탄소섬유는 탄소 원자로 만들어진 매우 가늘고 매우 강한 결정질 필라멘트로 구성된 첨단 첨단 소재입니다. 세계 탄소섬유 시장은 항공우주, 자동차, 건설, 재생에너지 등 다양한 분야에서 경량화 및 고성능 소재에 대한 수요 증가에 힘입어 강력한 성장세를 보이고 있습니다. 2024년 시장 규모는 약 34억 7,000만 달러로 평가되었고, 내구성 향상, 경량화, 연비 효율 개선이 요구되는 용도에서 탄소섬유의 채택이 확대되고 있음을 보여주었습니다. 2025-2035년의 예측 기간 동안 14.44%의 성장률을 보이며 2035년에는 153억 달러에 달할 것으로 예측됩니다.
전구체 유형별로는 폴리아크릴로니트릴(PAN) 계열 탄소섬유가 2024년 73.31%로 압도적인 점유율을 보이며 시장을 지배했습니다. 이러한 압도적인 우위는 제조 기술의 큰 발전과 PAN계 섬유에 의존하는 산업용도의 확대에 의해 이루어지고 있습니다. 이 부문의 CAGR은 11.09%로, 신흥 및 고성장 분야에서 PAN 탄소섬유의 채택이 가속화되고 있음을 보여줍니다.
2024년에는 24-48k 카테고리가 70.07%의 높은 점유율을 차지하며 지배적인 부문으로 부상했습니다. 이러한 우위는 탄소섬유 제조의 경제성과 그 용도의 다양성에서 근본적인 변화를 보여주고 있습니다. 이 부문은 CAGR 11.16%의 강력한 성장세를 보이고 있으며, 이는 다양한 산업에서 그 중요성이 커지고 있음을 보여줍니다. 24-48k 토우 사이즈는 특히 자동화된 복합재료 제조 공정의 기반이 되고 있으며, 로봇에 의한 자동 배치 시스템에서의 활용이 대표적입니다.
최종 사용자별로는 2024년 항공우주 및 방위 분야가 중요한 위치를 차지하며 전체 매출 점유율의 26.02%를 차지했습니다. 이 분야는 성장 가능성에서도 선두를 달리고 있으며, 예상 CAGR이 11.23%로 가장 높은 수치를 보이고 있습니다. 이러한 수치는 항공우주 및 방위 분야가 탄소섬유 산업의 혁신과 품질 기준 향상을 이끄는 가장 중요한 원동력임을 보여줍니다. 상업용 항공의 회복과 확장은 탄소섬유 소재의 채택을 가속화하는 데 매우 중요한 역할을 하고 있습니다.
탄성률별로는 표준 탄성률(T300-T700) 등급이 2024년에도 82.05%의 큰 점유율을 차지하며 시장을 지배했습니다. 이러한 압도적인 존재감은 다양한 산업 분야에 효과적으로 적용될 수 있는 뛰어난 범용성을 입증하는 증거입니다. 비용 효율성이 높다는 점도 표준 탄성률 등급이 과도한 비용 없이 신뢰할 수 있는 성능을 원하는 제조업체와 엔지니어에게 선택되는 이유를 더욱 확고히 해줍니다.
지역별 분석
탄소섬유 시장의 중심은 아시아태평양이며, 이 지역은 42% 이상의 압도적인 시장 점유율을 차지하고 있습니다. 이러한 우위는 뛰어난 제조 능력과 다양한 산업 분야에 걸친 전략적 통합에 의해 뒷받침되고 있습니다. 아시아태평양은 첨단 기술과 대규모 생산 체제를 활용하여 다양한 고 수요 산업에 대응함으로써 탄소섬유 생산의 세계 허브로서 입지를 다지고 있습니다.
아시아태평양 중에서도 중국이 연간 16만 300톤이라는 엄청난 생산 능력을 갖춘 최대 생산국으로 부상하고 있습니다. 여기에 일본과 한국이 뒤를 이으며, 이 세 나라는 항공우주, 자동차, 풍력에너지 등 세계 주요 산업에 탄소섬유를 공급하는 강력한 삼각편대를 형성하고 있습니다. 이들 국가는 엄격한 품질 및 생산량 요건을 충족하는 탄탄한 제조 생태계를 구축하여 세계 시장에서의 리더십을 확보하고 있습니다.
세계의 탄소섬유(Carbon Fiber) 시장을 조사했으며, 시장 개요, 시장 성장에 영향을 미치는 각종 영향요인 분석, 시장 규모 추이와 예측, 각종 부문별 상세 분석, 경쟁 구도, 주요 기업 개요 등의 정보를 정리하여 전해드립니다.
Carbon fiber is a highly advanced material consisting of extremely thin, yet exceptionally strong, crystalline filaments made from carbon atoms. The global carbon fiber market is witnessing robust growth, fueled by rising demand for lightweight and high-performance materials across a variety of sectors, including aerospace, automotive, construction, and renewable energy. In 2024, the market was valued at approximately US$ 3.47 billion, reflecting the increasing adoption of carbon fiber in applications that require enhanced durability, reduced weight, and improved fuel efficiency. Looking ahead, the carbon fiber market is projected to achieve a remarkable market valuation of US$ 15.30 billion by 2035. This growth corresponds to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.44% during the forecast period spanning from 2025 to 2035.
The carbon fiber market in 2025 is characterized by intense competition as companies strategically position themselves to capitalize on the sector's rapid growth. Industry leaders are actively pursuing partnerships that combine complementary strengths to drive faster innovation and expand market reach. A notable example occurred in June 2025 when Dow announced its plan to sell its 50% stake in the DowAksa carbon fiber joint venture to its Turkish partner, Aksa Akrilik Kimya. Valued at approximately $125 million, this transaction is expected to finalize in the third quarter of 2025.
Alongside these corporate realignments, regional expansions in production capacity are accelerating, especially across Asia and Europe, driven by surging demand for carbon fiber materials. In China, the importance of the carbon fiber market is growing rapidly, evidenced by PetroChina's announcement of plans to enter the industry through a joint venture with Changsheng (Langfang) Technology.
To better manage costs and ensure a stable supply of critical raw materials such as carbon fibers and resins, vertical integration has emerged as a key competitive strategy. Companies are investing heavily to control multiple stages of the value chain, reducing reliance on external suppliers and improving operational efficiencies. For instance, the French startup Fairmat, specializing in recycling carbon fiber composites, secured €51.5 million in a Series B funding round. This capital infusion is aimed at scaling up its innovative recycling technologies to produce high-quality recycled carbon fiber materials for a variety of industries.
Core Growth Drivers
The aerospace industry continues to be a central force propelling the demand for carbon fiber, driven by its relentless pursuit of materials that offer both lightweight characteristics and exceptional strength. These attributes are critical in the aerospace sector, where reducing aircraft weight directly translates into enhanced fuel efficiency and lowered greenhouse gas emissions. As environmental regulations tighten and airlines seek to optimize operational costs, the integration of advanced materials like carbon fiber composites has become indispensable in aircraft design and manufacturing.
In 2024, aerospace manufacturers are increasingly incorporating carbon fiber composites into a wide range of aircraft components, including fuselage panels, wings, and interior structural elements. The use of carbon fiber in these applications allows for substantial weight reductions without compromising structural integrity or safety. This superior strength-to-weight ratio not only improves overall aircraft performance-such as increased range, payload capacity, and maneuverability-but also contributes to lower fuel consumption. Consequently, airlines benefit from reduced operating expenses and a smaller carbon footprint, aligning with both economic and environmental objectives.
Emerging Technology Trends
The production of carbon fiber is known for its extreme energy intensity, which profoundly influences both sustainability concerns and cost competitiveness within the carbon fiber market. The energy-intensive nature of manufacturing processes not only contributes to higher production costs but also raises environmental challenges, making sustainability a critical focus for industry stakeholders. In 2024, addressing these challenges has become a priority, leading to significant advancements in recycling technologies that are reshaping the carbon fiber industry.
Recycling methods for carbon fiber have evolved to become increasingly efficient and cost-effective, enabling the recovery and reprocessing of fibers from end-of-life composite materials. Traditional disposal methods, which often involved landfilling or incineration, are being replaced by processes that reclaim usable carbon fibers without significantly degrading their mechanical properties. Techniques such as pyrolysis, solvolysis, and mechanical reclamation are gaining traction, allowing manufacturers to extract carbon fibers that can be reintegrated into the production cycle.
Barriers to Optimization
Carbon composites have become integral materials across a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, construction, oil and gas, and wind energy, due to their exceptional combination of high performance and lightweight characteristics. However, despite their advantages, the manufacturing process of carbon fiber remains costly, significantly impacting the overall price of carbon composite products. This elevated cost acts as a major barrier to broader adoption, preventing many industries from fully integrating carbon composites into their products and infrastructure.
The high price of carbon fiber is closely linked to both the yield and the cost of the precursor material used in its production. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is currently the predominant precursor, but the conversion process from PAN to carbon fiber has an efficiency rate of only about 50%. This low conversion efficiency means that a significant amount of raw precursor material is required to produce a given quantity of carbon fiber, driving up costs. At present, the average price for PAN-based carbon fibers, particularly those not meeting aerospace-grade specifications, hovers around USD 21.5 per kilogram. These prices remain prohibitively expensive for many manufacturers, especially smaller or domestic companies that lack the economies of scale enjoyed by larger producers.
By Precursor Type, Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) type carbon fiber continues to dominate the carbon fiber market in 2024, holding a commanding 73.31% share. This overwhelming market supremacy is driven by significant breakthroughs in manufacturing technologies and the expanding range of industrial applications that rely on PAN-based fibers. The segment's impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.09% reflects the accelerating adoption of PAN carbon fibers across emerging and high-growth sectors.
By Tow Size, in 2024, the 24-48k tow size category has emerged as the dominant segment within the carbon fiber market, commanding an impressive 70.07% share. This dominance signifies a fundamental transformation in both the economics of carbon fiber manufacturing and the versatility of its applications. The segment is experiencing robust growth, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.16%, underscoring its increasing importance across various industries. The 24-48k tow size has become the cornerstone of automated composite manufacturing processes, particularly in the use of robotic placement systems.
By End Users, in 2024, the aerospace and defense sector holds a significant position in the carbon fiber market, commanding 26.02% of the total revenue share. This sector also leads in growth potential, boasting the highest projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.23%. These figures highlight aerospace and defense as the foremost catalysts for innovation and elevated quality standards within the carbon fiber industry. The resurgence and expansion of commercial aviation have played a pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of carbon fiber materials.
By modulus, the standard modulus range of carbon fibers, specifically the T300 to T700 grades, continues to dominate the market in 2024, accounting for a substantial 82.05% share. This overwhelming market presence is a testament to the range's exceptional versatility, which allows it to be applied effectively across a broad spectrum of industrial uses. Its cost-effectiveness further solidifies its position as the preferred choice among manufacturers and engineers who require reliable performance without incurring excessive expenses.
By Precursor Type
By Tow Size
By Modules
By End User
By Region
Geographical Breakdown
The carbon fiber market is predominantly centered in the Asia Pacific region, which holds a commanding market share exceeding 42%. This dominance is driven by the region's exceptional manufacturing capabilities combined with strategic integration across various industrial sectors. The Asia Pacific has effectively positioned itself as a global hub for carbon fiber production, leveraging advanced technologies and large-scale operations that cater to diverse high-demand industries.
Within Asia Pacific, China emerges as the foremost producer with an impressive annual production capacity of 160,300 metric tons. It is closely followed by Japan and South Korea, together forming a powerful triad that supplies critical sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and wind energy worldwide. These countries have developed robust manufacturing ecosystems that enable them to meet the rigorous quality and volume requirements demanded by these industries, ensuring their leadership on the global stage.