Comparing 13 vendors in Long Fiber Thermoplastics across 0 criteria.

Market Presence
Contenders Contenders
Market Leaders Market Leaders
Emerging Companies Emerging Companies
Innovators Innovators
Avient
MCGC
Solvay
BASF
Sumitomo Chemical
LANXESS
RTP COMPANY
Dieffenbacher
SABIC
Daicel Polymers
Xiamen LFT Composite
SGL Carbon
Celanese
Product Footprint
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POWERED BY MARKETSANDMARKETS
Dec 13, 2024
 
Summary

The Long Fiber Thermoplastics Companies quadrant is a comprehensive industry analysis that provides valuable insights into the global market for Long Fiber Thermoplastics. This quadrant offers a detailed evaluation of key market players, technological advancements, product innovations, and emerging trends shaping the industry. MarketsandMarkets 360 Quadrants evaluated over 30 Long Fiber Thermoplastics Companies of which the Top 13 Long Fiber Thermoplastics Companies were categorized and recognized as the quadrant leaders.

Long fiber thermoplastics (LFTs) are composite materials comprising the thermoplastic polymer matrix and discontinuous reinforcement fibers with a length-to-a-diameter-aspect-ratio greater than the critical aspect ratio. These composites have been widely used in various applications due to their superior mechanical properties, excellent processability, low density, recyclability, low cost, and excellent corrosion resistance.

The 360 Quadrant efficiently maps the Long Fiber Thermoplastics companies based on criteria such as revenue, geographic presence, growth strategies, investments, channels of demand, and sales strategies for the market presence of the Long Fiber Thermoplastics quadrant. While the top criteria for product footprint evaluation included Fiber (Glass, Carbon, Others), Resin (Polyamide (PA), Polypropylene (PP), Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK), Polyphthalamide (PPA), Others), Manufacturing Process (Injection Molding, Pultrusion, Direct-LFT (D-LFT), Others), End-Use Industries (Automotive, Electrical & Electronics, Consumer Goods, Sporting Goods, Others).

Key trends highlighted in 360 Quadrants:

  • The market size for long fiber thermoplastics (LFT) is anticipated to experience robust growth over the coming years. It is projected to increase from USD 3.5 billion in 2022 to USD 6.1 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.3% during this period.
  • The key factor driving the expansion of the LFT market and creating growth opportunities for long fiber thermoplastics companies is the rising demand for high performance materials offering properties such as high strength-to-weight ratios, good tensile strength, and electrical conductivity. The demand for LFT is increasing across end-use industries like automotive and electrical & electronics. In the automotive sector, LFT is being used for parts including bumpers and instrument panels due to its lightweighting and performance benefits over conventional materials. The electrical & electronics industry is also increasingly adopting LFT for applications such as enclosures and brackets. With rising consumption across these key end-use segments, the LFT market is poised for strong growth over the near term.
  • In 2023, injection molding showed its versatility as the leading manufacturing process for long fiber thermoplastics, capturing a substantial 73% market share, followed by the pultrusion process and D-LFT Process. This dominant position demonstrates the injection molding process's ability to efficiently produce high-quality, fiber-reinforced thermoplastic components at high volumes for major industries like automotive and electrical/electronics. Owing to its speed, consistency, and applicability to various materials, injection molding is likely to continue playing a key role in manufacturing innovative long fiber thermoplastic products that meet the needs of diverse markets and is therefore gaining the attention of various long fiber thermoplastics companies.
  • The polypropylene (PP) resin led the long fiber thermoplastics market with a substantial 61.5% share, highlighting its versatility and cost-effectiveness for automotive applications in 2023. PP's lower density compared to engineering plastics allows it to contribute to improved fuel economy and reduced emissions. When reinforced with glass or carbon fibers, PP also provides electrical resistance and lightweight strength for manufacturing electronic components.
  • Looking ahead, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin represents an area of emerging potential for long fiber thermoplastics companies seeking lightweight material substitutions across end-use segments. With its well-rounded performance properties including electrical and chemical resistance, thermal stability, and more, PBT can serve as an appealing option to meet diverse application requirements while enabling lightweighting benefits crucial for sectors such as automotive. Through ongoing innovation in resin technologies, long fiber thermoplastic producers have an expanding material palette at their disposal to optimize properties and address the needs of various markets. As advances in PBT resins and other novel materials progress, long fiber thermoplastics companies can leverage these developments to engineer creative solutions that deliver robust performance with lightweight, sustainable design.
  • The versatility of long fiber thermoplastics stems from the wide range of fiber options available to meet different performance needs. Glass fiber leads among fiber types, with its optimal blend of mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and insulating properties that make it the predominant choice for automotive and electrical/electronic applications. From structural body panels to sound-dampening shields, glass fiber enables lightweight yet sturdy thermoplastic components.
  • While currently more specialized, carbon fiber presents exciting potential for high-end sectors like aerospace and sports equipment as it becomes more accessible. With continued fiber technology advancements and innovative combinations, long fiber thermoplastics companies can leverage the diverse fiber landscape to customize materials for an expanding array of applications. The possibilities are wide open thanks to the array of fiber types that can be leveraged to enhance properties.
  • The long fiber thermoplastics market shows exciting growth potential, especially in Europe and Asia Pacific. In 2023, Europe took the lead with a 33.0% global market share, demonstrating strong demand in the region. Europe is poised for continued expansion at an impressive 9.3% CAGR between 2022-2027. Meanwhile, Asia Pacific holds a substantial 30.3% market share currently, positioning it as the second largest market globally based on volume. With long fiber thermoplastics gaining traction across major economies like Europe and Asia, long fiber thermoplastics companies can leverage these high-growth regions to drive innovation, identify new applications, and take advantage of increasing adoption rates. If current trends persist, Europe and Asia Pacific will remain pivotal markets fueling the advancement of long fiber thermoplastics worldwide. The landscapes in these regions present promising opportunities for manufacturers and end-use industries alike.
  • The long fiber thermoplastics market displays healthy competition, with a mix of established global leaders and emerging regional players working to meet growing demand worldwide. Major long fiber thermoplastics companies like Celanese, SABIC, LANXESS, and Solvay leverage their resources and expertise to solidify their presence across different geographies and applications. At the same time, agile regional players are identifying unique opportunities to serve their local markets. This diverse combination of global corporations and regional specialists drives innovation as well as geographic expansion.
  • With major investment in R&D and production capabilities, leading enterprises continue advancing long fiber thermoplastic solutions. The competitive landscape creates an environment for technological improvements while ensuring end users can access these next-generation materials on a global scale. Overall, the dynamic marketplace paves the way for breakthroughs and expanded adoption that will catalyze future growth. For instance, demonstrating the innovation in advanced mobility applications, Celanese Corporation announced in June 2023 that it would be showcasing an expanded portfolio of advanced materials and systems. Among the highlights were an All-in-1 battery module prototype utilizing tab cooling, structural thermoplastic cooling channels and an electrical connection plate. Also featured was a Hybrid thermoplastic/aluminum cooling plate. Through these and other developments, Celanese aims to accelerate innovation for next-generation mobility solutions. The expanded portfolio highlights the company's commitment to leveraging its materials expertise and design capabilities to enable automotive electrification.

 
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Long fiber thermoplastics (LFTs) are a type of composite material comprised of long reinforcing fibers embedded in a thermoplastic polymer matrix. LFTs are manufactured through processes like pultrusion and injection molding that orient and preserve the length of reinforcing fibers, typically 0.25-1 inch long. Common reinforcing fibers include glass, carbon, and aramid, while typical thermoplastic matrices are polypropylene, nylon, polycarbonate, polyethylene, and PEEK. The long fiber lengths enable efficient stress transfer from the polymer to the fibers, giving LFTs superior mechanical properties like strength and stiffness compared to unreinforced thermoplastics or short fiber composites. With advantages such as high strength-to-weight ratios, corrosion resistance, fatigue resistance, and the ability to mold complex parts, LFTs are widely used in automotive, aerospace, sporting goods, electronics, and industrial components where lightweight and high performance are required. The combination of thermoplastic matrices and long reinforcements make LFTs a versatile, high-strength composite material.
Long fiber thermoplastics are manufactured primarily through two processes: Pultrusion - This is a continuous process where reinforcing fibers are pulled through a resin bath to saturate them with melted thermoplastic material. The impregnated fibers are then continuously drawn through a die to form a specific shape. After cooling and solidifying, the pultruded material is cut into pellets for further processing. Injection molding - The pellets created through pultrusion contain long, discontinuous fibers. These pellets are heated until the thermoplastic matrix softens, then injected into a mold to form a part. The long fibers are randomly oriented within the molded part. Injection molding enables high production rates of complex parts. The key advantage of these manufacturing processes is that they preserve a significant portion of the initial long fiber length, unlike processes used for short fiber reinforced thermoplastics. The long fibers enable superior strength and stiffness properties compared to short fiber versions. Fiber lengths over 1 inch can be maintained using best practices. The fiber orientation and degree of dispersion also impact mechanical properties of the finished parts.
The fundamental distinction between short fiber and long fiber composites lies in the length of the reinforcing fibers used in composite materials. Short fiber composites typically employ fibers less than one millimeter in length, randomly distributed within the matrix. While short fibers can enhance certain material properties, such as stiffness and strength, the improvements are relatively modest. In contrast, long fiber composites (LFTs) utilize fibers with lengths typically exceeding five millimeters, often aligned within the matrix. This extended fiber length and alignment contribute to superior mechanical properties, including higher tensile strength and stiffness. Consequently, LFTs are favored in industries like automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing, where elevated performance and durability are paramount. Short fiber composites, on the other hand, find utility in applications where cost considerations are critical, and moderate improvements suffice.
Common long fiber thermoplastics include glass fiber reinforced polypropylene, nylon, polyethylene, polycarbonate, and PEEK. These offer high strength and modulus compared to unreinforced plastics.
Key industries using long fiber thermoplastics are automotive, aerospace, electronics, industrial machinery, and consumer products. Applications include structural parts, housings, gears, and more.
Yes, natural fibers like flax, hemp, jute, and kenaf are options for reinforcing thermoplastics like polypropylene to create more sustainable composites. Strength is lower than glass fiber.
Most long fiber thermoplastics are recyclable, especially if regrinding reclaimed parts into pellets. Fiber length decreases with recycling. Reintroducing pellets reduces raw material use.
Challenges may include fiber alignment issues during processing, potential for fiber breakage, and achieving uniform dispersion. Manufacturers address these challenges through careful design, processing optimization, and quality control measures.
LFT materials play a crucial role in aerospace by providing lightweight solutions without compromising structural integrity. This is essential for reducing overall aircraft weight, improving fuel efficiency, and meeting stringent performance requirements.
Molding options include injection molding, compression molding, thermoforming, and extrusion depending on the required part size and shape, production volume, and fiber length.
 
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360 Quadrants

360 Quadrants is a scientific research methodology by MarketsandMarkets to understand market leaders in 6000+ micro markets

360 Quadrants

360 Quadrants is a scientific research methodology by MarketsandMarkets to understand market leaders in 6000+ micro markets

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