Global Aramid Fibre Market Size, Share & Growth Analysis - Report Forecast Trends and Outlook (2024-2032)

Global Aramid Fibre Market Growth

The global market for aramid fibres is expected to be driven by uses in multiple sectors including defence, automotive, aerospace, personal protection, etc. North America, Europe and Asia are projected to be key markets. “Aramid” stands for “aromatic polyamide”. Aromatic polyamides were first commercialised as meta-aramid fibres in the early 1960s; para-aramid fibres saw development in the 1960s and 1970s. Aramid fibres exhibit significant flexibility, strength and abrasion tolerance due to their chemical structure wherein the bonds within the chain molecules align along the fibre axis. The robust bond between comparatively short molecules offers the fibre increased strength.

Superior heat resistance, low inflammability, and superior resistance to organic solvents are other properties of aramid fibres, accelerating the aramid fibre demand growth. These properties enable several applications of aramid fibres, including air cargo containers, aquaculture nets, aramid honeycombs, armoured vehicles, ballistic protective vests, brakes, civil engineering products, composites, conveyor belts, cut-protection products, elastomer reinforcements, engineering plastics, flexible flowlines and umbilicals, friction paper, heat- and flame-resistant garments, helmets, mooring lines, optical fibre cables, parachute cords, ropes and cables, sealing materials, thermoplastic pipes, fireproof suits, tyres, etc. Major markets include aerospace, automotive, personal protection equipment, consumer products, mining, fibre optics, life protection, and ropes and cables. Common trade names for aramid fibres include Nomex and Kevlar by Dupont, and Twaron by Teijin.

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Key Trends and Recent Developments

Offering durability and strength, usage in aircraft parts manufacturing and various usage in automobiles are few factors shaping the aramid fibre market dynamics and trends.

April 2023

DuPont announced the launch of Kevlar® EXO™ aramid fibre, the largest aramid fibre innovation of 50 years, and a brand-new technology platform specifically developed in order to serve limitless applications in which performance and protection are necessary in the middle of intense and demanding conditions. Life protection will be the first of many applications of Kevlar® EXO™ that are going to propose an unparalleled combination of lightness, flexibility, and protection from an aramid fibre.

Offers durability and strength

A key trend in the aramid fibre market is that aramid fibres offer durability, lightweight strength, stiffness, and thermal and fire protection in aircraft composites, enabling enhanced fuel efficiency and decreased operating and maintenance costs. Aircraft cabin floors, overhead bins and bulkheads developed with aramid fibre honeycomb cores help in reducing weight for aircraft manufacturers. Honeycomb also exhibits low electrical conductivity and high fire resistance, helping in adhering to set safety standards. Superior thermal and sound insulation also lead to better passenger comfort.

Used in aircraft part manufacturing

Aramid fibres are also used in landing gear doors, wing boxes and control surfaces, filament-wound pressure bottles, engine nacelles, engine containment rings, aircraft tyres, rotor blades, and spacecraft.

Used in automotive parts

Aramid fibres are increasingly being used in automotive components, including filters, belts, gaskets, battery separators, etc. In NASCAR race car bodies, aramid fibre is replacing fibreglass-reinforced plastic. It is also used in the HANS Device that helps support the driver’s head and neck. Further, aramid fibre offers tyres better dimensional stability, even at higher temperatures and speeds, and superior puncture, abrasion and tear resistance, opening up new aramid fibre market opportunities.

Aramid Fibre Market Trends

Aramid fibre plays an important role in personal protection equipment (PPE) solutions. Front line workers across applications prefer aramid fibre garments as these offers better protection, are lightweight and comfortable. Aramid fibre garments are commonly found in law enforcement, emergency response and industrial manufacturing environments, propelling the aramid fibre industry growth.

Lightweight armour solutions for vehicles offer protection against ballistic attacks.  Aramid fibres offer strength to motorcycle gear, workout equipment and luggage.  In the mining industry, aramid fibres are used to build lighter, stronger and longer-lasting conveyor belts. Aramid fibres offer enhanced strength to fibre optic cables, and ropes, lines and cables.

Industry Outlook

The Expansion of the Aerospace Sector aids the Market for Aramid Fibre.

The United States ranks among one of the largest and the world's best manufacturers in aerospace. During 2023, sales revenue to the U.S. aerospace and defence industry was $952 billion. During that period, sales revenue increased by 6.7 percent relative to that of the prior year. The increase shows that the industry has been performing well and that its market is registering improvement. For every million dollars of end-use sales, four employees are supported, either at the manufacturing sector or the whole chain of production sectors, therefore immersing the very aspect of job creation and economic sustainment in the general economy.

Sales breakdown: it would be 56% of the overall revenue and equal to 537 billion dollars provided by the direct industry output, which is simply saying that the products available for end use have a high demand. The remaining 44% totaling USD 415 billion was evident of the contribution of the supply chain, which in simple terms means the high value it offers to the powerful industry. This represented an integrated supply chain that was essential for overall industry productivity and sustainability and carved a significant trend of the aramid fibre market.

Aerospace and Defense rose 4.4% to record 104.8 USD billion in 2022 from 2021. In other words, there has been an increase in the export value of United States aerospace and defence equipment. The leading export destinations this year, 2022, make up the following critical international markets: France, Canada, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The sustained interest being shown by these nations in U.S. exports of aerospace and defence is not only ample evidence of the US products' dependability.

Of this total forecast value, widebody aircraft are likely to contribute USD 2.80 trillion. This epitomises the fact that long-distance travel and cargo transport across international boundaries depend much upon widebody aircraft. Business jets are going to contribute USD 0.55 trillion owing to an upsurge in the demand for private and corporate aviation. This category is promoted by growth in high-net-worth individuals and higher demands for business travel in an efficient manner. Helicopters, valued at USD 0.17 trillion, address the medical services, oil and gas, and urban air mobility industries. Regional and turboprop aircraft, at USD 0.15 trillion, remain highly relevant to short-haul and regional connectivity. Commercial unmanned aircraft represent a relatively new market of significantly attractive growth rates, valued at approximately USD 0.06 trillion.

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Global Aramid Fibre Industry Segmentation

“Global Aramid Fibre Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

By product type, the market is segmented into:

• Para-aramid
• Meta-aramid

By end-user industry, the market is divided into:

• Safety and Protection Equipment
• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Electronics and Telecommunication
• Others

By region, the market is classified into:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Aramid Fibres Market Share

Para-Aramid Segment To Gain Popularity Due To Its Strength To Weight Ratio

As per aramid fibre market analysis, the segment of Para-aramid is likely to pick tremendous momentum on account of exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, while the durability or strength is high. The fibres of para-aramid consist of aramids of Kevlar have been leading in such industries that require high performance at higher temperatures, including aerospace, military, and automotive industries. Materials used in protective gear include the demand for bulletproof vests to state-of-the-art composites intended for light weight and with high strength. The growth of the para-aramid market segment will continue to grow as more industries have increasing requirements for advanced safety and performance materials.

Technological Development Toward Protective Clothing and Growing Demand Drive Aramid Fibre.

• Aramid fibres are well known for their superlative properties of tensile strength, heat resistance, and durability. This characteristic makes them suitable for numerous industrial applications such as in aerospace, automotive, and military gear.
• The growing demand for PPE and protective clothing in various industries has increased the demand for these fibres, thus aiding the aramid fibre industry growth.
• Owing to the continuous research and development in manufacturing aramid fibres, the quality and performance of the products improve, thereby increasing its potential for application.

High Production Cost and Economic Volatility Can Reduce the Profitability of the Manufacturers.

• As per aramid fibre industry analysis, these fibres exhibit complex and costly manufacturing processes; therefore, high production costs inhibit market growth and accessibility.
• Manufacturing aramid fibres involves chemicals that can harm the environment; hence, this may lead to regulatory challenges for the industry players.
• Highly competitive global aramid fibre market, mainly from substitute products, including carbon fibres and high-performance polymers, may reduce profitability.
• Aramid fibres bear the risk of market instability and G&D due to fluctuations in economic downturns. That has been evidenced by fluctuating industrial production and demand.
• The changes in environmental and safety legislation impact the production methods and raise the cost of compliance for manufacturers.

High Demand for Lightweight and Composites Materials Drives the Demand for Aramid Fibres.

• Fuel efficiency and weight reduction are the higher focus areas in the automotive and aerospace sectors, which are the driving force behind the lightweight substances that include aramid fibres.
• Market diversification is possible by developing newer composite materials using aramid fibres for various high-performance applications, aiding the aramid fibre market growth.

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Aramid Fibres Market Regional Analysis

The aramid fibres industry in Asia Pacific is getting a huge development opportunity from various countries owing to rapid industrialization, increased manufacturing activities, and expanding automotive and aerospace sectors, mainly from countries like China and India. Demand for high-performance materials from this region, which is more inclined toward advanced infrastructure and cohesive technological advancement, is growing. The increasing focus on the safety sector and the protective gear in industries of construction and defence are some other factors contributing to the increase in demand for aramid fibres in the Asia-Pacific region.

Competitive Landscape

Leading firms in the aramid fibre market are engaged in continual R&D to come up with superior products to offer lighter, stronger and longer-lasting solutions to address the needs of the industry. Novel, enhanced solutions offering better protection from chemical, thermal, electric, and mechanical hazards are expected to stimulate market growth.

Bluestar, a Beijing, China, based company with a foundation in 1984, through the subsidiary China National BlueStar (Group) Co., Ltd. produces para-aramid fibres for such applications as protective garments and industrial reinforcement under the trade name Newstar para-aramid fibres.

The other well-known Kevlar para-aramid fibres are made by DuPont, founded in 1802 and located in Wilmington Delaware, USA. Most of the usage of Kevlar is utilised for ballistic vests, aerospace applications, and high-performance tires since the material is able to bear strong forces. 

Hebei Silicon Valley Chemical Co. Ltd., founded in 2009 and headquartered in Shijiazhuang, China, produces para-aramid fibres available under the Huanghe brand name. Products manufactured by this firm can be used in protection gear, automobiles, and other applications requiring strength and resistance to high temperatures.

Other key players in the aramid fibre market report are Huvis, HYOSUNG, KERMEL, and Kolon Industries Inc., among others.

Competitive Factors in the Global Aramid Fibre Market:

• Investing in R&D to develop more efficient, durable, and versatile aramid fibres could help companies achieve a competitive advantage.
• Efficient manufacturing process and thereby economies of scale will help the company offer competitive pricing.
• A broad range of aramid fibre product offerings for use in diverse applications is attractive to a broad customer base. Leading brands are likely to offer high-quality, reliable aramid fibres that keep continuously attracting and retaining customers. 
• A good global distribution and supply chain network ensure timely delivery and availability of aramid fibre across different regions, therefore improving the growth of the aramid fibre market.
• The aramid fibre market also appeals to environmentally sensitive customers and, therefore, companies that adhere to strict policies to maintain a healthy environment and work in an eco-friendly manner. 
• Long-term contracts with key players from end-use industries such as automotive, aerospace, and defence will ensure stable demand.
• International trade policies, tariffs, and duties are some of the aspects which determine the price of exporting and importing aramid fibres.

Global Aramid Fibre Market: Key Demand Indicators

• Aramid fibres are made through an energy-intensive production process. Changes in energy prices, like that of electricity and fuel, have significant effects on their cost of production.
• Companies would adjust the price according to competitors' actions, goals related to market share, and need to woo or hold customers.
• Heat resistance propels the demand for aramid fibres when major industries in aerospace, automotive, defence, and electronics grow, aiding the aramid fibre market revenue.

Price Determinant Factors in the Global Aramid Fibre Market

• Raw material prices for aromatic polyamides used to manufacture aramid fibres determine the cost of production.
• Increasing wages, labour shortage, etc have the potential of raising the prices of aramid fibres.
• General state of the economy as reflected by its overall growth impacts the industrial activities and investments.
• Factors such as transportation costs, logistical challenges, and supply chain disruptions can affect the availability and cost of aramid fibres.