Aerospace Composites Market Size - By Fiber Type, By Matrix, By Aircraft Type, By Application and Forecast, 2025 - 2034

Report ID: GMI1358
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Published Date: January 2025
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Report Format: PDF

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Aerospace Composites Market Size

The global aerospace composites market was valued at USD 29.4 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 12.8% from 2025 to 2034.
 

The aerospace composites industry continues to grow as aircraft manufacturers seek lightweight, high-performance materials. Airlines and manufacturers increasingly use advanced composites, particularly carbon fiber materials, to meet environmental regulations and boost fuel efficiency. These materials offer better strength-to-weight ratios than traditional options, helping reduce aircraft weight and fuel consumption while decreasing emissions. Both commercial and military aircraft sectors are adopting aerospace composites, which drives market growth and advances in material technology.
 

For instance, in June 2023, NASA awarded AnalySwift LLC, a Purdue University-affiliated software company, a $799,954 Phase II STTR contract to develop the Design Tool for Advanced Tailorable Composites (DATC). The company plans to release this software tool when the two-year contract ends. DATC will greatly enhance NASA's ability to design and analyze aerospace structures utilizing advanced, customizable composites.
 

The aerospace industry is adopting advanced materials, automation, and digital technologies to enhance performance, sustainability, and reduce costs. Aircraft manufacturers are using more advanced composites like carbon fiber and ceramic materials to meet the rising demand for lightweight and fuel-efficient aircraft. New technologies such as 3D printing, smart materials, and real-time monitoring systems are changing how aircraft parts are designed and made, making production faster and more accurate. The industry also emphasizes environmental protection by working to lower emissions and create materials that can withstand extreme conditions, especially for hypersonic travel and new aerospace systems.
 

For instance, in August 2023, Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. joined forces with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, run by University of Tennessee Battelle, to advance hypersonic travel and next-generation aircraft applications. The teams are working together to improve high-temperature monitoring techniques and create better prediction models for carbon and ceramic composites, as well as 3D-printed alloys. They are also researching ways to process materials that can withstand extreme heat and harsh environments, with a focus on expanding thermal protection systems for aerospace platforms.
 

Aerospace Composites Market Trends

The aerospace composites industry continues to evolve as manufacturers integrate new materials and production technologies. Companies increasingly use carbon fiber and ceramic composites to achieve better strength-to-weight ratios and heat resistance in aerospace applications. The rise of 3D printing allows manufacturers to create complex, lightweight parts more efficiently while reducing material waste. Digital tools like predictive modeling and process monitoring help companies optimize performance and maintain material quality. As environmental concerns grow, the demand for composites that lower fuel consumption and meet environmental standards drives market expansion.
 

Aerospace Composites Market Analysis

The aerospace composites industry faces challenges from high material costs, particularly for carbon fiber, and complex manufacturing processes that limit widespread adoption. Long certification periods and strict regulatory requirements for aerospace components delay product development and market entry. Despite these constraints, the market offers growth opportunities through rising demand for lightweight, fuel-efficient aircraft. The adoption of additive manufacturing technologies helps reduce costs and production time. Environmental regulations and sustainability requirements also drive the development of high-performance composites that deliver both improved durability and reduced environmental impact.
 

 Aerospace Composites Market Size, By Fiber Type, 2021 - 2034 (USD Billion)

Based on fiber type, the aerospace composites market is segmented into glass fiber, carbon fiber, ceramic fiber and others. The carbon fiber segment held a market share of over 68% in 2024 and is expected to grow at a lucrative pace.
 

  • Carbon fiber materials continue to grow in the aerospace industry because they are lightweight and extremely strong. Aircraft manufacturers now regularly use these materials in wings, fuselage, and interior parts to make planes lighter, more fuel-efficient, and better performing. Both commercial and military aircraft benefit from carbon fiber composites, and their use is set to increase as aerospace companies work to meet stricter fuel efficiency rules and sustainability goals.
     
  • The growing demand for carbon fiber composites has increased the need for sustainable solutions. The aerospace industry is investing in carbon fiber recycling technologies to address environmental concerns and lower raw material costs. New developments in chemical recycling methods and recyclable thermoplastic carbon fiber composites are making carbon fiber production and disposal more environmentally friendly while boosting its overall usage.
     
Aerospace Composites Market Revenue Share, By Matrix, (2024)

Based on matrix, the market is segmented into polymer matrix, ceramic matrix, and metal matrix. The ceramic matrix segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 14% till 2034.
 

  • Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are becoming increasingly important in aerospace and defense applications due to their ability to withstand extremely high temperatures. These materials are particularly valuable in engine components and thermal protection systems, where they face intense heat conditions in jet engines and hypersonic vehicles. As the aerospace industry seeks materials that can maintain their structural strength and performance at high temperatures, CMCs continue to see growing adoption in next-generation aircraft and military systems.
     
  • Ceramic matrix composites currently have high production costs because of their complex manufacturing processes. Recent advances in fabrication methods, including 3D printing and more efficient processing techniques, are helping bring down these costs. This makes ceramic matrix composites a more practical choice for various applications, especially in commercial aerospace where cost-effective solutions are crucial. As manufacturing methods continue to improve, more aerospace and automotive companies are expected to adopt these materials.
     
U.S. Aerospace Composites Market Size, 2021 - 2034 (USD Billion)

North America dominated the aerospace composites market and is expected to reach a value of over USD 37 billion by 2034. The United States military modernization program is driving greater use of aerospace composites in next-generation fighter aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and space exploration systems. These materials deliver the required strength-to-weight ratio and durability needed for high-performance military applications, resulting in higher demand for specialized materials across defense platforms.
 

In Germany, aerospace manufacturers, research institutions, and government organizations are working together to develop aerospace composites. The "Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow" project, which receives support from both public and private sectors, aims to improve lightweight composite materials and manufacturing methods.
 

The aerospace composites market in China continues to grow as the country focuses on advancing its aerospace technology. Government investments in both commercial and military aerospace sectors, combined with the growth of domestic aircraft manufacturers like COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China), drive the increasing demand for aerospace composites.
 

Japan's market continues to grow steadily, supported by the country's robust aerospace manufacturing capabilities and technological progress. The nation's focus on developing fuel-efficient aircraft and space exploration technologies increases the need for advanced composites.
 

The market in South Korea continues to grow as the country increases its investment in aerospace technology. Companies like Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and other aerospace manufacturers use composite materials to build lighter and more fuel-efficient aircraft for both commercial and military applications.
 

Aerospace Composites Market Share

Aerospace Composites Market Share Analysis, 2024

Major players like Solvay, Toray, SGL Carbon, and Hexcel compete strongly in the aerospace composites industry. These companies work on innovation and build strategic partnerships to improve their product offerings, especially in carbon fiber, ceramic matrix, and polymer matrix composites. As the demand grows for lightweight, high-performance materials across commercial, military, and space applications, companies invest heavily in research, improve their manufacturing processes, and expand globally. They also work closely with aerospace manufacturers to create specialized solutions that meet industry needs, which helps advance technology in the market.
 

Aerospace Composites Market Companies

Major players operating in the aerospace composites industry are:

  • Absolute Composites
  • Aernnova Aerospace
  • Avior Integrated Products
  • Collins Aerospace
  • FDC Composites
  • General Dynamics
  • Hexcel
  • Lee Aerospace
  • Materion
  • Mitsubishi Chemical
  • SGL Carbon
  • Solvay
  • Spirit Aerosystems
  • Teijin
  • Toray
     

Aerospace Composites Industry News

  • In September 2024, Toray Advanced Composites launched Toray Cetex TC1130 PESU thermoplastic composite material. The material addresses the demand for lightweight and sustainable solutions in aircraft interior applications, offering benefits to the aerospace industry.
     
  • In March 2024, Arkema and Hexcel produced their first aircraft structure using thermoplastic composites through their strategic partnership. They built the high-performance structure with HexPly thermoplastic tapes.
     

This aerospace composites market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD million) & volume (tons) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

Market, By Fiber Type

  • Glass fiber
  • Carbon fiber
  • Ceramic fiber
  • Others

Market, By Matrix

  • Polymer matrix
    • Thermoset polymer matrix
      • Epoxy
      • Phenolic
      • Polyamide
      • Others
    • Thermoplastic polymer matrix
      • Polyether ether ketone (PEEK)
      • Polysulfone (PSU)
      • Polyetherimide (PEI)
      • Others
  • Ceramic matrix
  • Metal matrix

Market, By Aircraft Type

  • Commercial
    • Narrow-body
    • Wide-body
    • Business jet
    • Turboprop
  • Military & defense aircraft
  • Others

Market, By Application

  • Exterior
    • Fuselage
    • Engine
    • Wings
    • Rotor blades
    • Tail boom
  • Interior
    • Seats
    • Cabin
    • Sandwich panels
    • Environmental control system (ECS) ducting

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Europe
    • UK
    • Germany
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Russia
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • South Korea
    • Australia 
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Mexico
  • MEA
    • UAE
    • Saudi Arabia
    • South Africa

 

Authors: Suraj Gujar, Partha Paul
Frequently Asked Question(FAQ) :
Who are the major players in the aerospace composites industry?
Key players in the aerospace composites industry include Absolute Composites, Aernnova Aerospace, Avior Integrated Products, Collins Aerospace, FDC Composites, General Dynamics, Hexcel, Lee Aerospace, Materion, Mitsubishi Chemical, SGL Carbon, Solvay, Spirit Aerosystems, Teijin, and Toray.
What is the market share of carbon fiber in the aerospace composites industry?
How big is the aerospace composites market?
How much is the North America aerospace composites market worth?
Aerospace Composites Market Scope
  • Aerospace Composites Market Size
  • Aerospace Composites Market Trends
  • Aerospace Composites Market Analysis
  • Aerospace Composites Market Share
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    Base Year: 2024

    Companies covered: 15

    Tables & Figures: 310

    Countries covered: 19

    Pages: 190

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