PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1662913
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1662913
Carbon fiber prepreg is a composite material composed of carbon fiber sheets infused with resin before being shipped for use. This material finds applications across diverse industries, notably in aerospace and automotive sectors, and is commonly shaped using machine tools.
The primary categories of carbon fiber prepreg are thermoset and thermoplastic. Thermoset prepregs consist of synthetic polymer-reinforced fibers combined with high-grade resins. These prepregs undergo various manufacturing processes such as hot melt and solvent dip. They encompass an array of resins such as phenolic, epoxy, bismaleimide, polyimide, cyanate ester, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and others. These materials are utilized across a spectrum of industries including aerospace and defense, automotive, wind energy, sports and recreation, and various other sectors.
The carbon fiber prepreg market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides carbon fiber prepreg market statistics, including carbon fiber prepreg industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a carbon fiber prepreg market share, detailed carbon fiber prepreg market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the carbon fiber prepreg industry. This carbon fiber prepreg market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The carbon fiber prepreg market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $10.43 billion in 2024 to $11.45 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increased demand from aerospace industry, automotive lightweighting trend, sports and leisure applications, wind energy growth, high strength-to-weight ratio.
The carbon fiber prepreg market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $16.98 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increased use in electric vehicles, infrastructure development in emerging economies, expansion in renewable energy projects, rising aerospace budgets, global focus on sustainable materials. Major trends in the forecast period include development of hybrid composite materials, automation and robotics in manufacturing, renewable energy sector adoption, innovations in manufacturing processes, widespread use in 3d printing.
The continued expansion of the automotive industry is expected to drive the growth of the carbon fiber prepreg market in the future. The automotive industry encompasses the manufacturing and sale of motor vehicles. Carbon fiber prepregs are extensively used in high-end automotive sectors, including racing cars, bikes, sports, recreation, and the industrial sector, due to their lightweight nature, temperature resistance, chemical resistance, and superior structural and mechanical properties for vehicles. For instance, in June 2023, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, a Belgium-based industry association, reported that approximately 13 million Europeans are employed in the automotive industry, accounting for 7% of all EU jobs. The sector also represents 11.5% of EU manufacturing jobs, with around 3.4 million positions. The EU annually produces 13.1 million vehicles, including cars, vans, trucks, and buses, solidifying its role as a strategic industry. The European auto sector leads globally, generating a €101.9 billion ($110.42 billion) trade surplus with its high-quality, "Made in Europe" products. As a result, the steady growth of the automotive industry is fueling the demand for carbon fiber prepregs.
The growth of the construction industry is anticipated to drive the carbon fiber prepreg market in the coming years. The construction industry includes companies involved in the planning, design, and execution of structures and infrastructure projects, which encompasses the assembly of materials and labor to create buildings, bridges, roads, and other built environments. Carbon fiber prepreg is utilized in this sector due to its high strength-to-weight ratio, durability, and corrosion resistance, which enhance structural performance in applications such as bridges and buildings. For example, in July 2024, the US Census Bureau, a government agency, reported that the value of construction operations increased from $2.01 trillion in May 2023 to $2.14 trillion in May 2024. Consequently, the growth of the construction industry is positively impacting the carbon fiber prepreg market.
A prominent trend within the carbon fiber prepregs market is the emphasis on product innovations by major industry players to maintain their market positioning. Illustratively, in September 2022, Solvay, a US-based manufacturer specializing in materials, chemicals, and solutions, introduced LTM 350. This next-generation carbon fiber epoxy prepreg tooling material is designed to offer substantial time and cost savings across diverse sectors, including industrial, aerospace, automotive, and race car markets. Noteworthy features include a fast and low-temperature cure cycle, allowing continuous cycling at temperatures up to 150 °C, along with the production of highly accurate composite parts. This commitment to innovation underscores the industry's dedication to advancing products and meeting evolving market demands.
Prominent players within the carbon fiber prepreg market are actively engaged in the development of advanced materials, exemplified by the creation of next-generation products such as the carbon fiber epoxy prepreg tooling material. This composite material, employed in manufacturing processes, combines carbon fiber reinforcement with epoxy resin. A case in point is Solvay, a Belgium-based chemical company, which introduced LTM 350 in September 2022. LTM 350 represents a paradigm shift in composite tooling, characterized by its rapid lay-up, swift initial cure (3 hrs at 60°C), and abbreviated post-cure cycles. This innovative material facilitates the efficient construction of composite tools, particularly in aerospace and automotive industries, owing to its low-temperature cure and compatibility with autoclave and out-of-autoclave applications. LTM 350's user-friendly features and optimized lay-up formats not only contribute to cost savings but also enhance overall productivity in composite manufacturing.
In October 2023, Mitsubishi Chemical Group, a Japan-based chemicals corporation, acquired CPC Group for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition is intended to bolster Mitsubishi Chemical's position in the semiconductor materials market. By integrating CPC Group, Mitsubishi Chemical aims to enhance its portfolio of high-purity chemicals, which are essential for semiconductor manufacturing. CPC Group, based in Italy, specializes in the carbon fiber automotive sector.
Major companies operating in the carbon fiber prepreg market include Toray Industries Inc., Teijin Limited, Hexcel Corporation, Solvay, Mitsubishi Chemical Carbon Fiber and Composites, Inc., Gurit Holdings AG, SGL Carbon, Park Aerospace Corp., Axiom Materials, Inc., ZOLTEK Group, Royal TenCate N.V., Dexcraft, Rock West Composites, Mallinda, Weihai Guangwei Composites Materials, Sichuan Xinwanxing Carbon Fiber Composites, Cytec Solvay Group, Victrex plc, Barrday Corporation, GL Group, GLT Group, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Carbon Fiber Technologies, Inc., Advanced Composite Materials, Composite Resources, Inc., Kordsa Teknik Tekstil A.S., Jushi Group Co., Ltd., Jiangsu Hengshen Co., Ltd., Shanghai Aerospace Composite Materials Co., Ltd., Hexion Inc., and TenCate Advanced Composites
Europe was the largest region in the carbon fiber prepreg market in 2024. The regions covered in the carbon fiber prepreg market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa
The countries covered in the carbon fiber prepreg market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The carbon fiber prepreg market consists of sales of carbon fiber, carbon re-enforced composites, and carbon organo sheets. 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.
Carbon Fiber Prepreg 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 carbon fiber prepreg 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.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for carbon fiber prepreg ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The carbon fiber prepreg 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 forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.