Increased Adoption of Glass Reinforced Plastic in the Transportation Sector will Drive Market Growth
Market CAGR for glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) is being driven by the increased adoption of glass reinforced plastic in the transportation sector. One of the most important characteristics of glass reinforced plastic (GRP) is its light weight. GRP is 75% lighter than steel equivalents, resulting in decreased transportation costs and the elimination of the need for heavy lifting equipment. Furthermore, the use of glass reinforced plastic reduces the danger of manual handling injuries because it can be easily cut and manipulated on-site.
Because glass reinforced plastic raw materials have a higher strength-to-weight ratio, they provide more mileage and reduce fuel costs. As a result, increased vehicle manufacturing is expected to increase demand for glass reinforcement materials in the transportation industry.
For instance, According to the International Trade Administration (ITA), the Chinese government plans to create 35 million automobiles by 2025. Similarly, the predicted contribution is consistent with the Malaysian government's 2020 automotive policy projections of total production volume of 1.47 million automobiles and overall industry volume of 1.22 million vehicles by 2030. The growing demand for lightweight vehicles in the aerospace and defence, marine, and other transportation sectors is expected to stimulate demand for glass reinforced plastic. Rising investments in the aerospace and defence, as well as the marine sectors, are now driving the industry's expansion.
The trend of large-scale urbanization has increased demand for urban residential constructions. Manufacturers in the construction industry in developed countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Germany are working to improve the quality of existing residential units, whereas manufacturers in developing economies such as Asian and African nations are focusing on the development of new affordable housing units. The growth in residential real estate investment leads to an increase in demand for GFRP.
Furthermore, the GFRP market is expected to rise during the projected period due to rising disposable income and increased awareness about the benefits of GFRP pipes in the construction industry.
The increasing demand from the automotive industry is another driver of the Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) Market growth. The use of GFRP in the automotive industry is growing because it helps to reduce vehicle weight, improve fuel efficiency, and lower emissions.
For instance, the BMW i3 electric car's body structure is made of GFRP, which helps to reduce weight and increase performance. Furthermore, GFRP is in high demand in the construction industry since it is a lightweight and durable material that can be utilized to make building components such as panels, roofing, and pipes. This is propelling the GFRP Market forward.
In North America, BASF unveiled its ACRONAL MB acrylic binder portfolio for Architectural Coatings in October 2023. ACRONAL binders have an equivalent level of performance and quality. Bio feedstocks are used against fossil-based raw materials in the BASF biomass balance approach, which is certified by REDcert2.
Coryor Surface Treatment Company Ltd. and Nippon Paint Taiwan announced the launch of a new line of printed Tedlar® PVF solutions in December 2023, including PVF coatings. Tedlar® an architectural application famous for durable beauty protection that lasts many decades longer than any other product on the market.
The increasing demand for lightweight and durable materials across various industries suggests a robust growth trajectory for the Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic market, driven by its superior mechanical properties and versatility.
U.S. Department of Energy