Carbon fiber threads are extremely durable, lightweight, and have high tensile strength. They are thin strands or filaments made primarily of carbon atoms. In producing carbon fiber threads, a precursor material such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN), pitch, or rayon is used. If PAN is employed, it undergoes a polymerization process and is spun into fibers or melted into filaments to produce PAN fibers. The precursor fibers are then stabilized by being heated to the proper temperature in an oxygen-free environment. The fibers are heated to temperatures beyond 1000°C in a controlled environment with low oxygen during carbonization, which comes after stabilization. This method generates carbon fiber threads with exceptional strength and low weight by eliminating non-carbon components and turning the fibers into carbon-rich material.
The need for lightweight materials in the automotive industry has Increased for several reasons, Including better fuel economy, lower emissions, higher performance, Increased safety, cost savings, and the rise of the electric and hybrid vehicle markets. Lightweight vehicle structures, such as body panels, chassis parts, and frames, are made using carbon fiber threads. Ince it has a high strength-to-weight ratio compared to more traditional materials like steel, it can significantly reduce weight, improving performance and fuel efficiency. Along with shedding weight, enhancing the overall attractiveness, and strengthening the performance of the vehicle, these materials also give the car a premium and sporty look. The manufacture of battery casings for hybrid and electric vehicles also employs carbon fiber threads. The excellent structural integrity and stiffness offered by carbon fiber ensure the security and defense of the vehicle's battery pack. These materials are also used in making suspension components such as control arms, stabilizer bars, and springs. Due to these great uses of carbon fiber threads in the automobile sector, the carbon fiber thread market will experience tremendous growth during the forecast period.
The Increased use of various renewable energy sources, especially wind energy, is a result of the growing need for renewable energy due to the negative environmental effects of conventional energy sources like fossil fuels. The remarkable light weight of carbon fiber threads makes them an ideal material for manufacturing wind turbine blades. By using carbon fiber, it is possible to reduce the overall weight of the blades while maintaining their structural integrity. This reduction in weight reduces the mechanical stress on the turbines, improving energy efficiency. In addition, carbon fiber threads have astonishing strength and rigidity, allowing wind turbine blades to withstand dynamic loads and strains encountered during operation, such as intense winds.
Compared to traditional materials like steel, carbon fiber has much higher corrosion resistance. Wind turbines are typically installed in challenging environments, such as coastal regions where exposure to seawater and corrosive substances is common. By Incorporating carbon fiber threads into the blade construction, the risk of corrosion-related damage is decreased, resulting in less frequent maintenance requirements and a longer useful life. The design flexibility offered by carbon fiber threads also allows manufacturers to develop intricate blade forms and enhance aerodynamic performance. These factors have contributed to the market growth of carbon fiber threads in wind turbine blade production.
The market expansion is constrained by the higher cost of carbon fiber threads compared to more conventional materials like steel or aluminum. As a result, there may be less demand for carbon fiber threads in cost-sensitive sectors and applications due to Increased production costs, Including those of raw materials and manufacturing procedures. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN), often known as pitch, is often used as the raw material in carbon fiber production. PAN is processed through a complicated sequence of steps to produce carbon fiber. Costly precursor materials must be processed using specialized equipment and knowledge. Spinning, stabilization, carbonization, and surface preparation are further processes involved in carbon fiber manufacture. It is important to carefully control the temperature, pressure, and other factors during each phase. The intricate, energy-intensive production process utilizes sophisticated machinery.
The carbon fiber thread market is divided on the basis of product type, end-use industry, and region. On the basis of product type, the market is classified into continuous carbon fiber thread and chopped carbon fiber thread. Depending on the end-use industry, the market is segregated into aerospace, automotive, sports and recreation, construction and infrastructure, and others. Region-wise, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.
The key players operating in the global carbon fiber thread market are SGL Carbon, Hexcel Corporation, Mitsubishi Chemical Carbon Fiber and Composites, Inc., TEIJIN LIMITED, TORAY INDUSTRIES, Inc., Solvay, Beijing Konfitex Technology Co., Ltd., Formosa Plastics Corporation, ZhongAo Carbon, and KUREHA CORPORATION. These players have adopted various key strategies Including agreement, collaboration, expansion, and partnership to Increase their market shares.
Key Benefits For Stakeholders
- This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the carbon fiber thread market analysis from 2022 to 2032 to identify the prevailing carbon fiber thread 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 carbon fiber thread market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.
- Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.
- 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 carbon fiber thread market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.
Key Market Segments
By Product Type
- Continuous Carbon Fiber Thread
- Chopped Carbon Fiber Thread
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Sports and Recreation
- Construction and Infrastructure
- Others
By Region
- North America
- U.S.
- Canada
- Mexico
- Europe
- Germany
- France
- UK
- Spain
- Rest of Europe
- Asia-Pacific
- China
- Japan
- India
- South Korea
- Rest of Asia-Pacific
- LAMEA
- Brazil
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- Rest of LAMEA
Key Market Players
- Beijing Konfitex Technology Co., Ltd.
- Formosa Plastics Corporation
- Hexcel Corporation.
- KUREHA CORPORATION
- Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation.
- SGL Carbon
- Solvay S.A.
- TEIJIN LIMITED
- TORAY INDUSTRIES, Inc.
- ZhongAo Carbon
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary
According to a new report, titled, 'Carbon fiber Thread Market,' The carbon fiber thread market was valued at $1.6 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $2.7 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2023 to 2032.A thin filament or strand made of carbon atoms, typically a few micrometers in diameter, is called a carbon fiber thread. It is a specific type of fiber that has exceptional strength and stiffness because it is comprised of extended chains of carbon atoms linked together in a crystalline structure. These threads are produced using methods such as spinning, polymerization, and carbonization. They are employed in products including reinforced constructions, automobile parts, wind turbine blades, tennis rackets, and other sports equipment where high strength and low weight are crucial requirements.
Carbon fiber threads have become increasingly popular in the sports industry due to their exceptional characteristics, which have helped expand the market. They are used in the manufacturing of various athletic goods, including hockey sticks, bicycles, tennis rackets, golf clubs, fishing rods, and archery bows. The high strength-to-weight ratio of carbon fiber enhances performance by allowing athletes to exert greater power, have more control, and better maneuverability. Carbon fiber threads are also used in high-performance athletic footwear, particularly running shoes, where carbon fiber plates or inserts are combined with the midsole for stability, energy return, and propulsion. Additionally, carbon fiber threads are commonly used in cycling components such as bicycle frames, forks, handlebars, and seat posts, as they offer reduced weight while maintaining stiffness and durability. Various sports protection equipment, such as body armor, elbow and knee pads, shin guards, and helmets, are also made using composite carbon fiber materials. These factors have contributed to the use of carbon fiber threads in the sports industry, accelerating market expansion.
The global shift towards renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, is driving the demand for carbon fiber threads. These threads are widely used in wind turbine blades due to their strength and lightness. As the market for renewable energy sources grows, it is projected that the demand for carbon fiber threads for wind turbine applications will increase. Incorporating carbon fiber threads into wind turbine blades improve their functionality, robustness, and efficiency. It enables the construction of longer, lighter, and more reliable blades, increasing energy output and enhancing wind energy production. The high stiffness and smooth surface of carbon fiber blades minimize aerodynamic losses such as drag and turbulence. Furthermore, carbon fiber threads have higher fatigue resistance compared to more common materials like fiberglass, allowing the blades to withstand cyclic loading caused by wind gusts and turbulence without significant performance or structural integrity degradation. This extends their operational life and reduces maintenance requirements. These factors will accelerate market growth for carbon fiber threads in wind turbine blades.
The market's growth is limited by the high cost of manufacturing carbon fiber threads. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN), also known as pitch, is the primary raw material for producing these threads. The raw materials go through several processing stages, including stabilization, carbonization, and graphitization, to form carbon fiber. PAN-based carbon fibers are more common and more expensive to produce compared to pitch-based carbon fibers. The cost of raw materials, especially premium PAN, significantly impacts the cost of purchasing carbon fiber threads. Specialized manufacturing procedures are required to produce carbon fiber threads, and each stage must be carefully controlled to ensure the desired quality and performance. The complexity of these processes, the need for precise equipment, and skilled operators contribute to increased manufacturing costs. Additionally, carbon fiber production facilities require substantial investments in specialized equipment and infrastructure. These factors hinder market growth due to the high production cost of carbon fiber threads.
An important opportunity for market expansion lies in the sustainability of carbon fiber threads. Due to their lightweight nature, these threads are more energy-efficient in various applications. For example, lighter cars made possible by carbon fiber parts in the transportation sector can reduce fuel consumption and pollution. Furthermore, the incorporation of carbon fiber threads in wind turbine blades improves energy absorption and overall wind energy output efficiency.
The carbon fiber thread market is divided on the basis of product type, end-use industry, and region. On the basis of product type, the market is classified into continuous carbon fiber thread and chopped carbon fiber thread. Depending on the end-use industry, the market is segregated into aerospace, automotive, sports and recreation, construction and infrastructure, and others. Region-wise, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.
The key players operating in the global carbon fiber thread market are SGL Carbon, Hexcel Corporation, Mitsubishi Chemical Carbon Fiber and Composites, Inc., TEIJIN LIMITED, TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC., Solvay, Beijing Konfitex Technology Co., Ltd., Formosa Plastics Corporation, ZhongAo Carbon, and KUREHA CORPORATION. These players have adopted various key strategies including agreement, collaboration, expansion, and partnership to increase their market shares.
Key findings of the study
Asia-Pacific would exhibit CAGR of 5.5% during 2023-2032.- By product type, the continuous carbon fiber thread segment was the leading segment in 2022.
- By end-use industry, the aerospace segment was the leading carbon fiber thread market industry in 2022.
Companies Mentioned
- Beijing Konfitex Technology Co., Ltd.
- Formosa Plastics Corporation
- Hexcel Corporation.
- KUREHA CORPORATION
- Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation.
- SGL Carbon
- Solvay S.A.
- TEIJIN LIMITED
- TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
- ZhongAo Carbon
Methodology
The analyst offers exhaustive research and analysis based on a wide variety of factual inputs, which largely include interviews with industry participants, reliable statistics, and regional intelligence. The in-house industry experts play an instrumental role in designing analytic tools and models, tailored to the requirements of a particular industry segment. The primary research efforts include reaching out participants through mail, tele-conversations, referrals, professional networks, and face-to-face interactions.
They are also in professional corporate relations with various companies that allow them greater flexibility for reaching out to industry participants and commentators for interviews and discussions.
They also refer to a broad array of industry sources for their secondary research, which typically include; however, not limited to:
- Company SEC filings, annual reports, company websites, broker & financial reports, and investor presentations for competitive scenario and shape of the industry
- Scientific and technical writings for product information and related preemptions
- Regional government and statistical databases for macro analysis
- Authentic news articles and other related releases for market evaluation
- Internal and external proprietary databases, key market indicators, and relevant press releases for market estimates and forecast
Furthermore, the accuracy of the data will be analyzed and validated by conducting additional primaries with various industry experts and KOLs. They also provide robust post-sales support to clients.
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Table Information
Report Attribute | Details |
---|---|
No. of Pages | 197 |
Published | June 2023 |
Forecast Period | 2022 - 2032 |
Estimated Market Value ( USD | $ 1.6 billion |
Forecasted Market Value ( USD | $ 2.7 billion |
Compound Annual Growth Rate | 5.4% |
Regions Covered | Global |
No. of Companies Mentioned | 10 |