New aircraft programmes drive demand for composites

Newer aircraft programmes like B787, A380 and A350 XWB, high fleet operating costs and regulatory pressure on aviation-related carbon emissions are driving the adoption of advanced fibre composites in commercial aviation applications. Analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Strategic Analysis of the Global Aviation Composites Market, finds that the market earned revenues of $178.5 million in 2011 and estimates this to reach $413.9 million in 2018.The increasing fuel efficiency of an aircraft is directly correlated to a reduction in its overall weight,” noted Frost & Sullivan Chemicals and Materials Industry Analyst SandeepanMondal. “Greater incorporation of lightweight composite materials will help aircraft original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to reduce costs, optimise processes and achieve parts consolidation.” Controlling aircraft production costs as well as lowering delivery times is the top priority for aircraft OEMs. This, paralleled by rising fuel prices, is making it imperative for OEMs to not only boost the fuel efficiency of an aircraft (by making it lightweight and using efficient engines), but also to enable a faster processing window for materials integration into the aircraft structure. www.frost.com