Ballistic Composites Market

Market Outlook for Ballistic Composites

According to Fact.MR, the ballistic composites market was valued at around US$ 1.5 Bn in 2020, and is projected to expand 1.7X to top US$ 2.5 Bn by 2031. Increasing need and demand for lightweight, comfortable, and high strength protective equipment, mass production of ballistic fibers, and growing demand for environment-friendly components are factors expected to drive market expansion at a CAGR of above 6% through 2031.

Key Points Covered in Ballistic Composites Industry Survey:

• Market Estimates and Forecasts (2016-2031)
• Key Drivers and Restraints Shaping Market Growth
• Segment-wise, Country-wise, and Region-wise Analysis
• Competition Mapping and Benchmarking
• Brand Share and Market Share Analysis
• Key Product Innovations and Regulatory Climate
• Assessment by Product Grade / Purity / Formulation Standards
• Assessment of Import Price, Bulk Price, Contractual Price, Producer / Distributor Price
• Certifications and Compliance Requirements
• COVID-19 Impact on the Ballistic Composite Sales and How to Navigate
• Recommendation on Key Winning Strategies

Consumption Analysis of Ballistic Composites from 2016-2020 Vs Market Outlook for 2021 to 2031

As per Fact.MR – a market research and competitive intelligence provider, over the last 5 years, the global market for ballistic composites expanded at close to 3% CAGR. In 2020, the market was valued at around US$ 1.5 Bn.

Ballistic composites are raw materials used for several military applications such as law enforcement vests, helmets, and body and vehicle armours. Efforts and expenditure for developing effective raw materials to improve product performance and rising focus to improve soldier’s survivability are likely to play a key role in market expansion.

Growing defense expenditure along with rising competition between regional economies to showcase their defense capability and increasing need for better protective equipment are expected to drive market growth.

All these factors create an ideal environment for ballistic composites across the world, and the market is expected to top a valuation of US$ 2.5 Bn by 2031.

Why is Demand for Ballistic Composites Rising in Personal Protection?

Rising demand for ballistic composites in personal protection due to their lightweight and high strength properties is a major driver for the growth of the market. Soldiers are now better protected against new ballistic threats, and the overall weight of body protection has been reduced while comfort has increased.

New military vehicles are no longer purely armoured with steel, and are instead lined with lightweight ballistic materials that increase the distance they can travel without refueling, and also improve maneuverability. Lightweight ballistic composites from fiber manufacturing to commercial products and testing helps in reduction of the weight of military vehicles, providing ease and convenience in mobility. This factor will drive market growth over the coming years.

How is Increasing R&D and Mass Production of Ballistic Composites Stimulating Market Growth?

A lot of research and development on ballistic composites is conducted at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research center in collaboration with fiber and ceramics companies, academic institutions, and other entities, with the goal of developing ever-lighter, higher-performance materials that can improve soldiers’ mobility, performance, and comfort.

Ballistic composite layers of fabric are stacked by using only heat and pressure; the outer layers melt and fuse the stack together into flat panels and moulded parts that have very good impact properties.

Which Region Offers the Largest Opportunity for Ballistic Composite Suppliers?

The Asia Pacific (APAC) region dominates the market with a share of more than 40%. The economy of APAC is mainly influenced by the economic dynamics of countries such as China and India. But with growing foreign direct investments for economic development in South East Asia, the current scenario is changing. Countries in South East Asia are witnessing high growth in the automotive sector.

Increase in global automobile production is a major factor leading to high demand for ballistic composites in terms of volume across the globe. The Asia Pacific region is expected to emerge as the fastest-growing regional market over the next ten years. Developing countries in the region are focusing on high-end combat solutions and new technology developments to protect the lives of deployed soldiers and vehicles.

Country-wise Analysis

What is the Demand Outlook for Ballistic Composites in the U.S.?

The market in the U.S was valued at US$ 410 Mn in 2020. The U.S. is the growth engine of the market owing to having the world’s largest defense spending, significant investment towards research and development, and presence of a large number of ballistic composite suppliers.

Increased amount of expenditure by the military on the maintenance of security and stringent regulations by the U.S. government prioritizing the safety of the defense forces are behind rapid growth in the country.

Furthermore, many of the military programs such as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) and Armored Multipurpose Vehicle (AMPV) carried out by U.S. authorities will spearhead market scope over coming period.

What are the Growth Opportunities for Ballistic Composites Providers across China?

By 2031, China is expected to have a market value of roughly US$ 490 Mn. Escalating tensions in the South China Sea between China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei have led to increased defense spending, which has further boosted growth of the ballistic composites industry.

Induced focus on high-end combat solutions and new technology development are some of the key factors that have driven demand for ballistic composites in China.

Category-wise Insights

Why are Polymer Matrix Composites Gaining Immense Popularity?

Polymer matrix composites accounted for the largest market share of around 50% in 2020, and are expected to experience significant growth on account of their low cost and simple fabrication methods. Their significance lies in the ability to grow fatter and shorter upon being heated.

Features such as low weight, high friction, and temperature resistance properties make polymer an extensively used product. Polymer matrix composites are employed in applications such as protective garments, helmets, and body vests. Polymer matrix composites are widely used due to their low cost and simple fabrication methods.

Most car manufacturers have executed investigations to insert natural fiber polymer composites in their products. Polymer matrix composites, on being exposed to heat, expand a little instead of melting. The advantageous properties offered by polymer matrix composites account for their significant share in the ballistic composites market.

How is Demand for Use in Vehicle Armours Stimulating the Market Growth?

Vehicle armours go into ground vehicles, sea vehicles, and helicopters. Vehicle armours are equipped with ballistic composites to ensure high-level protection against ballistic impacts and to provide high protection to the lives of the military personnel in these vehicles.  Soldiers and security personnel are in constant need of easy mobility while wearing protective vests, coupled with intensive protection.

Owing to the high level of safety provided using these materials, they are widely utilized for vehicle armour application. Commercial and industrial building constructions are likely to include these composites in buildings to secure them from minor threats.

Increasing warfare across the world is driving demand for military vehicles required in warships, which is likely to increase demand for vehicle armours over the years to come.

How Has COVID-19 Impacted Demand for Ballistic Composites?

The COVID-19 outbreak has exposed several challenges for the defense sector. Production facilities and supply chains have been affected. Demand for defense equipment and related services are down. Supply-side shocks are perhaps some of the most visible effects of the pandemic’s impact on the defense sector.

Companies that are located in countries badly affected by the virus or those that are dependent on supply chains located in affected countries are the immediate victims of the pandemic.

Countries have effectively shut down their production units, putting a strain on equipment manufacturers. Major countries such as the U.S. and India procure raw materials and electronic components from China, and the supply chain of many equipment and product manufacturers have been affected. 2021 is projected to be better, with the market regaining its original traction by 2022.

Competitive Landscape

Major players with a prominent share in the market are focusing on expanding their customer base.

• In 2016, Morgan Advanced Materials (U.K.) manufactured new ballistic shields for military and law enforcement applications. The product is light in weight and offers protection to the unprotected parts of soldiers.
• In 2019, United Shield, one of the leading manufacturers of personal ballistic and fragmentation protection equipment, launched the E.R.T shield. This product will be delivered in various U.S. firearm units as it satisfies the requirement for a lighter, more versatile ballistic shield without degrading the product’s strength, integrity, and toughness.

Ballistic Composites Market Report Scope

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2021-2031
Historical Data Available for	2016-2020
Market Analysis	US$ Mn for Value & ‘000 Units for Volume
Key Regions Covered	North America Latin America Europe East Asia South Asia Oceania MEA
Key Countries Covered	U.S. Canada Germany U.K. France Spain Italy Russia China Japan South Korea India Australia Brazil Mexico Argentina GCC South Africa
Key Market Segments Covered	Matrix Fiber Application Region
Key Companies Profiled	BAE Systems Barrday Corporation Honeywell International Inc. FY Composites OY PRF Composite Materials Morgan Advanced Materials Southern States LLC MKU Limited Gaffco ballistics Gurit ArmorSource Royal Ten Cate NV Elmon Teijin Limited DSM DuPont
Pricing	Available upon Request

Key Market Segments in Ballistic Composites Industry Research

• Matrix

  • Polymer Matrix Composites
  • Polymer-Ceramic
  • Metal Matrix

• Fiber

  • Aramid Fibers
  • UHMPE
  • Glass

• Application

  • Vehicle Armour Ballistic Composites
  • Body Armour Ballistic Composites
  • Helmets and Face Protection Ballistic Composites