Marine Composites Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Composites (Ceramic, Metal, Polymer (By Fiber (Glass, Carbon), By Resin (Polyester, Epoxy)), By Application, And Segment Forecasts, 2019 - 2025

Industry Insights

The global marine composites market size was valued at USD 3.8 billion in 2018 and is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 5.0% from 2019 to 2025. Growing demand for corrosion-resistant, high strength, and lightweight parts in the shipbuilding industry is anticipated to drive the growth. Increasing demand for fuel-efficient and high-speed boats is expected to further fuel the market.

Composites have made good inroads in the marine sector globally owing to their excellent resistance property. Hybrid composites are used to craft racing powerboats with higher performance and enhanced driver safety. Structural elements such as bow modules, hatch covers, deckhouses, and king posts are manufactured using fiber-reinforced plastic composites. Technological innovations to minimize the manufacturing cycle time is expected to propel the demand in the marine sector. 

High-speed boats, fishing boats, ship components, naval vessels, high-capacity trawlers, and sailboats are manufactured using composite materials. Composite materials have the potential to reduce maintenance and fabrication costs, enhance aesthetic appeal, increase reliability, and reduce component weight. Prospective ship applications for composite materials are valves and strainers, shafting overwraps, gear cases, masts, stacks and foundations, propellers vanes, fans and blowers, and condenser shells.

U.S. is one of the leading markets for marine composites on account of its highly developed technology industries, skilled workforce, advanced processing capabilities, and growing R&D initiatives. Increasing demand for powerboats, sailing yachts, and cruise vessels are expected to drive the market in the country over the forecast period.

The market is also anticipated to witness significant growth opportunities in emerging regions of Asia Pacific and Central and South America, where the demand for marine composites is high owing to the growing shipbuilding industry. Countries including South Korea, China, Argentina, Brazil, and Australia are some of the potential markets, which in turn, are expected to propel the demand over the forecast period.

Composites Insights

Based on composites, the marine composites market is segmented into the Ceramic Matrix (CMC), Metal Matrix (MMC), and polymer matrix composites. PMC segment is expected to dominate the global market owing to the numerous applications and excellent properties in the marine industry. PMC offers high strength, excellent corrosion resistance, lightweight, and impact resistance, which makes it more suitable to use in shipbuilding.

PMC can be easily manufactured and has a low manufacturing cost compared to CMC and MMC. Based on fiber type, glass fiber is projected to be the largest PMC market over the forecast period. Polyester resin is anticipated to be the largest resin type segment in the overall PMC market during the forecast period. Polyester resin exhibits excellent mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Moreover, the cost of polyester resin is substantially low compared to the epoxy, and vinyl ester resins.

CMC is expected to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period. The segment accounted for 29.04% of the global market share in 2018. CMC possesses properties such as high stiffness, chemical inertness, and thermal stability, among others, which increases the application scope in marine industries.

MMC segment is anticipated to grow significantly during the forecast period owing to the properties of MMC, such as higher transverse stiffness and strength, fire resistance, no moisture absorption, and radiation resistance. The demand for MMC is expected to surpass USD 1.03 billion by 2025.

Vessel Type Insights

Based on vessel type, the market is segmented into powerboats, sailboats, cruise ships, and others. The cruise ships vessel type segment is expected to dominate the overall market, accounting for 31.35% of revenue share in 2018. The segment is projected to propel a CAGR of 4.40% over the forecast period.

Powerboat is anticipated to be one of the most significant vessel type segments and is expected to register a CAGR of 3.82% from 2019 to 2025. Powerboats are driven by engine or motor. Usually, powerboats have a higher power-to-weight ratio that allows for improved handling and higher speed. As marine composites have favorable properties, including low weight and high strength, it makes them more suitable to use in high-speed boats.

Increasing demand for high-speed and fuel-efficient power boats is expected to propel the demand over the forecast period. Some of the significant types of powerboats in which marine composites are used include racing boats, yachts, and catamarans to produce. Rudders swim ladders, hulls, deck fittings, and masts. Glass fibers composites are mostly used in the manufacturing of rudder stock components, or mast.

The demand from the sailboat vessel type segment was valued at USD 0.52 billion in 2018. In sailboats, masts are generally manufactured using carbon fiber, as they offer vessel stability and performance benefits. Whereas bow and kneel sections are manufactured using aramid fibers due to shock absorption properties.

Regional Insights

The Asia Pacific emerged as the leading regional market and accounted for 39.0% of the market share in 2018. The region is expected to witness substantial growth over the forecast period owing to the increasing demand for recreational boats. Measures taken to promote yachting as a leisure activity by China, India, and South Korea are projected to boost the demand for recreational watercraft, which in turn is expected to drive the regional market.

Europe was the second-largest market and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 3.26% over the forecast period. The European shipbuilding industry is very dynamic and competitive owing to the presence of a large number of competitors in the region. European shipbuilding has a strong position in the construction of complex vessels, submarines, and other naval vessels, which is expected to have a positive influence on the marine composites industry in the region over the forecast period.

North America is one of the mature markets and is projected to surpass USD 774.6 billion by 2025. The demand in North America is driven by the robust growth in powerboats and recreational boats owing to the high spending power in the region.

MEA and CSA are expected to showcase significant opportunities, registering a CAGR of 5.99% and 7.68% respectively over the forecast period. In recent years, the leisure, marine, and shipbuilding sector in Argentina and Brazil have been showing significant growth. Increasing purchasing power is expected to foster demand in these sectors over the forecast period.

Marine Composites Market Share Insights

The competitive rivalry among manufacturers is high as the market is characterized by the presence of a large number of global and regional players. The key players have undertaken various initiatives such as technology innovations, research and development, partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions to manufacture cost-effective and lightweight products. These initiatives are projected to propel market growth over the forecast period.

Owens Corning.; Toray Industries, Inc.; Cytec Industries (Solvay S.A.); SGL Group; Hexcel Corporation; Teijin Limited.; E. I. Du Pont Nemours & Co.; Mitsubishi Rayon Co.; Gurit Holding; 3A Composites; and Hyosung. are some of the key players engaged in the R&D and manufacturing of high-quality composites products.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report:

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels, and provides an analysis on the latest trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global marine composites market report on the basis of composite, vessel type, and region:

• Composite Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Ceramic Matrix Composites

  • Metal Matrix Composites

  • Polymer Matrix Composites

    • Polymer Matrix Composites By Fabric Type

      • Glass Fiber Marine Composites

      • Carbon Fiber Marine Composites

      • Others

    • Polymer Matrix Composites By Resin Type

      • Polyester Marine Composites

      • Vinyl Ester Marine

      • Epoxy Marine Composites

      • Thermoplastic Marine Composites

      • Others

• Vessel Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Power Boats

    • Racing Boats

    • Yachts

    • Catamarans

    • Others

  • Sailboats

  • Cruise Ships

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • Russia

    • Spain

    • U.K.

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • South Korea

    • Australia

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East And Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa