Asia
Asian carbon fibre markets, led by China, remained broadly stable during Q2 as improving production economics were balanced by increasing domestic supply. Inventory levels eased moderately despite higher production, suggesting downstream consumption was sufficient to absorb additional material. Demand from wind energy, pressure vessels, aerospace and other composite applications remained supportive, but expanding capacity prevented suppliers from gaining significant pricing leverage. Consequently, the market remained balanced rather than moving strongly in either direction.
Europe
European carbon fibre conditions remained stable to firm for aerospace and higher-performance grades, while industrial applications faced comparatively weaker demand. Supply rationalization by European producers reduced aggressive low-price competition and encouraged manufacturers to prioritize profitable, specialized volumes. Aerospace consumption remained the main source of support as aircraft programs continued increasing composite requirements. Toray reported that global aerospace revenue within its Carbon Fiber Composite Planned additional carbon fibre capacity in France was not yet operational during Q2, limiting immediate supply additions.
North America
North American carbon fibre markets remained stable to moderately firm, supported mainly by commercial aerospace demand and limited immediate new capacity. Rising production rates and normalization of customer inventories strengthened consumption of carbon fibre and prepreg materials. Energy and manufacturing costs also remained elevated, supporting supplier offers, while the absence of major new capacity additions during the quarter limited additional supply pressure.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, carbon fibre prices are expected to remain broadly stable to firm, with aerospace demand providing support while expanding global capacity and softer precursor costs restrict significant increases.
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Asia
Carbon fibre prices in Asia remained firm during Q1’26, mainly due to higher feedstock costs and petrochemical supply-chain disruption. As the quarter progressed, the key feedstock became costlier, raising conversion pressure for carbon fibre producers. In the latter part of the quarter, the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz closure disrupted petrochemical flows and freight movement, adding to logistics and energy costs for Asian manufacturers. Demand from wind energy, pressure vessels, sporting goods, and industrial composites stayed steady, but buyers were cautious because of higher raw material costs.
Europe
European carbon fibre markets were stable to firm. Early in the quarter, the prices remained stable as the downstream industries reopened after the New Year Holidays. Meanwhile, Toray Carbon Fibers opened a new facility in France, increasing annual capacity from 5,000 tonnes to 6,000 tonnes. However, in the latter part of the quarter, energy, freight, and feedstock costs kept the market supported. Downstream automotive demand was weaker, with new EU car registrations falling 3.9% year-on-year in January. However, aerospace, defense, and high-performance industrial applications supported consumption, preventing a major decline.
North America
North American carbon fibre prices remained firm, but demand signals were mixed. Aerospace and defense applications supported high-performance fibre offtake, while broader durable goods demand weakened as U.S. manufactured durable goods orders fell 1.4% in February. Higher freight rates and Middle East-related supply-chain disruptions increased delivered costs for imported precursor and composite materials.
Carbon fibers are high performance parallel filaments of graphitic carbon with numerous applications in industrial and research fields. Carbon fiber is five times stronger than steel and twice as stiff, making it the ideal manufacturing material. Carbon fiber is made of thin, strong crystalline filaments of carbon that are used to strengthen the material. Carbon fiber can be thinner than a strand of human hair and gets its strength when twisted together like yarn. Then it can be woven together to form cloth, and if needed to take a permanent shape, carbon fiber can be laid over a mold and coated in resin or plastic.
Aerospace, Military Equipment, Automotive Industry, Manufacturing Industries
Hexcel Corporation, SGL Carbon, Toray, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings, Solvay
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
The process starts by drawing long strands of fibers and heating them to a very high temperature without allowing contact with oxygen to prevent the threads from burning. This is when carbonization occurs, during which the atoms inside of the fibers vibrate violently, expelling most of the non-carbon atoms. This leaves a fiber composed of long, tightly interlocked chains of carbon.
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