Aerospace Composite Market Research, 2034
The global aerospace composite market size was valued at $22.2 billion in 2024, and is projected to reach $64.4 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 11.3% from 2025 to 2034.
Key Takeaways:
- Quantitative information mentioned in the global aerospace composite industry includes the market numbers in terms of value ($billion) and volume (tons) concerning different segments, annual growth rate, CAGR (2025-34), and growth analysis.
- The study is expected to contain qualitative information such as the market dynamics (drivers, restraints, opportunities), Porter’s Five Force Analysis, key regulations across the country, and value chain analysis.
- A few companies, including Evonik Industries AG, Hexcel Corporation, Teijin Limited, DuPont, Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials Inc, Solvay, SGL Carbon, Toray Industries, Inc., Copps Industries Inc, and Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. hold a large proportion of the Global aerospace composites market.
- This report makes it easier for existing market players and new entrants to the global aerospace composite market share to plan their strategies and understand the dynamics of the industry, which helps them make better decisions.
Introduction
Aerospace composites refer to advanced materials that are engineered by combining two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties. These materials work together to create a composite with enhanced performance characteristics, often surpassing those of individual components. In aerospace composites, a crucial component is the matrix, which binds and supports together the reinforcement fibers. This essential element provides structural support and plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the overall composite structure. The matrix materials commonly used in aerospace applications encompass polymers, metals, and ceramics. Reinforcement fibers play a crucial role in composite materials, commonly crafted from carbon fibers, glass fibers, or aramid fibers. These diverse materials bring distinct qualities to the composite, allowing for the creation of specialized properties ideal for the challenging conditions found in aerospace applications.
Market Dynamics
The growing demand for commercial aircraft is expected to drive the growth of aerospace composites market. Original aerospace equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are incorporating higher volumes of advanced composite materials in aircraft design and production. Aircraft such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 XWB already feature over 50% composite content by weight, thanks to their superior strength-to-weight ratio, fatigue resistance, and ability to reduce overall fuel consumption. These composite-rich aircraft are especially attractive to airlines looking to optimize operating efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in line with increasingly stringent environmental regulations. In January 2025, Hexcel at Aero India, launched new carbon fibers (HexTow® HM63, IM9 24K) and rapid OOA prepregs (HexPly® M51, M56), plus HiTape® automation tech for large composite structures.
However, high production and material costs is expected to hamper the growth of aerospace composites market. Advanced aerospace-grade composites, particularly carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP), come with steep material prices. Aerospace-quality carbon fiber often costs $20–30 per kilogram, drastically higher than aluminum’s $2–3/kg a near 10x premium. Even industrial-grade carbon fiber, cheaper at around $7–15/kg, remains significantly costlier than conventional metals. The manufacturing process adds further cost burdens. Producing PAN-based carbon fiber requires energy-intensive stabilization and carbonization steps above 1,200‐¯°C, with energy costs comprising up to 40% of final material price. The expensive autoclave curing stage uses up to 50‐¯kWh per kg, roughly the energy used to smelt 5‐¯kg of aluminum, pushing up production costs. All these factors are expected to hamper the growth of aerospace composites market during the forecast period.
The development of next-generation aircraft particularly electric, hybrid-electric, and hydrogen-powered models is creating a significant opportunity for the aerospace composites market. These aircraft are being designed with a strong emphasis on fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and noise reduction. To achieve these goals, manufacturers are increasingly turning to advanced composite materials, which offer an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and enhanced performance characteristics compared to traditional metals like aluminum and steel. In July 2024, Airbus commenced the final assembly of the A321XLR aircraft in Hamburg. Boeing and Airbus both are aiming to ramp up production to 100 next-generation jets per month, leveraging advanced composite materials and thermoplastics integrated into automated robotic assembly lines.
Segment Overview
The aerospace composite market is segmented into fiber type, manufacturing process, aircraft, material type, application, and region. On the basis of fiber type, the market is classified into carbon fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber, and others. As per manufacturing process, the market is divided into ATL or AFP, filament winding, resin transfer molding, hand layup, and others. On the basis of aircraft, the market is categorized into commercial aircraft, business & general aviation, civil helicopter, and others. Based on material type, the market is categorized into epoxy resins, glycidylamines, curing agents, hardeners, phenolic, thermoplastic, and others. Depending on application, the market is categorized into interior and exterior. Region-wise, the market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.
North America is projected to be the most lucrative segment during the forecast period. The adoption of aerospace composite in North America is driven by the pursuit of fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and improved performance in commercial and military aerospace sectors. Major aerospace companies in the region invest heavily in research and development to further advance the use of composites in aviation and space exploration.
The U.S. is a global leader in aerospace technology and innovation, and it heavily relies on aerospace composites. The Boeing Company, one of the world’s largest aerospace manufacturers, extensively uses composites in its commercial aircraft, including the Boeing 785, which features a significant proportion of composite materials in its construction. Canada has a strong aerospace industry, with companies like Bombardier contributing to the global aerospace market. Bombardier's C Series aircraft incorporates a high percentage of composite materials, contributing to its fuel efficiency and overall performance.
The aerospace industry in North America embraces automated manufacturing technologies for aerospace composites. Automated processes such as automated fiber placement and resin transfer molding enhance the efficiency of production, ensuring consistency and precision in the fabrication of composite components. This automation contributes to reducing costs and increasing the scalability of composite manufacturing.
Fiber segment is expected to dominate the aerospace composite market during the analysis period. In commercial and military aircraft, fiber composites are extensively used in primary and secondary structural components, such as fuselage sections, wing structures, vertical and horizontal stabilizers, and control surfaces. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350, for example, use composites for more than 50% of their structural weight. This high usage is driven by the need to improve aerodynamic efficiency and reduce maintenance frequency, as composite materials are less susceptible to fatigue and corrosion compared to metals. In the space sector, fiber composites are employed in the construction of satellite structures, launch vehicle components, and payload fairings. The lightweight nature of composites is advantageous in space missions, where launch weight directly influences the cost. Moreover, composites perform well in extreme environments, offering thermal stability and resistance to space radiation
The ATL or AFP segment held the largest market share in 2024. Automated Tape Laying (ATL) or Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) are advanced manufacturing techniques that play a crucial role in the aerospace industry, particularly in the fabrication of composite materials. In aerospace applications, Advanced Tape Layup (ATL) is a commonly employed method for crafting lightweight and robust components like wings, fuselage sections, and structural elements. This technique is highly valued in aircraft design due to its capacity to create strong structures with reduced weight, a crucial factor for enhancing fuel efficiency and overall performance.
AFP finds applications in the aerospace industry for manufacturing components such as aircraft skins, wing panels, and other structural elements. Its ability to create tailored fiber orientations makes it particularly valuable in optimizing the structural integrity and performance of these components. ATL is extensively utilized in aerospace for manufacturing components such as aircraft wings, fuselage sections, and tail structures. The method is especially suitable for large, flat, or gently contoured surfaces where the precise alignment of fibers is crucial for optimal performance.
ATL contributes to the creation of lightweight structures, a critical factor in aerospace design for fuel efficiency and overall performance. Complex Geometries: The automated process allows for the fabrication of complex shapes and geometries, enabling aerodynamic designs that enhance aircraft performance. AFP allows for precise control over fiber orientation, enabling engineers to tailor the material properties to meet specific design requirements. The automated nature of AFP minimizes material waste, as fibers are placed only where needed, optimizing the use of expensive composite materials.
The others segment accounted for the highest revenue share in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.28% from 2025 to 2034. Other aircraft of aerospace composite includes military aviation, jet engines, and others. Aerospace composites have revolutionized the military aviation sector, contributing significantly to the development of high-performance and stealth aircraft. The General Electric GEnx engine, used in modern commercial aircraft such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, exemplifies the widespread application of composites in jet engines. The GEnx incorporates composite fan blades, reducing weight and contributing to the engine's overall fuel efficiency. Composites provide key advantages in military aviation, including increased maneuverability, fuel efficiency, and reduced radar cross-section. The development of stealth aircraft relies heavily on aerospace composites. These materials absorb and disperse radar waves, reducing the aircraft's radar cross-section and making it less detectable by enemy radar systems.
The aerospace industry is increasingly prioritizing fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Aerospace composite industry play a pivotal role in achieving these goals by contributing to lighter aircraft and more fuel-efficient engines. As environmental regulations tighten, the adoption of composites is likely to continue growing. Aerospace composites excel in their ability to withstand harsh operating conditions in jet engines. The high-temperature resistance and corrosion resistance of composites contribute to the durability of engine components. This durability extends the lifespan of critical parts and reduces maintenance requirements, leading to cost savings for airlines and military operators.
The aerospace composite market for Exterior accounted for highest revenue share in 2024. Aerospace composites are increasingly used in exterior aircraft applications due to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and design flexibility. These advanced materials, such as carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs), are employed in key structural components like fuselage panels, wing skins, tail fins, nacelles, and landing gear doors. The primary advantage lies in their ability to significantly reduce aircraft weight without compromising performance, thereby improving fuel efficiency, range, and payload capacity. Additionally, composites exhibit excellent fatigue resistance and can withstand extreme environmental conditions such as UV radiation, high temperatures, and moisture, making them ideal for exterior use.
The rising fuel prices and the aviation sector’s push for lower emissions have intensified the need for lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft, which composites help enable. Second, evolving regulatory frameworks focused on sustainability and carbon neutrality are pressuring manufacturers to adopt greener technologies, with composite materials playing a central role. Third, advancements in manufacturing techniques, such as automated fiber placement, resin transfer molding, and out-of-autoclave processing, have made composite production more cost-effective and scalable, encouraging broader adoption across both commercial and defense aircraft programs.
Competitive Analysis
The major players operating in the aerospace composite market include Evonik Industries AG, Hexcel Corporation, Teijin Limited, DuPont, Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials Inc, Solvay, SGL Carbon, Toray Industries, Inc., Copps Industries Inc, and Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.
Recent Key Developments in the Aerospace Compostie Market
- In March 2025, Airbus & Boeing unveiled plans to ramp up next-gen jet production (~100/month) using thermoplastics, enhanced resin infusion, faster curing methods, and robotic assembly.
- In February 2024, Hexcel & Arkema formed a joint venture to develop thermoplastic composites designed for recycling in aerospace, addressing sustainability.
- In August 2024, Rocket Lab commissioned a 12-meter, 99-ton Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) machine from Electroimpact for manufacturing Neutron rocket components. This advanced system automates carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) fabrication and incorporates real-time inspection capabilities, resulting in an estimated savings of approximately 150,000 labor hours.
Key Benefits For Stakeholders
- This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the aerospace composite market analysis from 2024 to 2034 to identify the prevailing aerospace composite market opportunities.
- The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.
- Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.
- In-depth analysis of the aerospace composite market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.
- Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global aerospace composite market growth.
- Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.
- The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global aerospace composite market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.
Aerospace Composite Market, by Composite Type Report Highlights
Aspects | Details |
Market Size By 2034 | USD 64.4 billion |
Growth Rate | CAGR of 11.3% |
Forecast period | 2024 - 2034 |
Report Pages | 663 |
By Composite Type |
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By Manufacturing Process |
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By Aircraft |
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By Application |
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By Region |
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Key Market Players | Solvay, TEIJIN LIMITED, TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC., Hexcel Corporation, SGL Carbon, Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd., Copps Industries Inc, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Evonik Industries AG, DuPont |
Analyst Review
According to the opinions of various CXOs of leading companies, the aerospace composite market is expected to witness an increase in demand during the forecast period. The aerospace sector has seen increased adoption of carbon fiber composites due to advancements in manufacturing technologies such as automated layup processes and 3D printing. These innovations have improved production efficiency and made carbon fiber composites more cost-effective in the manufacturing processes.
Lightweight material demand for fuel efficiency in aerospace drives the growth of the aerospace composite market. Aerospace composites, particularly carbon fiber composites, are highly valued in the aviation industry due to their excellent tensile strength and stiffness. These structural properties make them ideal for applications where maintaining structural integrity is crucial. The ability of composites to withstand high stress and fatigue contributes to the longevity and durability of aircraft components, reducing maintenance needs and operational costs in the aviation sector.
However, the high initial costs of composite materials in aerospace are expected to restrain industry expansion. Composite materials in aerospace involve high-cost components such as advanced carbon or glass, and epoxy resin. The manufacturing process includes precision molding, curing, and strict quality control, leading to elevated initial costs. Specialized equipment and skilled labor are necessary, further increasing production expenses. In addition, the time-intensive nature of ensuring uniformity and quality in large-scale production contributes to higher operational expenditures in the aerospace sector.
Aerospace composites play a crucial role in the fabrication of aircraft components, such as wings and fuselages, offering a combination of lightweight properties and durability. Carbon fiber-reinforced composites, known for their strength and low weight, are widely utilized in the aerospace sector.
Exterior is the leading application of Aerospace Composite Market.
North America is the largest regional market for Aerospace Composite.
The aerospace composite market was valued at $22.2 billion in 2024, and is estimated to reach $64.4 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 11.3% from 2025 to 2034.
The major players operating in the aerospace composite market include Evonik Industries AG, Hexcel Corporation, Teijin Limited, DuPont, Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials Inc, Solvay, SGL Carbon, Toray Industries, Inc., Copps Industries Inc, and Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.
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