European Composites Market

8/3/2019 European Composites Market

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Composites MarketReport:Market Developments,

Challenges, and ChancesThe European GRP market Dr. Elmar Witten (AVK)The CRP market in 2009/2010 Alfons Schuster (CCeV)

September 2010


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13 September, 2010 Page 2/25 Dr. Elmar Witten

Table of Contents

Der Composites-Markt Europa 2010 ..................................................................................... 4

Faserverstrkte Kunststoffe: Marktzahlen und -entwicklung 2010 ................................... 4

Die Produktion Glasfaserverstrkter Kunststoffe (GFK) 2010: Gesamtentwicklung ....... 5

Tendenzielle Entwicklungen von Verfahren/Teilen ............................................................. 7

Die Anwendungsindustrien im berblick ............................................................................ 9Die GFK-Produktion 2010: Lnder-Betrachtung ............................................................... 10

Naturfaser- und kohlenstofffaserverstrkte Kunststoffe ................................................. 12

Ausblick ................................................................................................................................ 13

Image und Bekanntheit der Werkstoffe .............................................................................. 13

Nachhaltigkeit ....................................................................................................................... 14

Der CFK-Markt 2009/2010 .................................................................................................... 16

Carbonfaserverstrkte Kunststoffe: Marktzahlen und -entwicklung 2009 und 2010 ..... 16

Die CFK-Produktion 2009 und 2010: Gesamtentwicklung ............................................... 17

Trends ................................................................................................................................... 19

Die Anwendungsindustrien im berblick .......................................................................... 21

Die CFK-Produktion 2009/2010: Lnderbetrachtung ........................................................ 22

Ausblick ................................................................................................................................ 23

Literatur ................................................................................................................................. 24


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The European GRP

Market

The Autor

Dr. Elmar Witten is Managing Director of the AVK - Industrievereinigung Verstrkte Kunststoffe

(Federation of Reinforced Plastics). The AVK, as a professional association for fibre composite

plastics/composites, represents the interests of producers and processors of reinforced and filled

plastics on a national and a European level. Nationally, the AVK is one of the four pillars of the GKV -

Gesamtverband Kunststoffverarbeitende Industrie and an international member of the European

composites confederation EuCIA the European Composites Industry Association. In these

organisations, Dr. Witten represents the AVKs interests as a member of the extended management

(GKV) resp. the board (EuCIA).


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The European Composites Market in 2010Almost Recovered to the Level Seen in 2008

The 2010 market for fibre composite plastics / composites is expected to

considerably exceed predictions made in late 2009. By the end of 2010, the

entire production volume of the European market considered in this context is

likely to increase by approximately 25 % as compared to the previous year.This development reveals a surprisingly rapid recovery almost to the level

seen in 2008. However, not all companies or even all countries are profiting

from this generally positive trend in quite the same way. Growth rates may vary

considerably, depending on the areas of component application, the

production / processing techniques, and the company size. Markets continue

to be highly dynamic. On the one hand, additional growth impetus is to be

expected wherever economically efficient weight reductions may be realised.

On the other hand, the fact that market developments are so difficult to predict

means that investments that are frequently required for business expansion

are sometimes cancelled or postponed. Composites still possess an enormous

unexhausted potential in conjunction with the sustainable substitution of

traditional materials.

Fibre-Reinforced Plastics: Market Data and Market Development in2010

As in the year before, the German association AVK (Industrievereinigung Verstrkte

Kunststoffe e.V.) once again conducted a survey in 2010 in order to obtain data

regarding production volumes for fibre-reinforced plastics throughout Europe. In

order to obtain comparable data, the entire European market analysed in this

context was once more limited to those countries that are explicitly familiar to raw

materials suppliers interviewed in this context. Market data collection focused on


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glass fibres for reinforcement that are still dominating the market in quantitative

terms, being used for about 90% of the entire composites volume.

Production of Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastics (GRP) in 2010:Overall Developments

In 2010, GRP production volumes in Europe, at a total of 1.015 million tons (see Fig.1), rose by about 25 % as compared to the setback experienced in 2009, thus almost

returning to the volumes registered before the economic and financial crisis in 2008.

It should be noted, however, that data acquisition in this context primarily relies on

information supplied by producers of raw materials (resins, glass fibres). Thus, it is

possible that, following the initial tendency to deplete warehouse stocks in the early

phase of the crisis, the current unexpectedly strong growth may also be attributed

to restocking efforts. This upturn in business, however, may not yet be reflected in a

corresponding increase of production volumes at all processing companies.

In Europe there are probably 10,000 composites-processing companies with far more

than 100.000 employees. This market is specifically characterised by the fact that

most players are small or medium-sized companies with limited staff.

These companies are difficult to quantify from a statistical point of view

Besides, there are several thousands of companies acting as material suppliers,

equipment suppliers, or contractors for this segment of the plastics industry or that

are concerned only with specific individual subsegments of this branch of industry.

After last years major apprehension about the general economic decline, the

production slump, and the respective consequences, companies are now concerned

about consolidating and fortifying the improved business situation. Besides,

reactivating previously disused production capacities are now at the center of

attention, along with the expansion of production facilities.


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In addition, many companies are trying to open up new markets, exploring regional

as well as applicational options.

This development is primarily attributed to the tangible recovery of the sales markets.

In Germany, for instance, automotive production has almost regained levels not seen

since before the crisis. With some delay, utility vehicle production shows a similar

recovery. Significant growth rates are currently also experienced by the infrastructure

and wind energy sectors.

Fig. 1: GRP production volumes in Europe, itemised by techniques / components(2010* = estimated)

2010* 2010/09* 2009 2009/08 2008Kt Kt % Kt

SMC 198 23.8 160 -23.8 210

BMC 69 23.2 56 -20.0 70

SMC/BMC 267 23.6 216 -22.9 280Hand lay-up 160 30.1 123 -39.1 202

Spray-up 92 24.3 74 -28.2 103 Open mould 252 27.9 197 -35.4 305RTM 113 20.2 94 -11.3 106Sheets 72 28.6 56 -18.8 69

Pultrusion 47 20.5 39 -15.2 46

Continous processing 119 25.3 95 -15.7 115Filament winding 82 18.8 69 -12.7 79

Centrifugal casting 66 20.0 55 -11.3 62

Pipes and Tanks 148 19.4 124 -12.1 141GMT/LFT 100 33.3 75 -21.1 95

Others 16 14.3 14 -12.5 16Sum total: 1.015 24.5 815 -23.0 1,058


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Trends in the Development of Procedures / Components

The upswing in automotive production and now also lorry production - is one of the

primary reasons for the production increase of thermosetting SMC (sheet moulding

compound) and BMC (bulk moulding compound) components. During the economic

and financial crisis, BMC production also because of the less drastic decline of the

electronic sector / the electrical industry as compared to vehicle production suffered

much less than SMC production.

Processors using the comparatively less automated so-called open processes of

hand lay-up and spray lay-up - mostly small and medium-sized companies

experienced the relatively greatest impact of the crisis.

Markets for component parts with large surface areas with their low-volume

production, which were partially down, showed a certain degree of recovery, but not

to the same extent as other applications. Very small-sized processors in particular,

who are dependent on a very few products / customers, experienced most

insolvencies in 2009. Many of these companies did not succeed in gaining a durable,

unique market position and are merely trying to reduce prices. Processors who are

buying them, too, are frequently looking for the cheapest supplier (for instance in

conjunction with glass fibre products from Asia).

Production of component parts manufactured by closed RTM processes (resin

transfer moulding) held its ground relatively well during the years of the economic

crisis. Considering the general decline of the total production volume, this sector bore

up relatively well against the crisis. Somewhat below-average growth is expected for

2010. The development of RTM components is closely related to the manufacture of


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special-purpose component parts. In this context, production by closed processes is

to be preferred, either due to the quantity to be produced or because of the defined

standard component quality and/or component geometry. The wind energy sector

attained exemplary results among customer segments, experiencing an upturn in

business despite the general crisis. More considerable growth is to be expected in

this sector. German manufacturers, after all, create approximately one third of the

worldwide added value in this segment.

Pultruded GRP profiles, too not least because of the multitude of public funds

survived the crisis better than did other areas of application. In general, there are

only a few processing companies with often highly individual production processes

that are constantly on the advance.

Production of GRP plates primarily used by the utility vehicle and the construction

industry also climbed to an above-average growth rate.

Considering the significant downturn in the utility vehicle sector, this is probably due

to the increased demand throughout the construction industry. Plates, for instance,

are used in refrigerated warehouses, as facade elements, or as modules.

Growth rates in conjunction with sewer renovation based on so-called hose liners are

still up significantly. The enormous substitution potential for conventional materials in

this context is expected to continue through the next few years. Customers (usually

public authorities) who have expressed reservations about the unknown material

properties of the benefits need to be convinced of the benefits.

As confirmed by recent studies, GRP safety tanks, which have been in use for many

years, offer a number of advantages over other tank variations (for instance in

conjunction with the storage of biogenic fuels). This subsegment, too, suffered a

setback in conjunction with the overall economic decline, but held its ground

relatively well compared to the overall average. Current prognoses for 2010 indicate

a moderate increase. The focus in the immediate future will have to be on enhancing

the substitution potential.


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Thermoplastic moulding compounds and semi-finished products, just like other

procedures, depend primarily on the development of the automotive sector and are

now experiencing an above-average upturn in business. During the crisis, glass mat

reinforced thermoplastics (GMT) much more advanced in the product lifecycle

experienced more of a setback and are picking up more slowly than continuous

strand reinforced thermoplastics (LFT).

Application Industries at a Glance

Fig. 2 shows the respective contribution of each industrial sector with regard to the

application of GRP components. While applications in the transport sector and theelectrical industry / electronics picked up just slightly as compared to previous years,

the construction sector remained comparatively stable. Applications in the area of

recreation and sports show a slight downward trend. This tendency, however, may

be partially attributed to the comparatively slow growth as compared to applications

that had suffered more of a setback during the crisis.


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34%

14%36%

14% 2%

Transport Electro / Electronic

Construction Sports & Leisure

Others

Fig. 2: GRP production in Europe for different application industries (year:2010)

GRP Production in 2010, Itemised by Countries

Fig. 3 shows the respective development with regard to the total GRP productionvolume in individual European countries respectively groups of countries. The big

five - Spain, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, and France are still heading the list of

large players in the European composites market, together accounting for about

three quarters of the entire European production volume. Top growth rates were

achieved in France, Germany, and Eastern European countries, although a nationally

specific analysis based on existing numerical data is difficult in the latter case. Spain

and Portugal, on the other hand, experienced below-average growth. TheScandinavian countries are the only ones with no growth at all.


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Differences between individual countries are closely associated with the specific

development of industrial applications in each country and the related processing

techniques, not all of which felt the crunch in quite the same way. Thus, in some

countries (for instance in Scandinavia where the focus is primarily on applications in

the sector of boat building), the share of open processes is above average.

Besides, economic-political reactions to the economic crisis had a significant bearing

on this development. In Germany, for instance, a policy of reduced working hours

supported by government stimulus spending largely prevented or delayed job cuts

and layoffs, which would have been economically preferable at the time. Later on,

still existing human resources made it possible to react appropriately and quickly to

the increasing demand after the peak of the crisis.

Because of globalisation, markets in Asia in particular are expected to gain

importance for the European composites market.

On the one hand, this applies to Europeans who are customers of Chinese

production. Thus, approximately half of the major glass fibre products are already

being produced in Asia, specifically driven by China. The volume imported from

China has been on the increase for several years.

On the other hand, the same might be said of Asia as a sales market. From a global

economic viewpoint, after all, we may rely on continuing above-average growth rates

throughout the Asian domestic markets as well as regional investments especially

those that are government-funded. In contrast to Europe, the composites market in

China therefore continued to increase between 2007 and 2009 and the market

volume now exceeds that of the entire European market.


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Fig. 3: GRP production volumes in Europe, broken down by country / group ofcountries

(2010* = estimated, Eastern Europe** = Poland, the Czech Republic,Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia)

Natural Fibre-Reinforced Plastics and Carbon Fibre-ReinforcedPlastics

Many of the general statements pertaining to the GRP market, especially with regard

to the high substitution potential for other materials, also apply more or less to natural

fibre-reinforced plastics as well as carbon fibre-reinforced plastics.

On the one hand, there is a certain competition between different reinforcing fibres in

some sectors. On the other hand, completely new areas of application may beexplored due to the different material properties required for certain purposes. High-

2010* 2010/09* 2009 2009/08 2008Kt % Kt % Kt

UK / Ireland 130 23.0 106

-13.8 123Belgium / the Netherlands /Luxembourg 40 29.0 31

-18.4 38

Finland / Norway / Sweden /Denmark 50 -2.0 52

-24.6 69

Spain / Portugal 217 15.0 188

-20.3 236

Italy 154 26.0 122

-33.3 183France 116 33.0 87

-24.3 115

Germany 161 36.0 118

-18.6 145

Austria / Switzerland 16 23.0 13

0.0 13

Eastern Europe** 131 34.0 98

-27.9 136

Sum total: 1.015 24.5 815

-23.0 1,058


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performance applications that are prohibitive for GRP may, in this case, justify higher

prices for CRP because the raw materials are so much more expensive. On the other

hand, industries catering to price-oriented customer requirements (for instance in

conjunction with high volume vehicle production) are not likely to substitute GRP by

CRP any time soon.

In terms of production volume, natural fibres only account for a minor share of all

fibres used for reinforcement. They are now primarily used in automobile

construction, specifically for automobile interiors. However, new areas of application

were tapped in recent years, for instance in the consumer goods sector. The entire

segment and WPC (wood plastic composites) in particular have experienced an

ongoing upturn in business in recent years.

Outlook

The abnormal decline of composites production volumes in 2008 and 2009 caused

by the economic and financial crisis, which to this extent was unparalleled in

previous years, has come to a stop. Companies are now once more optimistic and

confident about the future, even though more long-term growth prognoses are

hazardous at best which is also true of the total economy and the entire plastics

industry. The companies will try to take advantage of existing opportunities and

capitalize on current trends. There are concrete developments now regarding the

prime challenges in this market that were already addressed in conjunction with the

2009 Market Report.

Image and Popularity of the Materials in Question

Companies have intensified their networking efforts even during the crisis, fully aware

of the fact that it is easier for all partners to join forces instead of individual


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companies going their own way. Associations were formed involving all partners in

the value-added chain who then act as a body in order to point out the benefits of

these materials and to lend credence to their statements. One of the core tasks will

be to familiarise engineers, designers, scientists, and other partners involved in

manufacturing with the advantages of the materials for specific areas of application,

to open up additional markets, and to utilise existing potentials. This requires joint,

coordinated, and elaborate strategies that are supported and implemented equally by

all market players.

Sustainability

Consumers as well as application industries are introducing ever more stringent

requirements regarding sustainable products as well as the corresponding

certification. Durable disposal and recycling concepts for the constantly increasingvolumes of fibre composite components are needed. The composites market has

made initial attempts to define how to document sustainability in a cross-company

context. AVK has compiled an initial sustainability report and is now performing

generic studies in order to develop suitable solutions regarding pertinent processing

concepts.


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13 September, 2010 Page 15/25 Alfons Schuster

The CRP Market in2009/2010

The Author

Alfons Schuster is a project architect with Carbon Composites e. V. (CCeV). CCeV is the leading

network of excellence for companies and research institutes in the southern German-speaking world

involving the entire value-added chain of fibre composite technologies. The aim is to enhance and

expand the position of these advanced technologies on a national as well as an international scale.

Fibre composite technologies are to be promoted, science and industry connected, and new markets

tapped. Marketable high-performance fibre composite structures - this is the product group CceV

focuses on.


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The CRP Market in 2009/2010

In conjunction with the global economic and financial crisis, the carbon fibre

market in keeping with the industrial context in general experienced a

setback in 2009 and is not expected to regain 2008 levels in 2010 [JEC56].

2009 was a difficult year for the entire fibre composites industry; manufacturers

of glass fibres and carbon fibres in particular felt the crunch [JEC51]. By 2011,however, the market is expected to show a tangible recovery from the

downturn, once more reaching levels seen in 2008. Prospects for the next few

years are highly promising. Prognoses for the carbon fibre market and therefore

also for the CRP market predict an above-average growth rate up until 2015,

with Europe probably satisfying about half of the worldwide demand [JEC56].

Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics: Market Data and MarketDevelopment in 2009 and 2010

Carbon fibres, as a starting material for CRP, are only produced by a very few

manufacturers worldwide. On the other hand, there is a considerable number of

component manufacturers producing a great many products that are difficult to

quantify. The various types of fibres sold may be used as a basis to estimate the

number of components produced in each segment, since very different fibre qualities

are being used for the primary areas of application in the aerospace sector, industry,

and sports and recreation. The price structure varies considerably. High-end

components for the aerospace industry may sell at about 400 US $ / kg; the industrial

sector is likely to fetch 100 US $ / kg; while sports and recreation only raise about

20 US $ / kg. The highly complex CRP component market is therefore somewhat

elusive and fibre manufacturing data are not always sufficient to allow an

assessment. In detail, quantities may vary considerably, depending on the source;

and fibre data cannot necessarily be transferred to components.


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This report focuses on the global market. In this context, market volumes are

assessed on the basis of the monetary value instead of the weight of the fibres sold

because the price structure of CRP components may vary considerably.

Production of Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastics in 2009 and 2010:Overall Developments

Carbon fibre production just like glass fibre production - hit the bottom of the

economic recession in 2009 but has picked up in the meantime. By 2011, the market

is expected to recover to levels last seen in 2008.

In the aviation industry, a segment that suffered a maximum setback during the

crisis, the production slump in the commercial aircraft sector caused a decline of

35 % in the production of carbon fibres as compared to 2008. Reduced production

quantities for Airbus A320 and A330/340 (approximately 15 % CRP percentage of

the structural weight), production delays for the Boeing B787 (approximately 50 %

CRP percentage of the structural weight), and the resulting reduction of storage

capacities brought about the 2009 decline. The situation in Europe was aggravated

by the postponement of the A400M air force cargo aircraft, which had considerable

consequences since CRP contribute approximately 38 % of the structural weight.

Since the CRP contribution to the aviation sector is supposed to increase in the next

few years (CRP probably accounting for of up to 60% of the structural weight),

prognoses for the aviation industry are definitely encouraging. The industry is

expected to fully recover by 2011 and regain levels last seen in 2008 [JEC56].

In 2009, carbon fibre production for sports and recreation - which was down by 25 %

from 2008 did not feel the crunch quite as badly as aviation. Sports and recreation

are an established market segment for CRP, showing a relatively stable

development. This sector is looking forward to a moderate growth rate, primarily

driven by China.


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New areas of application are not within sight at the moment. Despite similar

transshipment volumes, revenues are far below those realised by aviation, due to

pricing and quality requirements [JEC56].

In 2009, the industrial segment for carbon fibres experienced a 25 % drop as

compared to the previous year. In terms of quantity, the industrial sector has already

outdistanced aviation as well as the sports / recreation sectors. This segment shows

a potential for broad market penetration and therefore considerable growth. Sectorswhere growth is at an above-average level, such as wind energy, automotive

lightweight construction, or shipbuilding have a positive effect on the forecast.

As far as CRP are concerned, the long-term outlook suggests that the industrial

sector might even surpass the aviation sector in terms of revenues. Growth is now

limited since there is still considerable insecurity in many branches of industry

concerning the possibilities offered by CRP. This is getting in the way of increasing

the foreseeable substitution potentials for metal materials [JEC56]. In this case, too,

manual production of CRP component parts is the primary limiting factor. In the

automotive sector, for instance, the lack of fully automatic CRP production plants and

the relatively long cycle times compared to sheet metal are putting on the brake. The

industrial sector, too, will have to wait until 2011 to recover and return to the levels of

2008.

The carbon fibre market has a specific problem as well. The tendency among

components manufacturers to deplete warehouse stocks during the crisis

encumbered the fibre market. This effect was enhanced by the fact that market

availability of fibres in 2009 for the first time exceeded the demand [JEC51]. This put

a perspective on the necessity of maintaining high stock levels. In conjunction with

the favourable growth prognoses, this tendency may now, curiously enough, cause

the upturn in business to swing the other way. Fibre manufacturers, in turn, were

forced to postpone investments, possibly creating another shortage of carbon fibres.


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Production of CRP components, too, is beginning to pick up quickly; recovery in this

case probably occurs from a higher base, with less drastic setbacks than for fibre

manufacturing. 2010 shows a 7.5 % upturn in business, which is significantly above

the expected global economic growth of about 4 %.

At the top of the list is the pultrusion / filament winding sector, closely followed by

tape laying. Table 1 shows an overview of the production volumes for individual

procedures.

Procedure/year 2010 2009 2010/2009

Pultrusion /

Winding

2.40 2.21 +8.35%

Tape Laying 2.15 2.00 +7.43%

VAP / VARI 0.69 0.65 +7.02%

RTM / RIM 0.34 0.32 +4.91%Other 0.23 0.22 +4.91%

Sum total 5.80 5.40 +7.51%

Table 1: Worldwide production volumes in 109 Eurosfor individual procedures

in 2010 and 2009 [ACM].

Trends

Following the aviation industrys meteoric rise, which was only temporarily slowed

down by the crisis [JEC56], carbon fibre reinforced plastics are now continuing to

conquer new markets.

The wind energy segment shows a clear tendency towards ever larger and therefore

more powerful plants. By 2020, approximately 30 % of the entire power consumed in

Germany alone is to be supplied by renewable energies, and wind power stations are


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expected to play a major role in this context. The larger the plants, the more

important the rigidity of the rotor blades.

Carbon fibre materials are gaining popularity in conjunction with the belts that are

bracing the rotor blades. These belts used in a hybrid construction with glass fibre

reinforced plastics respectively carbon fibre reinforced plastics - may account for

approximately 12 % of the blade weight without incurring any technical risks. A single

40 meter rotor blade may accommodate up to 1250 kilograms of CRP. Thanks to theanticipated tripling of the global market for wind energy plants during the next ten

years, this is a gigantic market with a great future [LCC].

As far as the automotive construction industry is concerned, there are no particular

prospects on the horizon right now with regard to conquering markets beyond those

of racing or the upper price segments. Thus, institutes and companies are searching

for and researching manufacturing processes capable of series production for this

market segment, an effort that is driven by the need for electrically powered vehicles.

The decisive argument for the customer is still the quality of riding pleasure. The

point is to compensate for an additional weight of several hundred kilograms, even

with most advanced battery and propulsion technology. Manual operation (which is

still quite common), insufficient industrialisation, and automation of the processes as

well as the resulting high individual costs are considered to impede the progress of

series production [AUD1]. This is a demanding task, considering that the aim is to

industrialise a heterogeneous overall process while reducing cycle times, material

expenses, and post-processing expenditures, for instance in conjunction with paint

application, by 50 - 90 % [AUD2]. The joint venture between BMW and SGL Group is

a pioneer project in this context that will force competitors hands and cause

additional projects to be launched. The emission-free electrically powered vehicle for

urban areas named Megacity Vehicle is expected to come out in 2013 [KK].

Recently published studies by production planning experts are optimistic. According

to these reports, add-on parts may already be produced by available techniques in

lean production at attractive pricdes in large-batch production [MM]. In addition, there


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are efforts to reduce the relatively long curing times for thermosetting materials to

less than five minutes by using thermoplastic materials and special procedures

[LWD].

Application Industries at a Glance

The diagram allocating CRP components to individual application industries shows

only marginal changes as compared to 2009. In 2010, the total volume shows a

7.5 % increase to 5.8 x 109 Eurosworldwide, Western Europe accounting for 2.0 x

109 Euros. This upswing is encouraging for all areas of application - aviation and

windpower heading the list with growth rates of 9.8 % and 9.7 %, respectively.

Bringing up the rear is the sports sector with 4.2 % increase. This shows that markets

recovering from a lower base are also picking up faster.

Aviation / wind power / vehicle / industry / medical sector / sports / other


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Figure 1: Worldwide production volumes of CRP components in 2010, targeted

for different areas of application (total global volume: 5.8 x 109 Euros, Western

Europe: 2.0 x 109 Euros)

CRP Production in Different Countries in 2009/2010

The total global CRP production volume is distributed as shown in Asian-Pacificregion / Western Europe / North America / Japan / RestFigure 2, revealing a noticeable increase by 7.5 % on the average from the 2009

crisis. Western Europe (at a plus of 8.6 %) is number one, followed by North America

(7.7 %) and Japan (7.0 %).

Although Carbon Composites e. V. does not possess a more details analysis of the

European market at the moment, this topic is to be addressed next year.


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Asian-Pacific region / Western Europe / North America / Japan / Rest

Figure 2: Geographic distribution of the CRP market in 2010 [ACM].

Outlook

After its collapse in 2009, the CRP market is clearly recovering in 2010. It hit the

bottom of the economic recession but has picked up significantly in the meantime. By

2011, the market is expected to recover to levels last seen in 2008. The long-term

predicted annual growth of the global market between 2013 and 2018 is 12.0 %; up

until 2015, market revenues may more or less double to about 14 x 109 Euros from

2009 [ACM]. Thus, the industry is now facing a limited phase with less revenues

and should not forget to invest in the future. After all, if the demand increases quite


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as drastically as anticipated, new, quick automatic production techniques will be

needed to satisfy the need. The crisis has come to an end and the market is going to

pick up soon.

Owing to the predicted high growth rates in all market segments, it is important to

address recycling questions as soon as possible so as to efficiently cope with future

CRP waste. In the aviation sector as well as in wind energy, reutilisation of CRP or

GRP is still uncommon. Although alternative strategies are available, energyproduction and recovery is currently the state of the art. The volumes produced now

do not yet constitute a major problem. In the automotive sector, on the other hand,

CRP is competing with aluminium and steel. Both are excellent materials from an

ecological point of view, since they may be molten down and reused practically

indefinitely. Long-term sustainable solutions are to be found regarding the predicted

growth of the fibre composite market. Initial attempts have been made. In Stade, for

instance, a CRP Recycling Center the first of its kind in Europe is being built in

conjunction with a research and development project. This location is targeted for the

commercial material recycling of waste materials containing carbon fibres.

All of this shows a medium-term to long-term trend towards the development of

sustainable recycling technologies.

Literature

[JEC51]: Carbon fibre: investing cautiously, JEC Composites Magazine No. 51, September 2009

[JEC56]: Positive forecast for the carbon-fibre market, JEC Composites Magazine No. 56, April 2010[ACM]: World Carbon Fiber Composite Market, Acmite Market Intelligence, July 2010

[LCC]: Prof. Klaus Drechsler (LCC TU-Mnchen), CRP-Technologie im Automobilbau: Was man

von anderen Mrkten lernen kann [CRP technology in automotive construction: learning

from other markets], lecture at the CCeV-Automotive Forum on 24 June, 2010 in

Neckarsulm, available under http://www.carbon-

composites.eu/tempdats/files_content/1002.pdf

[MM]: Monika Zwettler, Mit schlanker Produktion werden auch die Karosserien leichter [lean

production makes for more light-weight bodywork, too],


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http://www.maschinenmarkt.vogel.de/themenkanaele/automatisierung/

fertigungsautomatisierung_prozessautomatisierung/articles/277705/ , 23 August, 2010

[LWD]: Katrin Pudenz, Forscher machen thermoplastische Faserverbundbauteile serientauglich

[researchers are making thermoplastic fibre composite components capable of series

production] , http://www.lightweight-design.de/

index.php;do=show/alloc=135/id=12194/site=lwd/sid=4212da7e913b2f54a473c9af5ce4adad

, 23 August, 2010

[AUD1]: Michael Dick (AUDI AG), Leichtbau with CRP Herausforderungen fr die Mobilitt der

Zukunft [Lightweight construction with CRP a future mobility challenge], lecture at the

CCeV-Automotive Forum on 24 June, 2010 in Neckarsulm, available under

http://www.carbon-composites.eu/tempdats/files_content/1015.pdf

[AUD2]: Heinrich Timm (AUDI AG), Wo liegt der Bedarf fr CFK im Automobilbau?" [where is the

need for CRP in automotive construction?], lecture at the CCeV-Automotive Forum on 24

June, 2010 in Neckarsulm, available under http://www.carbon-

composites.eu/tempdats/files_content/1003.pdf

[KK]: Leichtbau fr Elektromobilitt [lightweigt contruction for electrically powered vehicles],

http://www.k-zeitung.de/home/branche/news-detail/news/6/1280833800leichtbau-fr-Elektromobilitt/, 23. 8. 2010

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