Dec 12 2007
Over the past 12 months, the level of demand for carbon fiber and carbon fiber reinforced composites has steadily increased in striking parallel with the number of industrial applications using composite materials. From aerospace, to sporting goods, to wind energy, carbon fiber is rapidly gaining acceptance as an alternative material to metals, wood and plastics and is becoming more widely recognized for its high-performance characteristics.
Yet, for those firms that produce carbon fiber and carbon fiber reinforced composites, many of these companies are approaching market opportunities with starkly different strategies. In a major new research report, Worldwide Carbon Fiber Competitive Analysis and Leadership Study, 2007, Lucintel's analysts examine and profile seven of the world's leading carbon fiber producers – a full competitive analysis from target markets, to product mapping, to selling strategy, to production capabilities. Leadership closely examined and rated each carbon fiber maker on two primary criteria as shown below:
- Alignment with market opportunity
- Ability to gain market share
Some of the highlights of this report are:
- Carbon fiber demand growth is projected to increase at about 10% annually in next five years.
- Most of the leading suppliers are projected to lose market share over the next two years. SGL, Toray and Zoltek to gain market shares in next two years.
- Market shares of carbon fiber vendors in aerospace, industrial and sporting goods market are identified.
- In terms of product range for carbon fiber market, Toray ranked number one.
- In terms of net income to revenue, MRC ranked number one.
- In terms of return on equity, Hexcel ranked number one.
This comprehensive research report also offers for consumers of carbon fiber as well as the investment community content-rich comparative analyses detailing which producers have the production capacity and vision to deliver fully on its promises. Collected from a series of primary vendor interviews and secondary sources, this report provides complete profiles of the following companies:
- Cytec Industries
- Hexcel Corporation
- Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
- SGL Group – The Carbon Company
- Toray Industries
- Toho-Tenax
- Zoltek Companies
The detailed analysis of each company offers a critical view into key strategic areas, including:
- Carbon fiber producer target markets
- Key differentiators, strengths, competitors
- Product line overview, positioning, and mapping
- Market position in global carbon fiber business
- Revenue breakdown by market segments and regions
- Global manufacturing operations
- Current and forecasted production capacities
- Innovation and market leadership
- Marketing, sales, and organizational capabilities
- Management commitment and track record
- Financial strength
Lucintel's Leadership Quadrant considers a variety of critical factors – from management effectiveness to product range to market strength to financial strength– and then ranks each firm accordingly on the grid for quick comparison.
This report answers following key questions:
- What are the market shares of carbon fiber suppliers in aerospace, industrial and sporting goods market?
- Who are the market leaders in various regions and what are their market shares?
- Which companies are more aligned with market opportunities and which companies have more ability to gain market share?
- What are the key differentiators for seven major carbon fiber suppliers?
- Which company has the widest product range and how the product mapping looks among various players.
- Which companies will gain market share and who will lose market shares.
Designed for composites industry professionals, financial services firms, and industrial users of carbon fiber, Lucintel's Worldwide Carbon Fiber Competitive Analysis and Leadership Study, 2007 is the industries first comprehensive examination of the carbon fiber producers competitive landscape. This market report is published by Lucintel (formerly E-Composites,), a leading global market research company and business consulting firm with over 600 clients worldwide.