Carbon Fiber Composites in Aerospace Market Report 2025

The carbon fiber composites in the aerospace market size have grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.68 billion in 2024 to $2.91 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7%. The growth observed during the historical period can be credited to increasing demand for lightweight and fuel-efficient aircraft, expanding aircraft production, the growing necessity to cut down aircraft emissions, expanded usage of carbon fiber composites, and greater investments in research and development initiatives.

The carbon composites in the aerospace market size are expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.03 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%. The anticipated growth during the forecast period is linked to a rising preference for durable, corrosion-resistant aerospace components, increasing emphasis on boosting aircraft performance, stricter government regulations supporting sustainable aviation, escalating production of UAVs and spacecraft, and an upsurge in narrow-body aircraft production. Notable trends expected include broader integration of carbon fiber composites in key aircraft structures, technological advances improving composite properties, innovations in resin systems, enhancements in lightweight design, and progress in multi-material and hybrid composite configurations.

The rising demand for fuel-efficient aircraft is expected to propel the growth of carbon fiber composites in the aerospace market going forward. Fuel-efficient aircraft are airplanes designed to use less fuel per unit of distance or passenger carried, typically through advanced aerodynamics, lightweight materials, and efficient engines. The rising demand for fuel-efficient aircraft is due to growing environmental concerns, which have prompted airlines to seek lower carbon emissions and comply with stricter international regulations. Carbon fiber composites in aerospace significantly enhance fuel efficiency by reducing aircraft weight while maintaining strength and durability, resulting to lower fuel consumption and emissions. For instance, in June 2022, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, a US-based government agency, in April 2022, U.S. airlines consumed 1.35 billion gallons of fuel, a 29.3% increase from April 2021's 1.04 billion gallons. Therefore, rising demand for fuel-efficient aircraft is driving the carbon fiber composites in the aerospace market.

Major companies operating in the carbon fiber composites in the aerospace market are focusing on developing innovative products such as high-performance intermediate modulus (IM) carbon fibers to enhance strength and reduce weight. High-performance intermediate modulus (IM) carbon fibers are lightweight, strong fibers with a balanced stiffness and tensile strength, optimized for aerospace applications requiring improved durability and weight reduction. For instance, in March 2024, Hexcel Corporation, a US-based aerospace and defense company, introduced the HexTow IM9 24K carbon fiber. This advanced composite material, featuring 24,000 filaments, delivers an average tensile strength exceeding 6,300 MPa, a modulus of 298 GPa, and a strain of 1.9%, significantly surpassing previous standards such as IM7. Designed for high-rate manufacturing and demanding aerospace applications, the IM9 24K provides a 12% boost in tensile strength and supports enhanced productivity through its larger tow size.

In November 2024, SK Capital Partners, LP, a US-based capital market company, acquired Parker Hannifin Corporation's business as Axillon Aerospace for $2.95 billion. With this acquisition, SK Capital intends to position Axillon Aerospace as a leading provider of advanced composite and fuel containment solutions tailored for the defense and commercial aerospace markets. Axillon Aerospace, a US-based aerospace and defense company, specializes in delivering carbon fiber composites and fuel containment technologies for the aerospace sector.

Major players in the carbon fiber composites in aerospace market are Mitsubishi Chemical Group, Toray Industries Inc., Solvay S.A., DuPont de Nemours Inc., Formosa Plastics Corporation, TEIJIN LIMITED, Hexcel Corporation, SGL Carbon, Zoltek Companies Inc., BGF Industries Inc, Bally Ribbon Mills, A&P Technology Inc., FDC Composites Inc., Hyosung Advanced Materials, Clearwater Composites LLC, Kineco Limited, DowAksa, Creedx Composites, Epsilon Composite, Jiangsu Hengshen Co. Ltd.

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

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp hike in U.S. tariffs and the associated trade disputes in spring 2025 are notably impacting the aerospace and defense sector by raising costs for titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics materials largely sourced from global suppliers. Defense contractors, locked into fixed-price government contracts, absorb these added costs, while commercial aerospace firms face airline pushback on higher aircraft prices. Delays in component shipments due to customs bottlenecks further disrupt tight production schedules for jets and satellites. The industry is responding by stockpiling critical materials, seeking waivers for defense-related imports, and collaborating with allied nations to diversify supply chain.

Carbon fiber composites in aerospace refer to advanced materials formed by embedding carbon fibers within a resin matrix, resulting in a composite that is both lightweight and strong. These materials are extensively utilized in the aerospace sector due to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, resistance to corrosion, and long-lasting durability. Their use contributes to improved fuel efficiency, better structural integrity, and enhanced safety across various aircraft systems.

The primary types of carbon fiber composites in aerospace include polymer matrix composites, ceramic matrix composites, and metal matrix composites. Polymer matrix composites are created by combining a polymer resin with reinforcing fibers, which enhances their strength, stiffness, and durability. These composites are produced using methods such as hand lay-up, spray-up, resin transfer molding (RTM), and filament winding. They are commonly found in aircraft structures, aerospace components, and spacecraft, serving a wide range of end users including commercial aviation, military aviation, space exploration, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The carbon fiber composites in aerospace market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides carbon fiber composites in aerospace market statistics, including the carbon fiber composites in the aerospace industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with the carbon fiber composites in aerospace market share, detailed carbon fiber composites in aerospace market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the carbon fiber composites in aerospace market. This carbon fiber composites in aerospace 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 carbon fiber composites in aerospace market consist of sales of carbon fiber reinforced polymer panels, carbon fiber tow and prepregs, composite structural components, carbon fiber composite engine parts, and interior aerospace components. 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 and 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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