Armor Materials Global Market Report 2024

The armor materials market has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $12.3 billion in 2023 to $13.2 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%. The growth observed in the historical period can be attributed to several factors, including military conflicts and warfare, heightened attention towards ensuring soldier safety, adherence to regulatory standards and requirements, strategic shifts in geopolitical landscapes, and the increasing need for safeguarding vehicles and equipment.

The armor materials market is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $16.87 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. Anticipated growth in the forecast period is expected due to the uptick in defense expenditure, escalating security threats, a pronounced emphasis on soldier protection, a shift towards urban warfare strategies, and the implementation of military modernization programs.

The rising menace of terrorism is poised to drive growth within the armor material market in the foreseeable future. Terrorism denotes violent acts posing a threat to others while showing blatant disregard for potential harm. Robust armor materials serve as protective barriers against projectiles such as knives, bullets, and shell fragments, crucial during terrorist assaults or critical scenarios. Consequently, the surging terrorist threat amplifies the demand for armor materials. Notably, a report by The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) indicated a significant escalation in terrorist acts and conspiracies in the United States, soaring from 2% in 2019 to 53% in 2021, with 43% of these assaults targeting government, armed forces, and law enforcement. Thus, the mounting terrorist threat drives the expansion of the armor material market.

The escalation of geopolitical tensions is expected to fuel the growth of the armor materials market in the forthcoming period. Geopolitical tensions involve conflicts or disputes among nations, often linked to issues such as territory, resources, power, or ideology. Heightened tensions commonly prompt increased defense budgets, enabling nations to allocate more resources to address security concerns. This surge in funding facilitates the development and acquisition of cutting-edge defense technologies, particularly advanced armor materials. Governments often invest in research and development endeavors aimed at creating innovative materials offering superior protection against evolving threats. For instance, data from The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) showcased a 12% rise in reported events of political violence targeting civilians from 2020 to 2021, with an 8% increase in civilian fatalities. Hence, the mounting geopolitical tensions drive the growth 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 report are 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 2023. 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.

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 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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