Armor Materials Market Report 2025

The armor materials market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $12.93 billion in 2024 to $13.81 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to military conflict and warfare, focus on soldier safety, regulatory standards and requirements, strategic geopolitical shifts, and protection for vehicles and equipment.

The armor materials market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $17.57 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing defense expenditure, rising security threats, focus on soldier protection, shift towards urban warfare, and military modernization programs. Major trends in the forecast period include R&D in material science, sustainability and environmental impact, integration of sensor technologies, evolving threat landscape, and adoption of additive manufacturing.

The growing terrorist threat is expected to drive the expansion of the armor material market in the future. A terrorist threat refers to violent actions that endanger others, demonstrating a disregard for the harm caused. High-strength armor materials are designed to protect wearers from projectiles such as knives, bullets, and shell fragments during terrorist attacks or other dangerous situations. As terrorist threats rise, the demand for armor materials is expected to increase. For instance, in August 2024, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), an Australia-based non-profit organization, reported that Australia's terrorism threat level had been raised to 'probable,' indicating a risk of over 50% for an attack within the next year. As a result, the escalating terrorist threat is fueling the growth of the armor material market.

The rise in geopolitical tensions is expected to drive the growth of the armor materials market in the future. Geopolitical tensions involve political conflicts, rivalries, or disputes between nations or regions, often over issues like territory, resources, power, or ideology. Such tensions typically lead to increased defense spending as countries allocate more resources to enhance security. This additional funding enables the development and acquisition of advanced defense technologies, including innovative armor materials. Governments may also invest in research and development to produce materials that offer better protection against evolving threats. For instance, in August 2024, the World Economic Forum reported that 83% of respondents identified geopolitical tensions as the primary risk to global economic growth, surpassing concerns about inflation and monetary tightening, which were cited by 73%. Looking further ahead, 86% of participants highlighted increasing geopolitical fragmentation and protectionism as the most significant long-term threat. As a result, growing geopolitical tensions are fueling the expansion of the armor materials market.

A dominant trend in the armor materials market revolves around product innovation. Key players in this sector concentrate on pioneering new products to bolster their market presence. Notably, in April 2023, DuPont, a US-based provider of technology-based materials, unveiled Kevlar EXO, a cutting-edge aramid fiber. Distinguished by its exceptional ballistic performance without compromising weight, Kevlar EXO enables the creation of top-tier, lightweight soft armor solutions. Its intrinsic resistance to heat and flame up to 500°C (932°F) positions it as a significant advancement in aramid fiber technology, catering to applications necessitating high-level protection and performance in demanding circumstances.

Prominent companies within the armor materials market are actively engaged in developing new unidirectional materials, aiming to gain a competitive advantage. Unidirectional materials, often composed of fibers predominantly oriented in a single direction, provide substantial strength and stiffness along a specific axis. For example, in October 2023, Dyneema, under Avient Corporation, introduced SB301, its third-generation UD material, emphasizing sustainability in ballistic vests. Constructed with a 0-90 orientation in unidirectional fabrics, this bio-based material achieves a 90% reduction in carbon footprint while enhancing performance by 15%-20% or reducing weight by 20%. The evolution in fiber technology significantly enhances ballistic stopping power, addressing critical protection needs across diverse operational scenarios. Dyneema SB301 adheres to the Berry Amendment standards, meeting requirements for law enforcement vests in the US market.

In March 2023, Iten Defense LLC, a prominent US manufacturer specializing in composite armor products, completed the acquisition of Transparent Armor Systems (TAS) for an undisclosed sum. This strategic move is expected to significantly expand Iten Defense's solution portfolio by incorporating transparent armor alongside its existing range of composite armor offerings. These additions are targeted towards tactical vehicles, fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, and marine vessels. Transparent Armor Systems, headquartered in the UAE, is recognized for its expertise in producing certified ballistic glass and frame systems tailored for defense, automotive, and architectural applications.

Major companies operating in the armor materials market include DuPont de Nemours Inc., Honeywell International Inc., 3M Company, Saab AB, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A., Teijin Aramid B.V., Koninklijke Ten Cate BV., CeramTec GmbH, CoorsTek Inc., Morgan Advanced Materials plc, The Safariland Group LLC, PPG Industries Inc., NP Aerospace Ltd., Ballistic Body Armour Ltd., Pacific Safety Products Inc., ATI CeramTec GmbH, Ceradyne Inc., Allegheny Technologies Incorporated, AGY Holding Corp., White Horse Research and Development Inc., Megiddo Global LLC, Hard Shell U.S., ArmorCo Advanced Armoring Products Inc., Tata Steel Ltd., Armorup LP, Tex Tech Industries Inc., SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp., SafeGuard Armor Ltd., Schunk Carbon Technology LLC, Aloca Inc.

North America was the largest region in the armor materials market in 2024. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global armor materials market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the armor materials market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the armor materials market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Armor materials encompass a diverse array of substances utilized in crafting various forms of protective gear or body armor. These materials serve the purpose of creating protective clothing capable of deflecting or absorbing the impact of projectiles or weapons directed at the wearer.

Primary categories of armor materials include metals and alloys, composites, para-aramid fiber, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), fiberglass, and other specialized substances. Metals are opaque, lustrous elements that conduct heat and electricity efficiently, while alloys consist of metallic compounds comprising two or more different elements. These materials are employed in fabricating products such as vests, helmets, and other protective gear designed for different protection levels, such as II, IIa, III, IIIa, and IV. They find applications in vehicle armor, aerospace, body armor for defense, law enforcement, security personnel, and civilian use across various sectors such as civil and marine defense.

The armor materials market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides armor materials market statistics, including the armor materials industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an armor materials market share, detailed armor materials market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the armor materials industry. This armor materials market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The armor materials market consists of sales of ceramics, kevlar, steel, and polyethylene (PE). 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.

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