The global aeroengine composites market was valued at USD 2.16 billion in 2021. It is projected to reach USD 6.91 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 13.80% during the forecast period (2022-2030).
Aerospace composites are cutting-edge materials used to design and develop sturdy, lightweight, and fuel-efficient airplane parts. Over the past ten years, demand for next-generation aircraft acquisitions has increased significantly due to the significant increase in passenger traffic and the implementation of stricter emission requirements. In the commercial, military, and general aviation sectors, aircraft manufacturers are creating new aircraft models that call for more modern engines with improved performance and lightweight. As a result, innovative material technologies like composites are becoming more critical. It is anticipated that businesses with excellent technical capabilities would considerably enhance engine composite technology.
The engine is the most intricate component of an airplane, with several distinct parts that vary in complexity. Even with the smallest components, design and material tweaks have significantly enhanced an engine's overall performance. Advanced composite materials, which are now extensively used in many elements of contemporary aircraft design, have been primarily responsible for the most recent improvements in engine performance. Manufacturing materials and enhancing engine technology will be crucial in advancing next-generation aircraft toward a higher operating economy.
The newest ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are beginning to show that they are appropriate for use in turbo-engine applications and promise to deliver considerable performance and emission control improvements. This innovation activity is driven by the government's efforts to minimize air pollution and increase fuel economy. As a result, the manufacturers are working to lighten the engines overall while keeping their dependability and improving thrust per unit of fuel.
Pratt & Whitney's PW1000G geared turbofans and other large commercial engines had a 27% decline in orders in 2020. In contrast, turboprop engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney Canada delivered 1,650 engines in 2020, a 30% decrease from 2019. Even though the COVID-19 epidemic influenced the aviation supply chain, some problems were widespread before the pandemic. Supplier reliability became a significant issue for aviation engine makers when they had to rely on third parties for their output. Dual sourcing/multi-sourcing is now a crucial component to guarantee that the program has the flexibility to handle any unwelcome discrepancy at the lower levels of the supply chain.
At the beginning of 2018, production lagged a month behind plan due to quality problems in CFM's supply chain. Despite using a multisource strategy for essential components and materials, the company faced specific difficulties as it maintained first-time yields and cycle times. The Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo jet deliveries, the most produced and delivered aircraft for the OEMs, were delayed due to the delivery of CFM International LEAP engines. Forging and casting-related supply-chain problems had a significant role in this delay. Leap-1A engine deliveries to the A320neo aircraft assembly line were finally completed in early 2019, according to CFM International.
Airlines have focused on using operational engines with higher fuel efficiency and lower total operating expenses since the advent of commercial flights. In order to boost performance and extend aircraft range, engine and aircraft OEMs are making significant integration efforts. Modern engines are scientific wonders made of durable, sophisticated materials that ensure performance without reducing lifespan. The more recent CFM LEAP engines use various composite parts, including a composite fan blade, case, platforms, and spacers, to achieve a significant weight reduction compared to non-composite designs. These engines are now installed in many aircraft models, including the COMAC C919, the Airbus A320, and the Boeing 737. This weight loss results in less fuel usage and engine emissions.
GE, a pioneer in composite fan blade technology, created the fourth generation of blades for the GE9X, the company's most extensive engine to date, constructed particularly for Boeing's 777X next-generation wide-body plane. Sixteen composite fan blades with a diameter of 11 feet make up the engine. The engine's combustor and turbines are also lightweight, long-lasting ceramic matrix composite materials. These developments are predicted to fuel future demand for composite aeroengine parts.
| Study Period | 2018-2030 | CAGR | 13.80% |
| Historical Period | 2018-2020 | Forecast Period | 2022-2030 |
| Base Year | 2021 | Base Year Market Size | USD 2.16 Billion |
| Forecast Year | 2030 | Forecast Year Market Size | USD 6.91 Billion |
| Largest Market | Asia-Pacific | Fastest Growing Market | Europe |
The global aeroengine composites market is divided into four regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.
Asia-Pacific is the most significant shareholder in the global aeroengine composites market and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 15.70% over the projection period. China's commercial aviation industry has made significant achievements and advancements in the Asia-Pacific region in the past years. The leading airlines in China are Air China, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and Hainan Airlines. In 2020, China surpassed the United States to hold the title of the largest aviation market. China's Civil Aviation Administration reported that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 420 million passengers were transported there in 2020, a 36.7% decrease from 2019. Passenger volume was forecast to increase dramatically in 2021 because international flights commenced in the fourth quarter of 2020. In addition, the expansion of the aviation industry is driving up demand for new aircraft among Chinese carriers.
North America is anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 13.55%, generating USD 2,292.47 million over the forecast period. The number of travelers going to and from the United States has increased over time. The number of scheduled service passengers transported by US and international airlines in 2019 was 1,052.8 million, up 3.9% over the previous year, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. In 2019, 241.4 million passengers were traveling internationally, and 811.4 million passengers traveled domestically, an increase of 4.3% and 2.4%, respectively, over 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic-related pause in international flights caused a drop in passenger traffic. However, since international flights resumed in the fourth quarter of 2020, the number of passengers is anticipated to rise sharply in 2021.
Europe is anticipated to grow significantly over the forecast period due to various acquisitions and agreements between significant market players. For instance, EasyJet (a UK-based LCC) and Airbus came to an agreement enabling easyJet to exercise its purchasing rights to firm orders for 17 A320NEO aircraft. The company bought twelve more A320 NEO planes in November 2019, and its total order for the NEOs increased to 159 (including 30 A321neo). The first of the additional A320NEOS aircraft is scheduled to be delivered at the beginning of 2023. In addition, the pioneer in engine design Rolls-Royce, based in the UK, intended to use CMCs widely on its next-generation engines by 2020.
Brazil is currently experiencing growth in its aviation sector. Brazil's three leading airlines—LATAM Airlines Brazil, GOL, and Azul—reported a substantial increase in air passenger traffic over the past few years. According to data from the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), 102.92 million people traveled by plane in 2019, up from 102.11 million in 2018, further increasing from 2021 after the Covid-19 pandemic. The government is launching several initiatives, such as increasing investment in regional aviation. With numerous top aircraft incumbents running their production or repair facilities there, Mexico has become a preferred manufacturing and MRO hub for the aviation industry. Safran and Albany opened a new manufacturing facility in Querétaro in February 2018 to produce composite parts for the LEAP engines. These factors are anticipated to drive market growth over the forecast period.
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The global aeroengine composites market is segmented by application and components.
the global market is bifurcated into commercial aircraft, military aircraft, and general aviation aircraft.
The commercial aircraft segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18.95% during the forecast period. The need for narrowbody aircraft is one of the primary factors driving the industry from the commercial sector. The demand for narrowbody aircraft is one of the primary factors driving the industry from the commercial sector. Airbus reported having a backlog of 7,184 jets at the end of December 2020, with the A220 and A320ceo/neo family narrowbody aircraft making up 88.70% of the backlog. Similarly, Boeing had a backlog of 4,997 aircraft, 4,031 of which were 737 NG/MAX narrowbody aircraft.
Military aircraft have evolved into accurate instruments capable of various operations, including attack, surveillance, and observation. In addition to airlifting soldiers, military helicopters are also employed for firefighting, cargo replenishment, and medical evacuation. The performance, weather resistance, and control responsiveness of the engine and airframe systems have all been improved by technological advancements. These advancements have allowed newer airplanes to operate in challenging conditions. Several countries are building new fighter aircraft to enhance their air defense capabilities.
the global market is bifurcated into fan blades, fan cases, guide vanes, shrouds, and others.
The fan blades segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.40% during the forecast period. Carbon-fiber composites are utilized to create engine blades because they are lightweight. The cross sections of the composite blades are thicker than those of the titanium blades. The thin titanium edges of the carbon-fiber composite fan blades give them the impact resistance needed to withstand a bird hit. It uses the 3D weaving innovation created by CFM International and Albany Engineered Composites Inc. The company's LEAP and CFM56 aircraft engines employ carbon-fiber composite blades. CFM International increased its yearly LEAP engine deliveries to 1,118 units in 2018. The COVID-19 epidemic hindered the company's ability to produce 2,000 units annually by 2020, and it is anticipated that this will have a long-term effect on delivery.
A fan case acts as the fan's cage and guards against structural damage in the event of a blade-out accident since it is made to not only withstand the force of flying blade shrapnel but also to maintain structural integrity when the engine is turned off. Therefore, one of the bulkiest components of an engine is the fan casing. Composites have proven to be a practical way to improve/retain structural integrity while providing significant weight reductions, mainly as engine makers focus on increasing fuel efficiency. Rolls-Royce started producing their UltraFan demonstrator engine in February 2020. This engine has a composite fan blade and fan box design that offers a weight savings of about 700 kg per engine.
A guide vane made of composite material has at least two fastener flanges that extend from the vane's radial end toward the airfoil's opposing side faces and incorporates fiber reinforcement that a matrix has densified through three-dimensional weaving. The fastener flanges are axially offset from one another. This particular application is waiting for the introduction of a new engine design to enjoy the potential cost and weight benefits, despite being proven in terms of materials and manufacturing processes and having withstood minimal engine exposure. For instance, the Rolls-Royce exhaust guide vane, produced using sophisticated textile handling techniques that involve weaving or knitting, followed by chemical vapor infiltration, has been the most complex application of CMC technology in the aeroengine business.
COVID Impact: During COVID-19, supply chain interruptions hampered the trade, causing a lack of raw materials for producers and a delay in delivering finished items in the form of blind bolts to customers. As official prohibitions around the world have been lifted, demand for blind bolts has already begun to rebound to pre-pandemic levels.
