Aviation Carbon Fiber Market Report 2026

The aviation carbon fiber market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.88 billion in 2025 to $3.12 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of commercial aircraft production, increased use of composite materials in aviation, growth in defense aviation programs, advancements in composite material science, availability of high-strength fibers.

The aviation carbon fiber market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.32 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing aircraft fleet modernization, rising focus on fuel efficiency and emission reduction, expansion of next-generation aircraft programs, growing demand for military aircraft upgrades, increasing investments in advanced aerospace materials. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of carbon fiber in aircraft structures, rising demand for lightweight composite materials, growing adoption of fuel-efficient aircraft designs, expansion of advanced composite manufacturing techniques, enhanced focus on structural strength and durability.

Growth in passenger air traffic is anticipated to drive the expansion of the aviation carbon fiber industry in the coming years. Passenger air traffic refers to the rise in the number of people traveling by air over a period, which can be tracked through various metrics, including the total passengers carried by airlines, the number of flights operated, and the revenue generated by the aviation sector. Carbon fiber composites are increasingly utilized in aircraft manufacturing due to their lightweight nature, high strength, and fuel efficiency, which enhance passenger experiences by providing more spacious and comfortable cabins. For example, in January 2024, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a Canada-based global airline association, reported that international traffic in 2023 increased by 41.6% compared to 2022. Consequently, the surge in passenger air traffic is contributing to the growth of the aviation carbon fiber industry.

Major companies operating in the aviation carbon fiber sector are emphasizing product innovations, such as continuous carbon fiber materials, to address the rising industry demand. Continuous carbon fiber materials consist of long strands of carbon fibers that are woven or aligned in a continuous configuration. For example, in March 2024, Hexcel Corporation, a US-based manufacturer of carbon fiber reinforcements and resin systems, introduced its new HexTow IM9 24K continuous carbon fiber, designed for advanced aerospace composite applications. This intermediate modulus fiber contains 24,000 filaments and delivers a tensile strength exceeding 6,300 MPa, with a modulus of 298 GPa. The IM9 24K offers a 12% improvement in tensile strength compared with the earlier IM7 fiber, aiming to provide high performance and efficiency for aerospace vehicle structures.

In January 2025, Tex-Tech Industries Inc., a US-based provider of high-temperature and high-performance specialty materials and coatings, acquired Fiber Materials Inc. for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Tex-Tech intends to broaden its range of thermally protective materials and enhance its capabilities to cater to the rapidly expanding space and defense sectors. Fiber Materials Inc., based in the US, specializes in high-temperature materials and reinforced composites, particularly carbon/carbon and related composites, which are utilized in critical applications such as thermal protection systems, re-entry vehicle nose tips, rocket motor throats, and nozzles.

Major companies operating in the aviation carbon fiber market are Toray Industries Inc., Hexcel Corporation, Teijin Carbon Co. Ltd., SGL Carbon SE, Solvay S.A., BGF Industries Inc., Taekwang Industrial Co. Ltd., Weihai Tuozhan Fibers Co. Ltd., Jiangsu Hengshen Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Bally Ribbon Mills, Park Aerospace Technologies Corp., Renegade Materials Corporation, Nippon Graphite Fiber Co. Ltd., Zoltek Companies Inc., Hyosung Advanced Materials Corporation, Zhongfu Shenying Carbon Fiber Co. Ltd., Jiangsu Tianniao High Technology Co. Ltd., Jilin Carbon Fiber Co. Ltd., Weihai Guangwei Composites Co. Ltd., Hengshen Co. Ltd., Jiangsu Hangke Composite Materials Technology Co. Ltd., Jiangsu Jiuding New Material Co. Ltd., Zhejiang Juxing Carbon Fiber Technology Co. Ltd., Zhejiang Guanghua Technology Co. Ltd., Zhejiang Mengtex Special Materials Technology Co. Ltd., Zhejiang Weitong Composite Material Co. Ltd., Zhejiang Hailong New Materials Co. Ltd., Zhejiang Jinggong Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Zhejiang Guxiandao High Technology Co. Ltd., Anshan Sinocarb Carbon Fibers Co. Ltd., DowAksa LLC.

North America was the largest region in the aviation carbon fiber market in 2025.Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global aviation carbon fiber market report forecast period. The regions covered in the aviation carbon fiber market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the aviation carbon fiber market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The aviation carbon fiber market consists of sales of standard modulus carbon fiber, intermediate modulus carbon fiber, high modulus carbon fiber, and ultra-high modulus carbon fiber. 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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