Aerospace Composites Market by Fiber Type (Glass, Carbon, Ceramic), Matrix Type (Polymer, Metal, Ceramic), End-use Industry (Commercial Aircraft, Business & General Aviation Aircraft, Military Aircraft, Civil Helicopter), & Region for 2026-2032

Aerospace Composites Market Valuation - 2026-2032

The growing need for lightweight, fuel-efficient aircraft, which is necessary to lower operating costs and comply with strict environmental requirements, is propelling the aerospace composites market's significant expansion. Because aerospace composites have higher strength-to-weight ratios than traditional materials, they are increasingly used in the design and manufacture of modern aircraft, allowing for increased fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions. According to the analyst from Verified Market Research, the aerospace composites market is estimated to reach a valuation of USD 70.7 Billion over the forecast subjugating around USD 31.13 Billion valued in 2024.

The development of more robust and effective components for a range of uses in both military and commercial aircraft is made possible by technological developments in composite materials, which further reinforce the market growth. It enables the market to grow at a CAGR of 10.80% from 2026 to 2032.

Aerospace Composites Market: Definition/ Overview

Aerospace composites are advanced materials composed of two or more constituents, often high-strength fibers such as carbon, glass, or aramid with a polymer matrix. This combination produces materials with high strength-to-weight ratios, making them ideal for aerospace applications. Aerospace composites are primarily used for structural components in commercial and military aircraft, including wings, fuselage sections, and internal frames, as well as spacecraft and helicopters. Their lightweight design improves fuel efficiency and minimizes carbon emissions, which aligns with the aviation industry's goals for sustainability and operational cost reduction.

What are the Factors that Surge the Demand for the Aerospace Composites Market?

The aviation industry's need for more fuel-efficient aircraft is accelerating the use of lightweight composite materials. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), increasing fuel efficiency by 1.5% each year could save CO2 emissions by 14.3 million tons by 2030. The use of composite materials in modern airplanes can cut weight by up to 20% when compared to traditional aluminum structures, boosting fuel efficiency and propelling the aerospace composites market forward.

The aerospace composites market is growing due to increased worldwide air traffic and the resulting need for new aircraft. According to Boeing's Commercial Market Outlook 2021-2040, the demand for 43,610 new commercial airplanes over the next 20 years will be worth USD 7.2 Trillion. With composite materials accounting for up to 50% of the structural weight of modern airplanes such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, the increase in aircraft production directly correlates with rising demand for aerospace composites.

Furthermore, the expanding space sector and increased satellite launches are driving up demand for advanced composite materials. According to the Satellite Industry Association, the global space economy was USD 366 Billion in 2019, with a projected increase to more than USD 1 Trillion by 2040. Composite materials are important in spacecraft and satellite construction because of their high strength-to-weight ratio and durability in harsh temperatures. This increasing market segment makes a substantial contribution to the overall expansion of the aerospace composites market.

What Factors Hinder the Growth of the Aerospace Composites Market?

The high production costs of aerospace composites are a significant constraint. The manufacturing procedures for these materials are complex and need specialized equipment and trained staff, resulting in higher costs as compared to typical materials such as metals. This cost barrier inhibits composite adoption, particularly among smaller firms or those operating on a tight budget, influencing overall market growth and the availability of sophisticated composite materials in the aerospace industry.

Furthermore, the recycling issues connected with aerospace composites provide a significant constraint. Unlike metals, which can be easily recycled, composite materials require complex recycling techniques that are not yet generally adopted. Current methods are costly and result in lower-quality recycled goods, prompting environmental concerns regarding waste management in the aerospace industry. As sustainability becomes more essential, the challenge of recycling composites restricts their long-term viability and acceptance in the market.

Category-Wise Acumens

How Do the Superior Performance Characteristics of Carbon Fiber Contribute the Market Growth?

According to VMR analysis, the carbon fiber segment is estimated to hold the largest market share during the forecast period. Carbon fiber composites have extremely high tensile strength, stiffness, and lightweight qualities, making them excellent for crucial aerospace applications. This high strength-to-weight ratio enables aircraft makers to lower total weight, hence improving fuel efficiency and performance. As airlines prioritize operational efficiency and sustainability, demand for carbon fiber composites grows, cementing their market dominance.

With growing fuel prices and rigorous environmental requirements, automobile manufacturers are driven to use materials that help to reduce weight and improve aerodynamics. Carbon fiber composites allow for considerable weight reductions of up to 20% compared to standard materials such as aluminum, resulting in lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions. This alignment with industry sustainability aims helps to drive the carbon fiber segment's growth.

Furthermore, advances in manufacturing technology have increased the practicality of using carbon fiber in aerospace applications. Automated fiber placement and improved resin systems have expedited manufacturing processes, enabling the manufacture of complicated forms and larger components. These technological developments not only lower production costs but also broaden the spectrum of carbon fiber applications in aircraft design, cementing its position as the preferred material for modern aerospace manufacturers.

How do Commercial Aircrafts Propel the Growth of the Aerospace Composites Market?

The commercial aircraft segment is estimated to dominate the aerospace composites market during the forecast period due to the growing desire for fuel efficiency. As airlines face rising fuel prices and strict environmental laws, there is a strong demand for lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft. Aerospace composites dramatically reduce aircraft weight, increasing fuel efficiency and cutting operational costs, making them indispensable in modern commercial aviation.

The continued growth of global air travel, particularly in emerging economies, needs the development of new commercial aircraft. This surge in demand is directly related to the rising use of aerospace composites to meet performance criteria and improve aircraft design, ensuring their competitiveness in a rapidly evolving industry.

Furthermore, technological developments in composite materials help to maintain commercial aircraft's dominance. Manufacturing process innovations and sophisticated composite material development have increased performance attributes such as strength, durability, and environmental resistance. These developments allow manufacturers to incorporate composites into crucial aircraft components, hence strengthening their position in commercial aviation.

Country/Region-wise Acumens

How Does the Strong Presence of Major Aerospace Manufacturers Influence the Market Growth in North America?

According to VMR analyst, North America is estimated to dominate the aerospace composites market during the forecast period. North America, particularly the United States, is home to some of the world's major aerospace manufacturers, which drives up demand for composite materials. According to the Aerospace Industries Association, the U.S. aerospace and defense industry earned USD 909 Billion in sales revenue in 2019, with commercial aerospace accounting for USD 257 Billion. This strong industry presence, combined with the rising usage of composites in modern aircraft (up to 50% by weight in some models), adds greatly to the region's leadership in the aerospace composites market.

Furthermore, the booming space sector in North America, especially the United States, is boosting demand for advanced composite materials. According to the Space Foundation's "The Space Report 2021 Q2," the global space economy was worth USD 447 Billion in 2020, with the United States accounting for more than 55% of this total. According to the report, the U.S. government spent $48 billion on space in 2020 alone. This burgeoning space industry, which includes both government projects and private sector participation (e.g., SpaceX, Blue Origin), is a major driver of high-performance composite materials used in spacecraft, launch vehicles, and satellites.

What Factors Contribute to the Potential Opportunities in the Asia Pacific Region?

The Asia Pacific region is estimated to exhibit the highest growth within the aerospace composites market during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region is experiencing a major growth in defense spending, with an emphasis on updating military aircraft fleets. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), military spending in Asia and Oceania reached USD 528 Billion in 2020, up 2.5% from 2019. Countries such as India, Japan, and South Korea are investing in modern military aircraft made primarily from composite materials. For example, India's defense budget for 2021-2022 set aside around $18.5 billion for military modernization, which included the purchase of new aircraft. This trend is increasing demand for high-performance aircraft composites in the defense industry throughout Asia Pacific.

Furthermore, many Asia Pacific countries are spending extensively on the development of their domestic aerospace industry, which is driving up demand for advanced materials like composites. For example, China's Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) is building the C919 narrow-body aircraft, which makes substantial use of composite materials. COMAC claims to have received over 1,000 orders for the C919 as of 2021. This push for indigenous aircraft production in the region is boosting the local aerospace composites market.

Competitive Landscape

The aerospace composites market has a semi-consolidated competitive landscape, with a few big players dominating and several smaller enterprises contributing to innovation and niche applications. The market is being pushed by technical breakthroughs that enable the creation of high-performance materials, which are critical for satisfying the growing need for fuel efficiency and sustainability in aviation.

Some of the prominent players operating in the aerospace composites market include:

Materion Corporation

Royal Ten Cate

Hexcel Corporation

Owen Corning

Solvay

Teijin

SGL Group

Mitsubishi Rayon Co.

Renegade Materials Corporation

Toray Industries

Latest Developments

In July 2023, a USD 800,000 Phase II Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract was awarded to AnalySwift LLC, a US-based company, by NASA for the development of a Design tool for Advanced Tailorable Composites (DATC), with a targeted launch set for 2025.

In January 2020, plans were announced by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, a Japanese-headquartered manufacturer of various chemicals & materials, to acquire c-m-p GmbH, a Germany-based manufacturer of Carbon Fiber Prepreg. This acquisition is anticipated to bolster the company's position in the carbon fiber composites market.

Aerospace Composites Market, By Category

• Fiber Type:
• Glass Fiber
• Carbon Fiber
• Ceramic Fiber
• Others
• Matrix Type:
• Polymer Matrix Composite
• Metal Matrix Composite
• Ceramic Matrix Composite
• End-User Industry:
• Commercial Aircraft
• Business and General Aviation Aircraft
• Military Aircraft
• Civil Helicopter
• Others
• Region:
• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa