REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

• The global market for specialty fibers was 412 million pounds in the year 2010.  This market increased to 437 million pounds in 2011, and is expected to grow to 634 million pounds by 2016, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7% for the five year period 2011 to 2016.
• The aviation/aerospace segment of the market was nearly 50 million pounds in 2010, which increased to 53 million pounds in 2011. BCC forecasts this market to reach 80 million pounds by 2016, a CAGR of 8.8%.
• The global automotive market increased from 45 million pounds in 2010 to 47 million pounds in 2011. This market is estimated to reach 63 million pounds by the end of 2016 at a CAGR of 6%.

REPORT SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of this report is to provide a detailed and comprehensive multi-client study of the North American market for carbon, aramid, partially oxidized polyacrylonitrile, polybenzimidazole, and other specialty fibers used in aircraft and aerospace, sporting goods, automotive, and other industrial products as well as the potential business opportunities in the market.  The report’s objectives include a thorough coverage of the underlying economic issues driving the specialty fiber and materials business as well as assessments of new and potential products that companies are developing.  Social, political, and regulatory issues are also covered, as are international markets.  Another important objective is to provide realistic market data and forecasts for specialty fibers.

This technology/marketing report starts with an overview of specialty fiber types including a history of fiber development and the overall composites marketplace.  The report then moves on to processing technology trends and secondary processing and fabrication methods before proceeding to a detailed assessment of markets and product applications.  This assesses the market growth, materials, production, status of commercial development, barriers to entry, and market leaders.  A comprehensive analysis of the industry structure is provided and ends with profiles of the leading specialty fiber companies.

REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY

A small yet strategic global market, specialty fibers are a critical and essential element in many advanced technologies.  The specialty fibers industry, however, has changed significantly since the last update of this report.  The financial crisis and a severe global recession particularly affected industrial and other end-use markets for specialty fibers, leading to diminished demand.  At the same time, new entrants in China and expansions by existing producers have resulted in additional capacity.  In turn, this has led to lower operating rates for many producers, a more competitive market, and pricing pressures.  These drivers will continue.  

In the long term the market for specialty fibers will expand as a result of technological advancements and strength in several end-use markets.  With the rapid changes in the industry structure and in the accelerated rise of new, expanding applications, a technology/marketing report with an updated unified view of materials and applications is needed.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

In a multi-client format, this study provides the most complete accounting of specialty fiber developments currently available.  It provides the most thorough and up-to-date assessment that can be found anywhere on the subject.  The study also provides extensive quantification of the many important facets of market developments in specific fibers.  This, in turn, contributes to the determination of what kind of strategic response suppliers may adopt in order to compete in this market.   

Audiences for this study include marketing executives, business unit managers, commercial development directors, and other decision-makers in specialty fiber companies.  Technology suppliers, fabricators and assemblers, suppliers of competing and ancillary materials, suppliers of plastic resins, end-use product manufacturing companies, and other companies peripheral to this business also represent a key audience.

SCOPE OF REPORT

The scope of this report is comprehensive, covering the present status of and future prospects for specialty fibers and products in North America.  As defined in this report, North America includes the United States and Canada.  Basically, the scope of the report includes diverse segments such as sporting goods, light vehicles, aircraft/aerospace, and various industrial applications.  Fibers covered include carbon, aramid, partially oxidized polyacrylonitrile, polybenzimidazole, and other specialty fibers (metal matrix composite, polyphenylene sulfide, boron, carbon-silicon carbide, and other advanced fibers).  

These are analyzed in detail as are technology developments, market conditions and opportunities, and 5-year forecasts.  The role of new technologies is reviewed in this comprehensive report.  This BCC Research study analyzes the current North American market in detail and identifies the most promising market opportunities for the next 5 years.  The markets in Western Europe, Japan, China, and other global markets are covered as well.

In order to generate the information necessary to construct a reasonable future market for specialty fibers, it is necessary to undertake an examination of the advantages and disadvantages of the various types of materials and technologies.  In addition to various fiber types, this examination also covers the many issues concerning the merits and future prospects of the business, including corporate strategies, technologies, and the means for providing these products and service offerings.  It also covers in detail the regulatory and economic issues that so many regard as critical to the industry’s current state of change.  The report provides a review of the specialty fibers industry and its structure, and the many companies involved in providing these materials and technologies.   The competitive position of the main players in the market and the strategic options they face are also discussed, as well as such competitive factors as marketing, distribution, and operations.

In this report, the term revenue is equivalent to, and is used interchangeably with the terms purchases, demand, and sales.  All growth rates mentioned in the tables and in the text are based on the compound annual rate of growth from 2011 through the year 2016.  In most cases, the actual quantity or volume (in pounds) is measured, and the calculated growth rates are easy to comprehend.  Because current dollar measures are used to measure revenues, these growth rates reflect the growth in volume or real growth, including the effects of price changes and changes in product/service mix.  The sum of the components in tables may not add to the total due to independent rounding.  Historical data from 2007 through 2011 are presented in the tables in this report.  Data prior to 2007 are available.  

The research methodology was qualitative in nature and employed a triangulating approach, which aids validity.  The research involved two stages, one involving secondary research and the other primary research.  

Initially, a patent search and analysis was conducted.  This strategy identified companies and market applications and was the initiating force in research direction.  Next, a comprehensive and exhaustive search of the literature on carbon, aramid, and other specialty fibers was conducted.  These secondary sources included automotive and related journals and related books, trade literature, marketing literature, other product/promotional literature, annual reports, security analyst reports, and other publications.  

In a second phase, a series of semistructured interviews were conducted with marketing executives, engineers, business unit managers, design engineers, and other personnel at the specialty fiber companies.  Other sources include academics, technology and materials suppliers, technical experts, trade association officials, government officials, and consulting companies.  These were a rich source of data.  Subsequent analysis of the documents and interview notes was iterative.

AUTHOR’S CREDENTIALS

Calvin Swift as over 20 years’ experience in competitive intelligence and industrial market research, planning, and marketing at major corporations, market research consultancies and think tanks.  He advises and briefs management about economic and industry conditions, strategic developments, and the effects of proposed developments in the light vehicle industry as well as in plastics, metals, and other materials.  The author has employed scenario analysis to investigate and research the future of industry to identify the impact of globalization, consolidation, demographics, changing industry structure, and technological innovation.  His particular interest lies in the interaction of strategy, economic and industry developments, and innovation.  He holds a BA and a master’s degree in industrial economics, and has completed other studies in business administration.

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DISCLAIMER

This publication provides informative material of a professional nature.  It does not constitute managerial, legal, or accounting advice, nor should it serve as a corporate policy guide or an endorsement of any given product or company.  This information is intended to be as accurate as possible at the time it was written and was undertaken on a best-effort basis.  The views expressed are those of the author and do not make any warranty, express or implied, for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information, or for the interpretation of data or its use by others.  Projections involve risks and uncertainties that include but are not limited to technical risks associated with technology development, government regulatory approvals, and access to capital.  The author assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages that may result from one’s reliance on this material.

RELATED REPORTS

Founded in 1971, BCC Research is known throughout the world for its technical-economic reports and services.  The company has studied major market, economic, environmental, and technological developments that have characterized industry during the past two decades to produce reports, newsletters, and conferences.   In the process, BCC has focused on advanced materials, high-technology systems and components, and novel processing methods since the development and marketing of these phenomena assert a profound influence on manufacturers and users on a worldwide scale.

BCC Research clients include almost every major corporation in the United States, Canada, Western Europe, and Japan.  Other reports of related interest to the subject of specialty fibers include:

• AVM023D Smart Materials − Technologies and Global Markets
• AVM056B Lightweight Materials in Transportation
• AVM014D Ceramic Matrix Composites − Technologies and Global Markets
• AVM028D The Friction Product and Materials Market
• AVM012D Metal Matrix Composites − The Global Market
• NAN031D Nanotechnology − A Realistic Market Assessment
• NAN043B Nanofibers − Technologies and Developing Markets
• NAN021D Nanocomposites, Nanoparticles, Nanoclays, and Nanotubes
• PLS005J EMI/RFI − Materials and Technologies
• PLS029C Composites − Resins, Fillers, Reinforcements, Natural Fibers and Nanocomposites
• PLS022B Plastics Additives − The Global Market
  The company has also conducted reports on a wide variety of other materials issues.

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