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    Articles related to Future Outlook

    Composite Textiles and the Many Layers of Opportunities

    Although the applications of composite textiles are multi-directional, there are several factors that may slow down the growth pace. High cost of raw materials and the requirement for skilled manpower are among the biggest roadblocks for this industry.

    Published: 10 Oct 2023

    When we hear the word ‘textile’, the first few words that usually pop into our minds are fabrics, suits, texture, or maybe even our favorite clothing brand. But, the advancement of technology has broadened both the scope and the applications of textiles so much that starting from the circuit board in your mobile phone, to complex parts of an aircraft, everything today is being made using textiles. However, not every textile is capable of offering the flexibility of being used in such a wide range of applications, and hence composite textiles have been the ‘go-to’ material across several industries for quite some time now. Every Industry that Requires Lightweighting, Requires Composites: Known for their exceptional structural properties combined with their lightweighting capabilities, composite textiles find applications in every industry where durability and lightweighting are the key design requirements. This includes the entire mobility sector because of their common aim of achieving reduced emissions and better fuel efficiency, the wind energy sector, construction, electronics, and many other industries. Listed below are some key applications of composite textiles across these industries. Fig. 1: Key applications of composite textiles The industries combinedly have the potential to generate a demand of ~$7.2 bn worth of composite textiles in 2023, which would scale up to $9.5 bn by 2028, according to Stratview Research. Although the focus on increasing the penetration of composites is more in the automotive, aerospace, and marine industries; the biggest share of the demand for composite textiles is generated by the Wind Energy sector, followed by the Electrical and Electronics sector, currently and in the coming years as well. Close to 50% of the current demand for composite textiles in the market is generated by these two industries alone according to an analysis from Stratview Research. Fig. 2: Composite textiles market trend and forecast (US$ billion)

    eVTOLs: Making the Alliance Stronger Between Composites and Mobility

    According to a recent report on eVTOLS by Stratview Research, yearly eVTOL production volumes would reach 5,000+ units by 2028, generating a demand for ~7.4 million kilograms of composite materials around the same time.

    Published: 15 Jul 2023

    If we do a quick recap of the top-tier international composite and aviation-related trade shows in 2022, we can easily conclude that eVTOLs stood out to be among the most talked-about innovations throughout those events. And though they’ve been the industry’s favorite thing to write about for a long time now, the fact that we are now able to see several of those full-scale demonstrators in a single event just gives us a really good idea about how close the anticipated Advanced Air Mobility(AAM) revolution is. eVTOLs will be one exciting paradigm shift to witness in the mobility industry and according to the claims being made by the leading eVTOL OEMs, a few handpicked cities (cities with high traffic congestion and a supporting UAM infrastructure like Los Angeles, Miami, etc.) might be witnessing hundreds of them as soon as 2025. Since it’s mobility that we are talking about and that too, electrically powered; lightweighting has to be among the key design requirements, and considering the formidable alliance that lightweighting has with advanced materials and composites, the eVTOL industry will be among the huge demand generators for composite materials in no time. Composites Taking it to the Skies with eVTOLs: According to a recent report on eVTOLS by Stratview Research, yearly eVTOL production volumes would reach 5,000+ units by 2028, generating a demand for ~7.4 million kilograms of composite materials around the same time. Taking into account, the potential changes in the cost of carbon fibre, and resin, the demand thus generated in the year 2028 for composite materials, by the eVTOL industry is estimated to be worth $517 million in value. Fig. 1: eVTOL units manufactured annually & Corresponding composite material demand (2024-2028) What must be noted here is, as per the disclosed information, Joby is running at least one step ahead of others in the certification race since it has already received the Means of Compliance from the FAA, and still has a commercialization target of 2025. On the other hand, some OEMs still don’t have their certification basis confirmed with the concerning regulatory authorities, which is the step before receiving the means of compliance; and yet they are planning to start commercialized operations in 2024. But, regardless of the year of entry into service, the demand for composite materials from the eVTOL industry will more than double every year during the initial 2-3 years of commercialization and it will happen primarily because of two factors. All leading eVTOL OEMs are planning to scale their manufacturing volumes very rapidly, by a factor >2x every year, once they receive a nod from the regulatory authorities. Though tentative, many leading OEMs have several hundreds of pre-orders in their respective order books. Another factor contributing to the high demand for composite materials from this industry is the high penetration as compared to its allies in the transportation industry. For instance, the pioneers of composites usage in aircraft, namely the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 XWB, are both ~50% composites by weight. For light vehicles, the percentage is generally <15% and for eVTOLs, even the lower range is higher than the higher range of other industries, i.e., 70%, and for some programs, it can go as high as >90%. Some major applications of composites in eVTOLs are shown in the figure below. Fig. 2: Major applications of composites in eVTOLs Structures and propulsion systems combinedly will consume about 75-80% of the composite materials used in these aircraft, with interior applications like floor panels, beams, etc. being second in line with an approximate share of 12-14%. The remaining share will belong to avionics and other smaller applications. It’s no wonder that the cost breakdown for the manufacturing of eVTOLs, as suggested by leading OEMs, also follows a similar distribution. For example, according to the estimates by Vertical Aerospace, 40% of the manufacturing cost will be spent on battery and propulsion systems, followed by another 30% being spent on structures and interiors. Avionics will account for ~20% of the manufacturing cost and the rest will be the cost of assembly.

    Below-Grade Waterproofing Market, Having a Strong Growth Foundation

    The below-grade waterproofing market is expected to contract by near 14% in 2020 and then rebound impressively to reach a market size of US$ 1.45 bn by 2025.

    Published: 24 Jun 2020

    One of the most critical elements that decide the life of any structure is the quality and extent of its waterproofing. Though a waterproofing system typically amounts to less than 1% of the total construction cost, it plays a critical role in ensuring the quality and longevity of the structure. Poor focus on waterproofing of a structure can significantly undermine the expenditure incurred on every other aspect of the building. The role played by below-grade waterproofing is even more critical due to the complex infrastructure of modern cities, the time and disruption caused by maintenance and repair far supersede the cost involved in applying below-grade waterproofing. Because of such challenges, it becomes more significant when compared with above-grade, and also because they are exposed to the withering forces of water and corrosion for prolonged periods and with greater intensity. Below-grade waterproofing systems are popularly used in the public infrastructure and construction sector for structures, such as basement slabs, foundations walls, planters, tunnels, bridges, sidewalk vaults, elevator pits, plaza decks, split slabs, sub-structures, and drainage systems. They are an integral part of almost every structure. The global waterproofing market was estimated at around US$ 8.0 billion in 2019, and out of which below-grade waterproofing accounted for a 15% share. The share is expected to increase as more complex structures are the need of the day. Diving Deeper into the Below-Grade Waterproofing Market The touchstone of excellent below-grade waterproofing material is the set of qualities such as- uniform thickness, flexibility, being able to resist the constant hydrostatic pressure, chemical erosion, especially under high groundwater conditions and have a low absorption rate to protect the structures. It is through membranes, that below-grade waterproofing is done. They are subsumed under two categories- Sheet-Based Membrane and Liquid-Coated Membrane. Material: Sheet-based membranes are made of Polymers, Bentonite, and Rubberized Asphalt. Liquid-coated membranes, on the other hand, are made using Bitumen and Cementitious materials. Market Share: Sheet-Based Membranes are more popular with around two-thirds of the share owing to properties like robustness, self-reinforcement, and controlled thickness; there is no need for mixing or specialized equipment either. Growth: Increasing usage of breathable waterproofing membranes and environmentally safe materials are driving the growth of sheet-based below-grade waterproofing market. The selection of the type of sheet and its materials depends on a wide array of factors such as site and soil conditions, water table information, service life, total cost of ownership, and the construction process. Here is a quick material-based analysis: Polymers Largest material segment due to advantages such as lightweight, flexibility, high efficiency, and environmental safety. HDPE (High-density polyethylene), PVC (Polyvinyl chloride), and TPO (Thermoplastic olefin) are the main polymers. Bitumen Is the second largest segment and is highly popular in Europe.          Bentonite-based It is a fast emerging popular material with unique absorbent properties. Sodium bentonite is most commonly used in blind-side waterproofing systems.                                                                   Hybrid Development began with bentonite being combined with HDPE and thermoplastics to obtain high-performance membranes. The failure of Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) and Atactic Polypropylene Plastomeric (APP) bitumen to act as a water barrier, led to the development of hybrid membranes. There are four ways in which below-grade waterproofing can be applied and they are: Fluid-Applied: Covered around less than half of the market in 2019, due to high affordability and use of Bitumen. There are three ways in which fluid-application is done: Spray-Applied, Cold-Applied, and Hot-Applied. Self-Adhered: Impressive growth of this segment is due to the qualities like controlled thickness, excellent reliability, excellent chemical resistance, no VOCs, and high crack coverage. Fully bonded: Highly suitable for basement waterproofing as they come in 1-2 meter wide rolls and bond with concrete to prevent lateral water underflow and migration. Loose-laid: Are easy to install and are economical. The Steady and Impressive Growth Dynamics The COVID-19 crisis has upended every industry, without exception. But our estimates foretell a sanguine picture of growth which is expected to rebound in 2021, after a period of growth hiatus in 2020. The below-grade waterproofing market is expected to contract by near 14% in 2020 and then rebound impressively to reach a market size of US$ 1.45 bn by 2025.

    Composite Materials in Marine Industry Witnessing Growth Waves

    The marine industry will consume composite materials to the tune of $1.5 billion in 2024, charting an annual growth of over 5% during next five years. The Outboard boat, the Sterndrive, the Personal watercraft, Yachts and sailboats are the main segments of marine composites market.

    Published: 09 Dec 2019

    Composites are not new to the marine industry. Although the marine industry holds less than 10% share in the composite materials market, it fairs well in terms of penetration of the material. The first boats produced in fibreglass and polyester laminating resin using the hand lay-up process dates back to the 1970. Traditionally the marine industry heavily relied on Steel, Wood and Aluminium, however due to its many advantages over traditional materials, composites have been gaining popularity for the past few decades. The Outboard boat, the Sterndrive, the Personal watercraft, Yachts and sailboats are the main segments which are extensively using composite materials. The Hull, deck and liner are the major components of a boat. Composites are now one of main raw materials for these components. Composite materials not only offer excellent mechanical properties, but also enhance the aesthetics, enable innovation in terms of shape and design of the parts. This meets the demand of boat owners related to aesthetics, looks, and the life of the boat. Marine Composite Materials Market – From Economy to Economies The market for composite materials is heavily governed by the global economy as well the economies which they offer as compared to the competing materials. With conditions ripe and favourable, it is expected that the marine industry will consume composite materials to the tune of $1.5 billion in 2024, charting an annual growth of over 5% during next five years. Growing Recreational Fibre Flass Boat Sales The shift from aluminium to fibre glass has been significant. Recreational fibre glass boat sales are beating the traditional aluminium-based boats and are expected to register an increased growth (around 5%) in the next five years. Recreational Boat Sales in the USA Nearing 2008 Levels The sale of recreational boats was at its peak level of ~279,800 units in the USA when the tsunami of recession hit the global economy. It’s now in 2019 that the USA is likely to witness the sale of recreational boats getting restored to 2008 levels.

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    Tags:

    EU Clean Aviation programme | Composite Battery Casing | Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) | Composites in Aerospace and Defence | PEEK | Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics | Prosthetics | Orthopaedic Composites | Marine Composites | Membrane |

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