Lightweight Materials Market To Reach $339.8 Billion By 2030

Lightweight Materials Market Growth & Trends

The global lightweight materials market size is expected to reach USD 339.8 billion in 2030 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.6% from 2025 to 2030. Rising material innovation in aviation is expected to improve demand for lightweight materials. The design of an aircraft must take into consideration a number of factors, such as life-cycle cost, strength-to-weight ratio, fatigue life, fracture toughness, corrosion resistance, and reliability. The importance of these factors governs the choice of materials used in the manufacture of aircraft.

Initially, metals were used to manufacture aircraft as they provide necessary tensile strength to the aircraft. The invention of drones or fighter planes with good aerodynamic balance and fuel efficiency has led to usage of lightweight materials in the aviation industry.

The lightweight materials market is dominated by aluminum, high strength steel, and polymers & composites and are expected to continue doing so in future. Their increased application in various fields is expected to augment demand.

Currently, high strength steel and aluminum are more popular; however, polymers and composites are expected to gain more popularity on account of reduction in prices and increased production of polymers and composites.

Alumina, iron ore, nickel, rutile, and polyacrylonitrile are key raw materials used for manufacturing lightweight materials. These raw materials are further processed to obtain lightweight materials. alumina, rutile, iron ore, and nickel are naturally found in ores whereas polyacrylonitrile, which is one of the major raw materials for carbon composites, is manufactured from petroleum.

 Request a free sample copy or view report summary: Lightweight Materials Market Report

Lightweight Materials Market Report Highlights

• The polymers & composites segment accounted for a dominant revenue share of 77.3% in 2024 due to properties these materials offer, such as high strength-to-weight ratios, corrosion resistance, and application versatility

• The automotive segment accounted for the largest revenue share in the global market in 2024, highlighting the industry's focus on reducing vehicle weight to enhance fuel efficiency and lower emissions

• The energy segment is estimated to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period

• North America accounted for a significant revenue share in the global market in 2024, driven by strong demand by key industries such as aerospace and automotive

• The High Strength Steel (HSS) segment is expected to advance at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period due to a surge in demand for materials that offer enhanced strength while maintaining a relatively low weight

Lightweight Materials Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global lightweight materials market report based on product, application, and region:

Lightweight Materials Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030) (Kilo Tons)

• Aluminum

• High Strength Steel

• Titanium

• Magnesium

• Polymers & Composites

• Others

Lightweight Materials Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030) (Kilo Tons)

• Automotive

• Aviation

• Energy

• Others

Lightweight Materials Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030) (Kilo Tons)

• North America

  • U.S.

  • Canada

• Europe

  • UK

  • Germany

  • France

• Asia Pacific

  • China

  • Japan

  • India

  • Australia

  • South Korea

• Latin America

  • Brazil

  • Mexico

• Middle East and Africa

  • Saudi Arabia

  • South Africa

  • UAE

List of Key Players in Lightweight Materials Market

• SABIC

• Cytec Solvay Group

• Aleris International

• Formosa Plastics Group

• Alcoa Inc.

• PPG Industries Inc.

• Toray Industries Inc.

• Precision Castparts Corp.

• Allegheny Technologies Incorporated

• Evonik Industries

• Novelis Inc.

• Bayer AG