civilians
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Metals And Alloys: Steel Alloys; Aluminum Alloys; Titanium Alloys
• 2) By Composites: Ceramic Composites; Carbon Fiber Composites; Hybrid Composites
• 3) By Para-Aramid Fiber: Kevlar; Twaron; Other Para-Aramid Variants
• 4) By UHMWPE: Sheet UHMWPE; Fiber UHMWPE; UHMWPE Composites
• 5) By Fiberglass: E-Glass Fiberglass; S-Glass Fiberglass; Specialty Fiberglass Reinforcements
• 6) By Other Materials: Polycarbonate; Rubberized Materials; Organic Fiber Materials
• Companies Mentioned: DuPont de Nemours Inc.; Honeywell International Inc.; 3M Company; Saab AB; Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A.; Teijin Aramid B.V.; Koninklijke Ten Cate BV.; CeramTec GmbH; CoorsTek Inc.; Morgan Advanced Materials plc; The Safariland Group LLC; PPG Industries Inc.; NP Aerospace Ltd.; Ballistic Body Armour Ltd.; Pacific Safety Products Inc.; ATI CeramTec GmbH; Ceradyne Inc.; Allegheny Technologies Incorporated; AGY Holding Corp.; White Horse Research and Development Inc.; Megiddo Global LLC; Hard Shell U.S.; ArmorCo Advanced Armoring Products Inc.; Tata Steel Ltd.; Armorup LP; Tex Tech Industries Inc.; SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp.; SafeGuard Armor Ltd.; Schunk Carbon Technology LLC; Aloca Inc.
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
• Delivery Format: PDF, Word and Excel Data Dashboard.