Unmanned Composites Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer, Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer), By Application (Interior, Exterior), By Region, And By Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

Unmanned Composites Market Trends

The global unmanned composites market size was estimated at USD 1.98 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.4% from 2024 to 2030. This growth is attributed to unmanned system manufacturers' increasing inclination toward using composites to reduce the overall weight. In addition, the growing environmental regulations laid down by governments of different countries initiate the use of lightweight and fuel-efficient unmanned systems. This is further expected to propel market growth.

The use of composite materials in unmanned systems is resulting in improved performance. Furthermore, advancements in the composite manufacturing process lead to enhanced performance and durability of unmanned systems. These materials provide an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, which helps increase fuel efficiency and reduce operational costs. Such factors are considered critical when choosing materials for unmanned system production.

Unmanned systems are used in several industries, such as agriculture, logistics, infrastructure inspection, defense sector, and aerospace. The defense sector highly relies on these systems, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), for reconnaissance, several operations, and surveillance. Moreover, the rapidly expanding aerospace industry worldwide, with rising emphasis on the use of high-performance and lightweight materials, is expected to increase material use in these systems.

Raw materials required to manufacture composites include polyurethane, silicone, polyamide, and others. These materials are used in other applications, including construction, coatings & adhesives, and others. The individual material markets are characterized by the presence of a large number of suppliers operating across the globe and catering to multiple application industries. However, only some composite manufacturers are integrated into their operations and manufacture high-cost raw materials, such as carbon and aramid fibers. Owing to these factors, the bargaining power of suppliers is expected to be medium over the forecast period.

The significant presence of integrated composite manufacturing companies with strong distribution networks is responsible for a high entry barrier. In addition, new players need to invest considerably in R&D due to the patented technologies owned by key manufacturers or lease the said technologies to produce composites. In addition, high initial investments are required to sustain in the composites market. Owing to these factors, the threat of new entrants is expected to be low.

Product Insights

The carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) segment dominated the market in 2023 with a revenue share of 41.8%. This is due to its characteristics, including a high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent temperature & chemical resistance, high stiffness, and low thermal expansion. In interior and exterior applications, sandwich structures made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials are widely used. CFRP composites are lightweight and have a high tensile strength. They are more fuel-efficient, require less upkeep, and help OEMs adhere to the strict environmental laws in Europe and North America.

The glass fiber-reinforced polymer product segment is expected to grow significantly from 2024 to 2030. This growth is attributed to the durability and low weight of glass fiber-reinforced polymers. These polymers can be molded into various sizes and shapes, enhancing their diverse range of applications and making them a preferable choice in manufacturing structural components of drones. In addition, increasing advancements in production methods to improve the efficiency of GFRP in unmanned systems applications are likely to support segment growth.

Application Insights

On the basis of application, the market is segmented into exterior and interior. The interior application segment accounted for the highest revenue share of 61.8% in 2023 and is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Composites are used to manufacture structural components, insulation, panels, seatings, interior compartments, conduits, and control surfaces of unmanned systems. Properties of this material, such as low weight, durability, and ability to increase performance & safety of interior parts, drive the segment's growth.

The exterior application segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.3% from 2024 to 2030. This material is used in various exterior parts of unmanned systems, such as fuselage, wings, control surfaces, rotors blades, landing gear components, external housings, engine cowlings, and external structural reinforcements. Composite usage helps construct lightweight parts with high strength, efficiency, and improved performance. Furthermore, external antennas and radomes are supposed to be constructed from lightweight material, thus not interrupting the signal transmission. This is expected to increase the use of this material in external applications of unmanned systems.

Regional Insights

The North America unmanned composites market dominated the global market with a share of 40.7% in 2023. This is due to various factors, such as high investments in defense & security, a strong technological and industrial base, and the rising use of unmanned systems in commercial applications, including logistics, environmental monitoring, and agriculture, which, in turn, is anticipated to fuel regional market's growth.

U.S. Unmanned Composites Market Trends

The unmanned composites market in the U.S. is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.4% over the forecast period. Government initiatives and regulatory support to integrate drones into different industries are expected to contribute to the rising demand for advanced composites, as these materials are essential for manufacturing lightweight and high-strength unmanned vehicles that can meet regulatory requirements.

Europe Unmanned Composites Market Trends

The Europe unmanned composites market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.4% from 2024 to 2030. The growing emphasis on innovation and research in aerospace and robotics fuels the advancements in composite materials, which are essential for enhancing the performance, durability, and efficiency of unmanned systems.

Asia Pacific Unmanned Composites Market Trends

The unmanned composites market in Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 13.9% over the forecast period. This is due to the presence of emerging countries like China, India, and Japan. These countries invest in the development of advanced technologies, including the deployment of unmanned systems for various applications, which is expected to drive the need for high-performance composite materials.

Key Unmanned Composites Company Insights

Some of the key players operating in the market includeTeijin Ltd., Toray Industries, Inc., PPG Industries, Inc., and Owens Corning:

• Teijin Ltd. was earlier known as Jinzo Kenshi Co., Ltd. It is the holding company of Teijin Group and operates through 169 subsidiaries and affiliates across the globe. The company provides a range of services and products in the fields of information & electronics, safety & protection, environment & energy, and healthcare. It operates its business across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Its operations are classified into five segments, namely advanced fibers & composites, electronics materials & performance polymer products, healthcare, trading & retail, and others

• PPG Industries, Inc. has two business segments: Performance Coatings and Industrial Coatings. Performance Coatings business segment includes the refinish, automotive, aerospace, protective and marine, and architectural businesses. The Industrial Coatings business segment includes industrial coatings, packaging coatings, coatings services, and specialty coatings and materials businesses. Its brands include COMEX, GLIDDEN, OLYMPIC, DULUX, SIKKENS, PPG PITTSBURGH PAINTS, MULCO, FLOOD, LIQUID NAILS, RENNER, TAUBMANS, WHITE KNIGHT, SICO, HOMAX, DEKORAL, TRILAK, GORI, BRISTOL and BONDEX

SGL Group, Hexcel Corporation, and Renegade Materials Corporation are some of the emerging participants in the market.

• SGL Group is formed by the merger of Germany-based SIGRI, and U.S.-based Great Lakes Carbon. It is a publicly owned company with a broad shareholder structure. It has three business segments: Carbon Fibers, Composite Solutions, Graphite Solutions, and Process Technology. It serves industries, including chemicals, textile fibers, industrial applications, energy, and mobility

• Hexcel Corp. manufactures composite materials and structural parts. It is one of the major producers of carbon fibers in the U.S. and works with more than 1,000 suppliers to provide raw materials, goods, and services. It operates in two business segments: Composite Materials and Engineered Products

Recent Developments

• In August 2023, Murugappa group's company Carborundum Universal Limited (CUMI), an India-based manufacturer of abrasives, electron minerals, industrial ceramics, and super refractories, announced its collaboration with drone manufacturer ideaForge Technology Ltd. to develop nanomaterial-reinforced composite parts for drones. The above-mentioned composites provide a wide range of possibilities, including higher specific strength or modulus, which is likely to shape the future of structural-related drone components

Unmanned Composites Market Report Scope

Global Unmanned Composites Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at regional and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest trends in each of the segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the unmanned composites market report on the basis of product, application, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer

  • Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer

  • Aramid Fiber Reinforced Polymer

  • Other Products

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Interior

  • Exterior

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • South Korea

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa