#Market Analysis & Forecasts

2022-05-05

The European Market for Fibre Reinforced Plastics/Composites in 2021

The AVK – Industrievereinigung Verstärkte Kunststoffe – has published its annual market report for fibre reinforced plastics/composites. The composites market almost returns to pre-crisis levels in 2021. After a long period of growth from 2013 to 2018, the corona pandemic, which began in February 2020, as well as other negative factors have severely impacted not only the economy as a whole, but the industrial sector and composites market in particular.

European composites production volumes declined by more than 15 % in the period from 2018 to 2020. In 2021, this trend was clearly reversed. With growth of 18.3 %, the market almost returned to its pre-crisis level. The increase was thus significantly higher than overall growth in the EU at 5.3 %.

Markets reviewed in this report

In its consideration of glass fibre reinforced (GRP) materials, the analysis presented here again includes all GRPs with a thermoset matrix as well as all thermoplastic materials with long or continuous fibre reinforcement. The market figures for NCF (non-crimp fabrics) and the European production volume for short fibre reinforced thermoplastics have been added to the scope of this report.

Overall development of the composites market

The volume of the global composites market totalled 12.1 million tonnes in 2021, according to the latest figures from the JEC (www.jeccomposites.com). In 2021, European composites production volume increased by 18.3%. The total European composites market thus comprises a volume of 2,962,000 tonnes. Overall, market momentum in Europe was significantly higher than in the global market. Europe's share of the world market is around 25 %, similar to that of the USA. Asia now accounts for around 50 % of global production.

Full report:

https://www.avk-tv.de/files/20220503_pr_04_2022_market_report_2021.pdf

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Fluff pulp market maintains steady growth

Despite being impacted by political and economic woes, the global fluff pulp market in 2024 will reach 7.3 million air dried tonnes with a value of $9.7 billion, according to a new Smithers produced study, The Future of Fluff Pulp to 2029. This is up from 6.2 million air dried tonnes valued at $5.5 billion in 2019.

Economic and geopolitical headwinds influence industrial nonwovens growth to 2029

The global consumption of industrial nonwovens in 2024 is 5.3 million tonnes or 83.4 billion square metres (m2), valued at $21.2 billion, according to The Future of Industrial Nonwovens to 2029 from Smithers. Growth rates for 2019-24 were 6.9% (tonnes), 6.9% (m2) and 6.7% ($). This reflects a recovery in some markets from Covid-19 as well as an adjustment to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and its repercussions (inflation, energy supply/price, global economic growth reductions).

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.