U.S. demand for composites will show strong growth to 2016: report

Demand in the U.S. for high performance composites is forecast to rise almost 15 per cent per year to US$10.2 billion in 2016, according to a new study by market research firm The Freedonia Group.

Defined in the study as polymer resins reinforced with advanced fibre materials, the “High Performance Composites” report examines the U.S. market for high performance composites by fibre (carbon, aramid, S-glass), market (aerospace, industrial and automotive, defense and safety, energy, consumer, construction), and resin (epoxy, thermoplastics, polyester, phenolics).

“High performance composite demand will be fueled by tremendous growth in the commercial airliner market as well as emerging opportunities in applications such as wind turbines and pressure vessels,” the report stated. “However, the high cost and labor-intensive production of advanced composites compared to competitive materials will prevent these materials from penetrating high volume and price-sensitive markets.”

In the aerospace market, the report said, the leading outlet for high performance composites, the production ramp up of the Boeing 787 DREAMLINER, which has more than 50 per cent composite content, will drive the bulk of the increases in high performance composite demand. Rising production of other composite-intensive airliners, such as the Airbus A380 and A350 XWB, will also benefit demand.

For more information on the report, click on this link.

On a related note, composites industry organization JEC Americas has announced the date and location of its JEC Americas 2012 Composites Show & Conference: November 7-9, in Boston, Mass. For more on the show, click on this link.