Unidirectional Tapes Market

The unidirectional tapes market is estimated to observe positive growth during the assessment period of 2017-2025. The growing demand for lightweight solutions across the aerospace sector will bring immense growth prospects for the unidirectional tapes market. High impact strength, damping, and excellent chemical resistance will invite profitable growth for the unidirectional tapes market.

• The escalating demand for unidirectional tapes across the sports industry will bring promising growth for the unidirectional tapes market. The sports sector is experiencing massive demand due to the rise in awareness about the importance of fitness among a considerable chunk of the global populace. Hence, these factors bode well for the growth of the unidirectional tapes market.
• Research and development activities form an important part of the growth trajectory of the unidirectional tapes market. The players invest in these activities to boost their revenues. Discoveries and formulations are achieved with the help of research and development activities. Therefore, these factors will help in accelerating the growth of the unidirectional tapes market to a considerable extent.
• Strategic collaborations are vital for the unidirectional tapes market. Mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and other forms of collaboration help expand the influence of the players in the unidirectional tapes market, eventually increasing the growth rate.

Unidirectional tapes are used as standard materials in automotive and aerospace industries. The fiber is usually impregnated with thermosetting resins. Unidirectional tapes are composite materials that are generally based on carbon fiber or glass fiber. These tapes are manufactured using several thermoplastic resins and can be customized according to the application. Appropriate sizing of the carbon or glass fiber confirms optimal bonding to the plastic. Hence, unidirectional tapes possess outstanding mechanical properties.

Unidirectional Tapes Market: Drivers and Restraints

Unidirectional tapes is a key segment of the composites market. Increase in demand for these tapes in high-strength lightweight components in automotive applications is anticipated to drive the unidirectional tapes market during the forecast period. Rise in government pressure on improving fuel efficiency is also estimated to boost the demand for lightweight components. This, in turn, is projected to propel the unidirectional tapes market during the next few years. However, availability of various internal and external substitutes is likely to restrain market growth.

Unidirectional Tapes Market: Segmentation

Based on fiber type, the unidirectional tapes market can be segmented into:

• Glass Fiber
• Carbon Fiber
• Others (Aramid Fiber, etc.)

Glass fiber and carbon fiber unidirectional tapes possess competitive physical properties such as high toughness, strength and stiffness, and low density. These tapes provide exceptional chemical resistance. Therefore, they are employed in applications such as automotive, sports & leisure, and various industrial applications.

Unidirectional Tapes Market: Segmentation

Based on type, the unidirectional tapes market can be divided into:

• Conventional Unidirectional Tapes
• Two-step Unidirectional Tapes
• Supported Unidirectional Tapes
• Coated Unidirectional Tapes
• Preplied Unidirectional Tapes

The common process of manufacturing unidirectional tapes is to draw collimated raw strands into prepreg machine. In the prepreg machine, the strands along with molten resins are combined using pressure and heat. The mixture of resins and fibers generally travels between coated carrier papers/films through the machine for the ease of discharge.

Unidirectional Tapes Market: Segmentation

In terms of application, the unidirectional tapes market can be segregated into:

• Automotive
• Sports & leisure
• Industrial
• Construction
• Others (Medical, etc.)

Unidirectional tapes are used for applications such as lightweight automotive body parts and structural components. Unidirectional tapes required for auto components are produced through technologies such as back injection molding and thermoforming.

Sports goods are also expected to offer growth opportunities to the unidirectional tapes market during the forecast period due to rising demand for lightweight and high strength equipment in order to maximize the athletes’ performance. Unique properties of unidirectional tapes such as good chemical resistance, high impact strength, and damping make them preferable in industrial applications. 

Unidirectional Tapes Market: Region-wise outlook

In terms of consumption, North America held the major share of the global unidirectional tapes market, followed by Asia Pacific and Europe, in 2016. Asia Pacific accounted for large share of the unidirectional tapes market in terms of production in 2016. Asia Pacific is expected to provide lucrative opportunities to the unidirectional tapes market during the next few years due to the rapid growth in the automotive industry and increase in need for lightweight materials for the production of auto components in the region.

Unidirectional Tapes Market: Key Players

Key players operating in the unidirectional tapes market include Performance Composites Inc., Composites Evolution Ltd., SGL Group, Evonik, SABIC, and BASF SE.