Composite Cylinder Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2023-2030)

Gas cylinders made of polymers are containers designed to store gases under pressure, typically compressed gases like oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and hydrogen. These cylinders are fabricated from polymeric materials, such as polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or other thermoplastics, which offer several advantages over traditional metal cylinders. The advantages range from being lightweight, and corrosion resistant to having high impact resistance and chemical stability and with all these advantages polymer cylinders are very cost-effective as well.

The Composite Cylinder Market is expected to grow at a steady rate of around 4% owing to the increasing usage of recyclable products and the ease of handling that these cylinders provide. Composite cylinders are composed of helically woven fibers and resin, marking an important shift towards a new generation of technology with sustainable characteristics such as being 100% recyclable and their sturdy nature against UV rays. These cylinders have a wide range of uses, most primary applications being suitable for domestic applications. Moreover, they are employed across many different sectors, including the transportation of various compressed gas, they are also being used in the healthcare industry in life support systems. Furthermore, polymer-made gas cylinders are used for various recreational purposes by direct consumers as well such as in boating, camping spots, barbecues, fishing, and various others due to their ease of handling and their light weight.

The major trend witnessed in the global composite cylinder market is the increasing demand for these cylinders for transportation and storage of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG). Furthermore, a huge chunk of demand for composite cylinders is also coming from the increased adoption of these cylinders in various end-user sectors, including transportation of LNG and CNGs, aerospace and defense, construction and infrastructure development projects, and the healthcare industry. For instance, in March 2022, Time Technoplast announced that it had bagged an order of 7,58,814 units of 10kg capacity cylinders from IOCL (Indian Oil Corporation Limited), which needs to be supplied for the period of 12 months.

Based on fiber type, the market is segmented into glass fiber composites, carbon fiber composites, aramid fiber composites, and others. The glass fiber composite holds a significant share of the market owing to properties that it exhibits such as low density, high strength, and easy processing. Furthermore, glass fiber composite cylinders are widely used in the automotive, aerospace, and construction sectors. Moreover, the surging use of LPG and CNG composite cylinders for their various applications such as the growing use of these cylinders in the automotive industry due to increasing demand for CNG vehicles, and increasing demand for household composite cylinders are driving the demand for glass fiber composite cylinders in the market. With this anticipation of rising demand the companies operational in this segment are also allocating their funds for capacity expansion to cater to this demand. For instance, in March 2022, Time Technoplast, a manufacturer of polymer products, announced an investment of USD 10 million to add an additional 1 million composite cylinder manufacturing capacity in order to keep up with the growing demand for LPG composite cylinders both domestically and internationally.

Based on the end-user industry the market is segmented into gas carrier and storage, transportation, life support, and others. The transportation sector is anticipated to generate maximum demand for composite cylinders owing to the rising natural gas-powered vehicles which are proven to be a reliable alternative fuel for transportation. Furthermore, The transportation industry is increasingly turning to composite cylinders to meet their needs. This is due to a combination of factors, including the lightweight nature of composite cylinders, their superior strength and durability, and their ability to withstand extreme temperatures. In addition, composite cylinders are more cost-effective than traditional metal cylinders, making them an attractive option for transportation companies. The demand for composite cylinders in the transportation industry is expected to continue to grow in the coming years due to their increasing adoption. For instance, in November 2021, The CTO of Maruti Suzuki India, one of the largest car sellers in India, said that the CNG cylinder weight can be cut in half with the use of composite cylinders, and a 10% weight reduction of the overall vehicle can improve fuel efficiency by 3-4% and can reduce emission by 3-4 grams.

For a better understanding of the market adoption of the ethane industry, the market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in countries such as North America (The U.S., Canada, and Rest of North America), Europe (Germany, The U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Rest of World. APAC is anticipated to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. With the increasing industrialization, rapid infrastructure development, and increasing urbanization the population in the cities is rising. This congestion of population in cities is giving rise to increased mobility demand which in turn is degrading air quality and fueling pollution. Due to factors like this, the demand for natural gas-powered vehicles is gaining traction in emerging economies, and the government also supporting the shift is generating a sustained demand for the same. Furthermore, the use of composite cylinders is also becoming prominent among OEMs in natural gas-based vehicles due to its numerous benefits including superior strength-to-weight ratio, durability, and eco-efficiency. Furthermore, In the aerospace industry, composite cylinders are being used to create lightweight and durable components for aircraft, such as sandwich structures, cross-arms, and cantilever beams. Additionally, research has been conducted on the use of electro-active shape memory nanocomposites and honeycomb-filled composite structures for aerospace applications. For instance, in April 2023, Emirates Gas, a subsidiary of ENOC Group, announced that it is launching next-generation LPG composite cylinders as a part of the consistent effort to provide its customers with the latest technology in the LPG industry.

Some of the major players operating in the market include: Aburi composites; Amtrol-Alfa; Aygaz; Dragerwerk; EVAS; Faber Industries; Hexagon Composites ASA; SIDPEC; Luxfer Gas Industries; and Sinoma