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Composites MarketReport:Market Developments,
Challenges, and ChancesThe European GRP market Dr. Elmar Witten (AVK)The CRP market in 2009/2010 Alfons Schuster (CCeV)
September 2010
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Table of Contents
Der Composites-Markt Europa 2010 ..................................................................................... 4
Faserverstrkte Kunststoffe: Marktzahlen und -entwicklung 2010 ................................... 4
Die Produktion Glasfaserverstrkter Kunststoffe (GFK) 2010: Gesamtentwicklung ....... 5
Tendenzielle Entwicklungen von Verfahren/Teilen ............................................................. 7
Die Anwendungsindustrien im berblick ............................................................................ 9Die GFK-Produktion 2010: Lnder-Betrachtung ............................................................... 10
Naturfaser- und kohlenstofffaserverstrkte Kunststoffe ................................................. 12
Ausblick ................................................................................................................................ 13
Image und Bekanntheit der Werkstoffe .............................................................................. 13
Nachhaltigkeit ....................................................................................................................... 14
Der CFK-Markt 2009/2010 .................................................................................................... 16
Carbonfaserverstrkte Kunststoffe: Marktzahlen und -entwicklung 2009 und 2010 ..... 16
Die CFK-Produktion 2009 und 2010: Gesamtentwicklung ............................................... 17
Trends ................................................................................................................................... 19
Die Anwendungsindustrien im berblick .......................................................................... 21
Die CFK-Produktion 2009/2010: Lnderbetrachtung ........................................................ 22
Ausblick ................................................................................................................................ 23
Literatur ................................................................................................................................. 24
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The European GRP
Market
The Autor
Dr. Elmar Witten is Managing Director of the AVK - Industrievereinigung Verstrkte Kunststoffe
(Federation of Reinforced Plastics). The AVK, as a professional association for fibre composite
plastics/composites, represents the interests of producers and processors of reinforced and filled
plastics on a national and a European level. Nationally, the AVK is one of the four pillars of the GKV -
Gesamtverband Kunststoffverarbeitende Industrie and an international member of the European
composites confederation EuCIA the European Composites Industry Association. In these
organisations, Dr. Witten represents the AVKs interests as a member of the extended management
(GKV) resp. the board (EuCIA).
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The European Composites Market in 2010Almost Recovered to the Level Seen in 2008
The 2010 market for fibre composite plastics / composites is expected to
considerably exceed predictions made in late 2009. By the end of 2010, the
entire production volume of the European market considered in this context is
likely to increase by approximately 25 % as compared to the previous year.This development reveals a surprisingly rapid recovery almost to the level
seen in 2008. However, not all companies or even all countries are profiting
from this generally positive trend in quite the same way. Growth rates may vary
considerably, depending on the areas of component application, the
production / processing techniques, and the company size. Markets continue
to be highly dynamic. On the one hand, additional growth impetus is to be
expected wherever economically efficient weight reductions may be realised.
On the other hand, the fact that market developments are so difficult to predict
means that investments that are frequently required for business expansion
are sometimes cancelled or postponed. Composites still possess an enormous
unexhausted potential in conjunction with the sustainable substitution of
traditional materials.
Fibre-Reinforced Plastics: Market Data and Market Development in2010
As in the year before, the German association AVK (Industrievereinigung Verstrkte
Kunststoffe e.V.) once again conducted a survey in 2010 in order to obtain data
regarding production volumes for fibre-reinforced plastics throughout Europe. In
order to obtain comparable data, the entire European market analysed in this
context was once more limited to those countries that are explicitly familiar to raw
materials suppliers interviewed in this context. Market data collection focused on
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glass fibres for reinforcement that are still dominating the market in quantitative
terms, being used for about 90% of the entire composites volume.
Production of Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastics (GRP) in 2010:Overall Developments
In 2010, GRP production volumes in Europe, at a total of 1.015 million tons (see Fig.1), rose by about 25 % as compared to the setback experienced in 2009, thus almost
returning to the volumes registered before the economic and financial crisis in 2008.
It should be noted, however, that data acquisition in this context primarily relies on
information supplied by producers of raw materials (resins, glass fibres). Thus, it is
possible that, following the initial tendency to deplete warehouse stocks in the early
phase of the crisis, the current unexpectedly strong growth may also be attributed
to restocking efforts. This upturn in business, however, may not yet be reflected in a
corresponding increase of production volumes at all processing companies.
In Europe there are probably 10,000 composites-processing companies with far more
than 100.000 employees. This market is specifically characterised by the fact that
most players are small or medium-sized companies with limited staff.
These companies are difficult to quantify from a statistical point of view
Besides, there are several thousands of companies acting as material suppliers,
equipment suppliers, or contractors for this segment of the plastics industry or that
are concerned only with specific individual subsegments of this branch of industry.
After last years major apprehension about the general economic decline, the
production slump, and the respective consequences, companies are now concerned
about consolidating and fortifying the improved business situation. Besides,
reactivating previously disused production capacities are now at the center of
attention, along with the expansion of production facilities.
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In addition, many companies are trying to open up new markets, exploring regional
as well as applicational options.
This development is primarily attributed to the tangible recovery of the sales markets.
In Germany, for instance, automotive production has almost regained levels not seen
since before the crisis. With some delay, utility vehicle production shows a similar
recovery. Significant growth rates are currently also experienced by the infrastructure
and wind energy sectors.
Fig. 1: GRP production volumes in Europe, itemised by techniques / components(2010* = estimated)
2010* 2010/09* 2009 2009/08 2008Kt Kt % Kt
SMC 198 23.8 160 -23.8 210
BMC 69 23.2 56 -20.0 70
SMC/BMC 267 23.6 216 -22.9 280Hand lay-up 160 30.1 123 -39.1 202
Spray-up 92 24.3 74 -28.2 103 Open mould 252 27.9 197 -35.4 305RTM 113 20.2 94 -11.3 106Sheets 72 28.6 56 -18.8 69
Pultrusion 47 20.5 39 -15.2 46
Continous processing 119 25.3 95 -15.7 115Filament winding 82 18.8 69 -12.7 79
Centrifugal casting 66 20.0 55 -11.3 62
Pipes and Tanks 148 19.4 124 -12.1 141GMT/LFT 100 33.3 75 -21.1 95
Others 16 14.3 14 -12.5 16Sum total: 1.015 24.5 815 -23.0 1,058
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Trends in the Development of Procedures / Components
The upswing in automotive production and now also lorry production - is one of the
primary reasons for the production increase of thermosetting SMC (sheet moulding
compound) and BMC (bulk moulding compound) components. During the economic
and financial crisis, BMC production also because of the less drastic decline of the
electronic sector / the electrical industry as compared to vehicle production suffered
much less than SMC production.
Processors using the comparatively less automated so-called open processes of
hand lay-up and spray lay-up - mostly small and medium-sized companies
experienced the relatively greatest impact of the crisis.
Markets for component parts with large surface areas with their low-volume
production, which were partially down, showed a certain degree of recovery, but not
to the same extent as other applications. Very small-sized processors in particular,
who are dependent on a very few products / customers, experienced most
insolvencies in 2009. Many of these companies did not succeed in gaining a durable,
unique market position and are merely trying to reduce prices. Processors who are
buying them, too, are frequently looking for the cheapest supplier (for instance in
conjunction with glass fibre products from Asia).
Production of component parts manufactured by closed RTM processes (resin
transfer moulding) held its ground relatively well during the years of the economic
crisis. Considering the general decline of the total production volume, this sector bore
up relatively well against the crisis. Somewhat below-average growth is expected for
2010. The development of RTM components is closely related to the manufacture of
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special-purpose component parts. In this context, production by closed processes is
to be preferred, either due to the quantity to be produced or because of the defined
standard component quality and/or component geometry. The wind energy sector
attained exemplary results among customer segments, experiencing an upturn in
business despite the general crisis. More considerable growth is to be expected in
this sector. German manufacturers, after all, create approximately one third of the
worldwide added value in this segment.
Pultruded GRP profiles, too not least because of the multitude of public funds
survived the crisis better than did other areas of application. In general, there are
only a few processing companies with often highly individual production processes
that are constantly on the advance.
Production of GRP plates primarily used by the utility vehicle and the construction
industry also climbed to an above-average growth rate.
Considering the significant downturn in the utility vehicle sector, this is probably due
to the increased demand throughout the construction industry. Plates, for instance,
are used in refrigerated warehouses, as facade elements, or as modules.
Growth rates in conjunction with sewer renovation based on so-called hose liners are
still up significantly. The enormous substitution potential for conventional materials in
this context is expected to continue through the next few years. Customers (usually
public authorities) who have expressed reservations about the unknown material
properties of the benefits need to be convinced of the benefits.
As confirmed by recent studies, GRP safety tanks, which have been in use for many
years, offer a number of advantages over other tank variations (for instance in
conjunction with the storage of biogenic fuels). This subsegment, too, suffered a
setback in conjunction with the overall economic decline, but held its ground
relatively well compared to the overall average. Current prognoses for 2010 indicate
a moderate increase. The focus in the immediate future will have to be on enhancing
the substitution potential.
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Thermoplastic moulding compounds and semi-finished products, just like other
procedures, depend primarily on the development of the automotive sector and are
now experiencing an above-average upturn in business. During the crisis, glass mat
reinforced thermoplastics (GMT) much more advanced in the product lifecycle
experienced more of a setback and are picking up more slowly than continuous
strand reinforced thermoplastics (LFT).
Application Industries at a Glance
Fig. 2 shows the respective contribution of each industrial sector with regard to the
application of GRP components. While applications in the transport sector and theelectrical industry / electronics picked up just slightly as compared to previous years,
the construction sector remained comparatively stable. Applications in the area of
recreation and sports show a slight downward trend. This tendency, however, may
be partially attributed to the comparatively slow growth as compared to applications
that had suffered more of a setback during the crisis.
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34%
14%36%
14% 2%
Transport Electro / Electronic
Construction Sports & Leisure
Others
Fig. 2: GRP production in Europe for different application industries (year:2010)
GRP Production in 2010, Itemised by Countries
Fig. 3 shows the respective development with regard to the total GRP productionvolume in individual European countries respectively groups of countries. The big
five - Spain, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, and France are still heading the list of
large players in the European composites market, together accounting for about
three quarters of the entire European production volume. Top growth rates were
achieved in France, Germany, and Eastern European countries, although a nationally
specific analysis based on existing numerical data is difficult in the latter case. Spain
and Portugal, on the other hand, experienced below-average growth. TheScandinavian countries are the only ones with no growth at all.
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Differences between individual countries are closely associated with the specific
development of industrial applications in each country and the related processing
techniques, not all of which felt the crunch in quite the same way. Thus, in some
countries (for instance in Scandinavia where the focus is primarily on applications in
the sector of boat building), the share of open processes is above average.
Besides, economic-political reactions to the economic crisis had a significant bearing
on this development. In Germany, for instance, a policy of reduced working hours
supported by government stimulus spending largely prevented or delayed job cuts
and layoffs, which would have been economically preferable at the time. Later on,
still existing human resources made it possible to react appropriately and quickly to
the increasing demand after the peak of the crisis.
Because of globalisation, markets in Asia in particular are expected to gain
importance for the European composites market.
On the one hand, this applies to Europeans who are customers of Chinese
production. Thus, approximately half of the major glass fibre products are already
being produced in Asia, specifically driven by China. The volume imported from
China has been on the increase for several years.
On the other hand, the same might be said of Asia as a sales market. From a global
economic viewpoint, after all, we may rely on continuing above-average growth rates
throughout the Asian domestic markets as well as regional investments especially
those that are government-funded. In contrast to Europe, the composites market in
China therefore continued to increase between 2007 and 2009 and the market
volume now exceeds that of the entire European market.
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Fig. 3: GRP production volumes in Europe, broken down by country / group ofcountries
(2010* = estimated, Eastern Europe** = Poland, the Czech Republic,Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia)
Natural Fibre-Reinforced Plastics and Carbon Fibre-ReinforcedPlastics
Many of the general statements pertaining to the GRP market, especially with regard
to the high substitution potential for other materials, also apply more or less to natural
fibre-reinforced plastics as well as carbon fibre-reinforced plastics.
On the one hand, there is a certain competition between different reinforcing fibres in
some sectors. On the other hand, completely new areas of application may beexplored due to the different material properties required for certain purposes. High-
2010* 2010/09* 2009 2009/08 2008Kt % Kt % Kt
UK / Ireland 130 23.0 106
-13.8 123Belgium / the Netherlands /Luxembourg 40 29.0 31
-18.4 38
Finland / Norway / Sweden /Denmark 50 -2.0 52
-24.6 69
Spain / Portugal 217 15.0 188
-20.3 236
Italy 154 26.0 122
-33.3 183France 116 33.0 87
-24.3 115
Germany 161 36.0 118
-18.6 145
Austria / Switzerland 16 23.0 13
0.0 13
Eastern Europe** 131 34.0 98
-27.9 136
Sum total: 1.015 24.5 815
-23.0 1,058
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performance applications that are prohibitive for GRP may, in this case, justify higher
prices for CRP because the raw materials are so much more expensive. On the other
hand, industries catering to price-oriented customer requirements (for instance in
conjunction with high volume vehicle production) are not likely to substitute GRP by
CRP any time soon.
In terms of production volume, natural fibres only account for a minor share of all
fibres used for reinforcement. They are now primarily used in automobile
construction, specifically for automobile interiors. However, new areas of application
were tapped in recent years, for instance in the consumer goods sector. The entire
segment and WPC (wood plastic composites) in particular have experienced an
ongoing upturn in business in recent years.
Outlook
The abnormal decline of composites production volumes in 2008 and 2009 caused
by the economic and financial crisis, which to this extent was unparalleled in
previous years, has come to a stop. Companies are now once more optimistic and
confident about the future, even though more long-term growth prognoses are
hazardous at best which is also true of the total economy and the entire plastics
industry. The companies will try to take advantage of existing opportunities and
capitalize on current trends. There are concrete developments now regarding the
prime challenges in this market that were already addressed in conjunction with the
2009 Market Report.
Image and Popularity of the Materials in Question
Companies have intensified their networking efforts even during the crisis, fully aware
of the fact that it is easier for all partners to join forces instead of individual
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companies going their own way. Associations were formed involving all partners in
the value-added chain who then act as a body in order to point out the benefits of
these materials and to lend credence to their statements. One of the core tasks will
be to familiarise engineers, designers, scientists, and other partners involved in
manufacturing with the advantages of the materials for specific areas of application,
to open up additional markets, and to utilise existing potentials. This requires joint,
coordinated, and elaborate strategies that are supported and implemented equally by
all market players.
Sustainability
Consumers as well as application industries are introducing ever more stringent
requirements regarding sustainable products as well as the corresponding
certification. Durable disposal and recycling concepts for the constantly increasingvolumes of fibre composite components are needed. The composites market has
made initial attempts to define how to document sustainability in a cross-company
context. AVK has compiled an initial sustainability report and is now performing
generic studies in order to develop suitable solutions regarding pertinent processing
concepts.
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The CRP Market in2009/2010
The Author
Alfons Schuster is a project architect with Carbon Composites e. V. (CCeV). CCeV is the leading
network of excellence for companies and research institutes in the southern German-speaking world
involving the entire value-added chain of fibre composite technologies. The aim is to enhance and
expand the position of these advanced technologies on a national as well as an international scale.
Fibre composite technologies are to be promoted, science and industry connected, and new markets
tapped. Marketable high-performance fibre composite structures - this is the product group CceV
focuses on.
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The CRP Market in 2009/2010
In conjunction with the global economic and financial crisis, the carbon fibre
market in keeping with the industrial context in general experienced a
setback in 2009 and is not expected to regain 2008 levels in 2010 [JEC56].
2009 was a difficult year for the entire fibre composites industry; manufacturers
of glass fibres and carbon fibres in particular felt the crunch [JEC51]. By 2011,however, the market is expected to show a tangible recovery from the
downturn, once more reaching levels seen in 2008. Prospects for the next few
years are highly promising. Prognoses for the carbon fibre market and therefore
also for the CRP market predict an above-average growth rate up until 2015,
with Europe probably satisfying about half of the worldwide demand [JEC56].
Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics: Market Data and MarketDevelopment in 2009 and 2010
Carbon fibres, as a starting material for CRP, are only produced by a very few
manufacturers worldwide. On the other hand, there is a considerable number of
component manufacturers producing a great many products that are difficult to
quantify. The various types of fibres sold may be used as a basis to estimate the
number of components produced in each segment, since very different fibre qualities
are being used for the primary areas of application in the aerospace sector, industry,
and sports and recreation. The price structure varies considerably. High-end
components for the aerospace industry may sell at about 400 US $ / kg; the industrial
sector is likely to fetch 100 US $ / kg; while sports and recreation only raise about
20 US $ / kg. The highly complex CRP component market is therefore somewhat
elusive and fibre manufacturing data are not always sufficient to allow an
assessment. In detail, quantities may vary considerably, depending on the source;
and fibre data cannot necessarily be transferred to components.
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This report focuses on the global market. In this context, market volumes are
assessed on the basis of the monetary value instead of the weight of the fibres sold
because the price structure of CRP components may vary considerably.
Production of Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastics in 2009 and 2010:Overall Developments
Carbon fibre production just like glass fibre production - hit the bottom of the
economic recession in 2009 but has picked up in the meantime. By 2011, the market
is expected to recover to levels last seen in 2008.
In the aviation industry, a segment that suffered a maximum setback during the
crisis, the production slump in the commercial aircraft sector caused a decline of
35 % in the production of carbon fibres as compared to 2008. Reduced production
quantities for Airbus A320 and A330/340 (approximately 15 % CRP percentage of
the structural weight), production delays for the Boeing B787 (approximately 50 %
CRP percentage of the structural weight), and the resulting reduction of storage
capacities brought about the 2009 decline. The situation in Europe was aggravated
by the postponement of the A400M air force cargo aircraft, which had considerable
consequences since CRP contribute approximately 38 % of the structural weight.
Since the CRP contribution to the aviation sector is supposed to increase in the next
few years (CRP probably accounting for of up to 60% of the structural weight),
prognoses for the aviation industry are definitely encouraging. The industry is
expected to fully recover by 2011 and regain levels last seen in 2008 [JEC56].
In 2009, carbon fibre production for sports and recreation - which was down by 25 %
from 2008 did not feel the crunch quite as badly as aviation. Sports and recreation
are an established market segment for CRP, showing a relatively stable
development. This sector is looking forward to a moderate growth rate, primarily
driven by China.
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New areas of application are not within sight at the moment. Despite similar
transshipment volumes, revenues are far below those realised by aviation, due to
pricing and quality requirements [JEC56].
In 2009, the industrial segment for carbon fibres experienced a 25 % drop as
compared to the previous year. In terms of quantity, the industrial sector has already
outdistanced aviation as well as the sports / recreation sectors. This segment shows
a potential for broad market penetration and therefore considerable growth. Sectorswhere growth is at an above-average level, such as wind energy, automotive
lightweight construction, or shipbuilding have a positive effect on the forecast.
As far as CRP are concerned, the long-term outlook suggests that the industrial
sector might even surpass the aviation sector in terms of revenues. Growth is now
limited since there is still considerable insecurity in many branches of industry
concerning the possibilities offered by CRP. This is getting in the way of increasing
the foreseeable substitution potentials for metal materials [JEC56]. In this case, too,
manual production of CRP component parts is the primary limiting factor. In the
automotive sector, for instance, the lack of fully automatic CRP production plants and
the relatively long cycle times compared to sheet metal are putting on the brake. The
industrial sector, too, will have to wait until 2011 to recover and return to the levels of
2008.
The carbon fibre market has a specific problem as well. The tendency among
components manufacturers to deplete warehouse stocks during the crisis
encumbered the fibre market. This effect was enhanced by the fact that market
availability of fibres in 2009 for the first time exceeded the demand [JEC51]. This put
a perspective on the necessity of maintaining high stock levels. In conjunction with
the favourable growth prognoses, this tendency may now, curiously enough, cause
the upturn in business to swing the other way. Fibre manufacturers, in turn, were
forced to postpone investments, possibly creating another shortage of carbon fibres.
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Production of CRP components, too, is beginning to pick up quickly; recovery in this
case probably occurs from a higher base, with less drastic setbacks than for fibre
manufacturing. 2010 shows a 7.5 % upturn in business, which is significantly above
the expected global economic growth of about 4 %.
At the top of the list is the pultrusion / filament winding sector, closely followed by
tape laying. Table 1 shows an overview of the production volumes for individual
procedures.
Procedure/year 2010 2009 2010/2009
Pultrusion /
Winding
2.40 2.21 +8.35%
Tape Laying 2.15 2.00 +7.43%
VAP / VARI 0.69 0.65 +7.02%
RTM / RIM 0.34 0.32 +4.91%Other 0.23 0.22 +4.91%
Sum total 5.80 5.40 +7.51%
Table 1: Worldwide production volumes in 109 Eurosfor individual procedures
in 2010 and 2009 [ACM].
Trends
Following the aviation industrys meteoric rise, which was only temporarily slowed
down by the crisis [JEC56], carbon fibre reinforced plastics are now continuing to
conquer new markets.
The wind energy segment shows a clear tendency towards ever larger and therefore
more powerful plants. By 2020, approximately 30 % of the entire power consumed in
Germany alone is to be supplied by renewable energies, and wind power stations are
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expected to play a major role in this context. The larger the plants, the more
important the rigidity of the rotor blades.
Carbon fibre materials are gaining popularity in conjunction with the belts that are
bracing the rotor blades. These belts used in a hybrid construction with glass fibre
reinforced plastics respectively carbon fibre reinforced plastics - may account for
approximately 12 % of the blade weight without incurring any technical risks. A single
40 meter rotor blade may accommodate up to 1250 kilograms of CRP. Thanks to theanticipated tripling of the global market for wind energy plants during the next ten
years, this is a gigantic market with a great future [LCC].
As far as the automotive construction industry is concerned, there are no particular
prospects on the horizon right now with regard to conquering markets beyond those
of racing or the upper price segments. Thus, institutes and companies are searching
for and researching manufacturing processes capable of series production for this
market segment, an effort that is driven by the need for electrically powered vehicles.
The decisive argument for the customer is still the quality of riding pleasure. The
point is to compensate for an additional weight of several hundred kilograms, even
with most advanced battery and propulsion technology. Manual operation (which is
still quite common), insufficient industrialisation, and automation of the processes as
well as the resulting high individual costs are considered to impede the progress of
series production [AUD1]. This is a demanding task, considering that the aim is to
industrialise a heterogeneous overall process while reducing cycle times, material
expenses, and post-processing expenditures, for instance in conjunction with paint
application, by 50 - 90 % [AUD2]. The joint venture between BMW and SGL Group is
a pioneer project in this context that will force competitors hands and cause
additional projects to be launched. The emission-free electrically powered vehicle for
urban areas named Megacity Vehicle is expected to come out in 2013 [KK].
Recently published studies by production planning experts are optimistic. According
to these reports, add-on parts may already be produced by available techniques in
lean production at attractive pricdes in large-batch production [MM]. In addition, there
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are efforts to reduce the relatively long curing times for thermosetting materials to
less than five minutes by using thermoplastic materials and special procedures
[LWD].
Application Industries at a Glance
The diagram allocating CRP components to individual application industries shows
only marginal changes as compared to 2009. In 2010, the total volume shows a
7.5 % increase to 5.8 x 109 Eurosworldwide, Western Europe accounting for 2.0 x
109 Euros. This upswing is encouraging for all areas of application - aviation and
windpower heading the list with growth rates of 9.8 % and 9.7 %, respectively.
Bringing up the rear is the sports sector with 4.2 % increase. This shows that markets
recovering from a lower base are also picking up faster.
Aviation / wind power / vehicle / industry / medical sector / sports / other
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Figure 1: Worldwide production volumes of CRP components in 2010, targeted
for different areas of application (total global volume: 5.8 x 109 Euros, Western
Europe: 2.0 x 109 Euros)
CRP Production in Different Countries in 2009/2010
The total global CRP production volume is distributed as shown in Asian-Pacificregion / Western Europe / North America / Japan / RestFigure 2, revealing a noticeable increase by 7.5 % on the average from the 2009
crisis. Western Europe (at a plus of 8.6 %) is number one, followed by North America
(7.7 %) and Japan (7.0 %).
Although Carbon Composites e. V. does not possess a more details analysis of the
European market at the moment, this topic is to be addressed next year.
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Asian-Pacific region / Western Europe / North America / Japan / Rest
Figure 2: Geographic distribution of the CRP market in 2010 [ACM].
Outlook
After its collapse in 2009, the CRP market is clearly recovering in 2010. It hit the
bottom of the economic recession but has picked up significantly in the meantime. By
2011, the market is expected to recover to levels last seen in 2008. The long-term
predicted annual growth of the global market between 2013 and 2018 is 12.0 %; up
until 2015, market revenues may more or less double to about 14 x 109 Euros from
2009 [ACM]. Thus, the industry is now facing a limited phase with less revenues
and should not forget to invest in the future. After all, if the demand increases quite
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as drastically as anticipated, new, quick automatic production techniques will be
needed to satisfy the need. The crisis has come to an end and the market is going to
pick up soon.
Owing to the predicted high growth rates in all market segments, it is important to
address recycling questions as soon as possible so as to efficiently cope with future
CRP waste. In the aviation sector as well as in wind energy, reutilisation of CRP or
GRP is still uncommon. Although alternative strategies are available, energyproduction and recovery is currently the state of the art. The volumes produced now
do not yet constitute a major problem. In the automotive sector, on the other hand,
CRP is competing with aluminium and steel. Both are excellent materials from an
ecological point of view, since they may be molten down and reused practically
indefinitely. Long-term sustainable solutions are to be found regarding the predicted
growth of the fibre composite market. Initial attempts have been made. In Stade, for
instance, a CRP Recycling Center the first of its kind in Europe is being built in
conjunction with a research and development project. This location is targeted for the
commercial material recycling of waste materials containing carbon fibres.
All of this shows a medium-term to long-term trend towards the development of
sustainable recycling technologies.
Literature
[JEC51]: Carbon fibre: investing cautiously, JEC Composites Magazine No. 51, September 2009
[JEC56]: Positive forecast for the carbon-fibre market, JEC Composites Magazine No. 56, April 2010[ACM]: World Carbon Fiber Composite Market, Acmite Market Intelligence, July 2010
[LCC]: Prof. Klaus Drechsler (LCC TU-Mnchen), CRP-Technologie im Automobilbau: Was man
von anderen Mrkten lernen kann [CRP technology in automotive construction: learning
from other markets], lecture at the CCeV-Automotive Forum on 24 June, 2010 in
Neckarsulm, available under http://www.carbon-
composites.eu/tempdats/files_content/1002.pdf
[MM]: Monika Zwettler, Mit schlanker Produktion werden auch die Karosserien leichter [lean
production makes for more light-weight bodywork, too],
-
8/3/2019 European Composites Market
25/25
http://www.maschinenmarkt.vogel.de/themenkanaele/automatisierung/
fertigungsautomatisierung_prozessautomatisierung/articles/277705/ , 23 August, 2010
[LWD]: Katrin Pudenz, Forscher machen thermoplastische Faserverbundbauteile serientauglich
[researchers are making thermoplastic fibre composite components capable of series
production] , http://www.lightweight-design.de/
index.php;do=show/alloc=135/id=12194/site=lwd/sid=4212da7e913b2f54a473c9af5ce4adad
, 23 August, 2010
[AUD1]: Michael Dick (AUDI AG), Leichtbau with CRP Herausforderungen fr die Mobilitt der
Zukunft [Lightweight construction with CRP a future mobility challenge], lecture at the
CCeV-Automotive Forum on 24 June, 2010 in Neckarsulm, available under
http://www.carbon-composites.eu/tempdats/files_content/1015.pdf
[AUD2]: Heinrich Timm (AUDI AG), Wo liegt der Bedarf fr CFK im Automobilbau?" [where is the
need for CRP in automotive construction?], lecture at the CCeV-Automotive Forum on 24
June, 2010 in Neckarsulm, available under http://www.carbon-
composites.eu/tempdats/files_content/1003.pdf
[KK]: Leichtbau fr Elektromobilitt [lightweigt contruction for electrically powered vehicles],
http://www.k-zeitung.de/home/branche/news-detail/news/6/1280833800leichtbau-fr-Elektromobilitt/, 23. 8. 2010