Aerospace and defense materials market growth has been underpinned by composites, alloys and polymers; in 2022 alone composite materials made up over 45% of market share with carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) accounting for significant portion due to their light weight yet high strength characteristics. Furthermore, global demand for lightweight alloys increased annually at over 8%.
The US aerospace and defense materials market provides growth opportunities through advancements in composite technologies, significant defense spending, and exceeding aircraft manufacturing. The demand for high-performance materials for both commercial & military applications is growing. In addition, innovations in additive manufacturing and a push towards more effective, lightweight materials will drive further market expansion.
Also, developing composite technologies drives the U.S. aerospace and defense materials market, higher defense spending, and an advanced aircraft manufacturing sector. However, growth may be restrained by high production costs and supply chain challenges. The need for continuous innovation and managing material expenses are critical factors influencing the market dynamics in this sector.
Key Takeaways
- Market Growth: The Aerospace and Defense Materials Market size is expected to grow by 36.5 billion, at a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecasted period of 2025 to 2033.
- By Material: The composite segment is expected to lead in 2024 with a major & is anticipated to dominate throughout the forecasted period.
- By Application: The cabin interior segment is expected to lead the Aerospace and Defense Materials market in 2024.
- By Aircraft Type: The commercial aircraft segment is expected to get the largest revenue share in 2024 in the Aerospace and Defense Materials market.
- Regional Insight: North America is expected to hold a 57.4% share of revenue in the Global Aerospace and Defense Materials Market in 2024.
- Use Cases: Some of the use cases of Aerospace and Defense Materials include advanced composites, stealth technology, and more.
Use Cases
- Advanced Composites: Utilized in aircraft and spacecraft for lightweight structures that improve fuel efficiency and performance while maintaining strength and durability.
- High-Temperature Alloys: Critical in jet engines & propulsion systems, where materials must withstand higher temperatures & stresses without degradation.
- Stealth Technology: Materials created to absorb or deflect radar signals, vital in the manufacturing of stealth aircraft & military vehicles to minimize detectability.
- Armor and Ballistics: High-strength, lightweight materials for protective gear, vehicles, & infrastructure that provide better defense capabilities while reducing the overall weight load.
Market Dynamic
Driving Factors
Rising Defense Expenditures
Growth in defense budgets across the world, due to geopolitical tensions and the need for advanced military capabilities, is driving the demand for specialized materials like advanced composites & high-temperature alloys to build next-generation aircraft, vehicles, and defense systems.
Technological Advancements in Materials Science
Innovations in materials science, like the development of lighter, stronger, and more durable composites, are allowing the production of more effective aerospace and defense equipment. These developments support the growing need for better performance, fuel efficiency, and stealth capabilities in modern defense applications.
Restraints
High Costs of Advanced Materials
The production & development of advanced materials like composites and high-temperature alloys are costly, which can limit their adoption, mainly for budget-constrained defense programs. These high costs can create a barrier to entry for smaller manufacturers & slow down overall market growth.
Stringent Regulatory Requirements
The aerospace & defense industries are subject to strong
safety and performance standards, creating lengthy approval processes for new materials. Compliance with these regulations can have large time-to-market and development costs, potentially impacting innovation and market expansion.
Opportunities
Expansion into Emerging Markets
As emerging economies improve their defense spending and invest in aerospace infrastructure, there is major potential for growth in regions like the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Companies can capitalize on these opportunities by building local partnerships and expanding their market presence in these rapidly developing regions.
Sustainability Initiatives
The growing focus on sustainability in the aerospace & defense sectors presents opportunities for materials that are eco-friendly and recyclable. Companies that innovate in green materials, like bio-based composites or energy-efficient production methods, can attain a competitive edge as the industry switches towards more sustainable practices.
Trends
Increased Adoption of Additive Manufacturing
The use of
3D printing in aerospace & defense is growing, allowing for the production of complex, lightweight parts with lower lead times and costs, which is driving demand for materials mainly designed for additive manufacturing, like high-performance polymers and metal powders.
Focus on Light-weighting
There is a higher emphasis on reducing the weight of aircraft & military vehicles to enhance fuel efficiency and performance, which is leading to increased use of advanced composites and alloys that provide high strength-to-weight ratios, allowing the development of lighter, more efficient systems.
Research Scope and Analysis
By Material
Composite materials are expected to lead the global aerospace and defense materials market, mainly due to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability, which make composites highly suitable for aerospace applications where lightweight, durable, and high-performance materials are critical.
Moreover, composites provide significant design flexibility, allowing manufacturers to develop complex shapes and structures, which further boosts their appeal and adoption within the industry.
Though plastics may hold a smaller share of the market in comparison to composites in 2024, they are anticipated to grow significantly in the aerospace and defense sectors. Plastics provide advantages like low weight, cost-effectiveness, and excellent electrical insulation. With the development of plastic technologies, the industry is now experiencing the growth of high-performance plastics that provide better strength, impact resistance, and flame retardancy.
These features make plastics ideal for use in interior components, cabin equipment, and non-structural parts of aircraft and defense systems. The growing demand for lightweight materials and the focus on enhancing fuel efficiency are key factors driving the growing use of plastics in these sectors.
By Application
Cabin Interiors is set to lead the aerospace and defense materials market in terms of application, driven by the adoption of new technologies like additive manufacturing, which is reshaping supply chains & product design. Plastics are the preferred material for cabin interiors owing to their durability and ability to meet strict industry standards.
These plastics are mostly used in a variety of cabin components, like trim strips, decorative closeouts, armrests, and food trays. Polycarbonate & decorative vinyl are mostly selected for these applications, while decorative plastic laminates are favored for surfaces that come into direct contact with passengers & crew.
The aerostructure segment is anticipated to see the fastest growth in the coming year, mainly due to the growing use of composites like CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer) & honeycomb materials in non-critical structural components. Aluminum & composites are broadly used in aerostructures for their lightweight and rigid properties.
In addition, satellite manufacturing is heavily dependent on aluminum & its alloys for their strength and lightness, with aramid fiber composites used for satellite structures to resist the harsh space environment and protect against orbital debris. The growing use of composites in aerostructures is also anticipated to boost the demand for titanium in the production of critical aircraft components like bearings, fasteners, bushings, & fuel systems.
By Aircraft Type
The commercial aircraft type is set to be the leading segment in the global aerospace and defense materials market, as there is a focus on the manufacturing, development, and maintenance of aircraft developed for commercial use, like passenger airlines and cargo carriers.
Its dominant position in the market is due to the rising demand for air travel, the expansion of airline fleets, and the current innovation in new aircraft models to meet the increasing demands of passengers. The constant growth in global air traffic and the push for more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft further contribute to the strong demand for materials in this segment.
Further, the military aerospace sector is expected to become the fastest-growing aircraft type within the aerospace and defense materials market, as there is the inclusion of the production and maintenance of military aircraft, like fighters, transport planes, and surveillance aircraft.
The growth in geopolitical tensions, higher defense budgets across many nations, and the urgent need to upgrade and modernize military fleets are key factors fueling the need for advanced materials in this sector. As countries look to enhance their military capabilities, the need for specialized materials developed to meet the rigorous requirements of military aircraft is expected to rise significantly.
The Aerospace and Defense Materials Market Report is segmented on the basis of the following
By Material
- Composites
- Titanium
- Aluminum
- Plastic
- Superalloys
- Steel
- Others
By Application
- Cabin Interiors
- Components
- Aerostructure
- Satellites
- Propulsion System
- Equipment, System & Support
- Construction & Insulation Components
By Aircraft Type
- Commercial
- Military
- Business & General Aviation
- Others
Regional Analysis
North America is projected to lead the aerospace & defense materials market with
a significant revenue share of 57.4% in 2024, which is driven by the region’s large aircraft manufacturing industry, which requires a high density of composites for aerostructures. Further, North America is anticipated to manage about one-third of the global operational fleet, creating a growing demand for airframes & various aircraft components throughout the forecast period.
In addition, the aerospace and defense sector in Europe is expected to grow steadily due to higher defense spending by NATO countries and heightened security concerns from rising terrorist threats. The growth in passenger traffic and lower airfares are also likely to help in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities, benefiting the market further.
Moreover, the Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to experience the fastest growth during the forecast period, due to significant developments in its aviation industry. China’s recent mass production of the COMAC jet has created local demand, and the country is expected to be a major growth driver due to its growing economy and opportunities in aircraft maintenance and service.
Government initiatives focused on boosting domestic manufacturing capabilities & increasing exports to the U.S. are likely to further improve product demand in the region over the coming years.
By Region
North America
Europe
- Germany
- The U.K.
- France
- Italy
- Russia
- Spain
- Benelux
- Nordic
- Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific
- China
- Japan
- South Korea
- India
- ANZ
- ASEAN
- Rest of Asia-Pacific
Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Argentina
- Colombia
- Rest of Latin America
Middle East & Africa
- Saudi Arabia
- UAE
- South Africa
- Israel
- Egypt
- Rest of MEA
Competitive Landscape
The Aerospace and Defense Materials Market is moderately fragmented by intense rivalry among key players looking for innovation and technological advancement. Companies are aiming to develop lightweight, high-performance materials to meet the higher demand for fuel efficiency, durability, and better performance.
The market sees constant investment in R&D, with firms looking to differentiate themselves through unique material compositions & manufacturing processes. In addition, partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions are common strategies used to expand market presence & gain access to new technologies and markets, further intensifying competition.
Some of the prominent players in the Global Aerospace and Defense Materials are:
- ATI
- Solvay
- Teijin Carbon Europe GmbH
- Toray Industries
- SGL Carbon
- Alcoa Corporation
- Huntsman International LLC
- Kobe Steel Ltd
- Aleris International
- Hexcel Corporation
- Other Key Players
Recent Developments
- In August 2024, Supernova announced its latest business unit that will ‘pioneer’ the 3D printing of ‘energetic materials, named Supernova Defense & Space business unit which will look to address the perceived limitations of traditional manufacturing processes when being used to produce applications like Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs). Further, Supernova’s proprietary Viscous Lithography Manufacturing (VLM) 3D printing process is expected to handle materials with up to 100 times higher viscosity and that benefit from oligomer chains in their formulations, potentially enabling superior mechanical properties.
- In July 2024, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) announced that it was awarded 7 new projects for industries under the Technology Development Fund scheme for numerous requirements of the Armed Forces and aerospace and defense sector, which are a testimony to the continuing endeavor of DRDO in nurturing Industries, mainly MSMEs & start-ups, in defense & aerospace domains.
- In May 2024, China’s Commerce Ministry announced that the country will restrict exports of aviation and aerospace-related equipment and technology, as it was to safeguard national security and interests and complete international obligations like non-proliferation, as exports of items designated under the new rules will require export licenses.
- In March 2024, GE Aerospace announced its plans to invest USD 650 million in its manufacturing facilities & supply chain in 2024 to increase production and strengthen quality to better support its commercial and defense customers, as these investments are part of the next chapter for GE Aerospace, promoting cutting-edge equipment and safety enhancements that will help it to meet customers’ growing need
- In February 2024, Adani Defence & Aerospace launched two facilities mainly for the production of ammunition and missiles in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Spanning over 500 acres, the facility located in Kanpur is set to become as one of the largest integrated ammunition manufacturing complexes in South Asia. It is geared to produce a variety of high-quality small, medium, and large caliber ammunition catering to the demands of the armed forces, paramilitary forces, and police. The facility has already commenced production, starting with small caliber ammunition, with an initial output estimated to cover one-fourth of India's annual requirement, totaling 150 million rounds.