Unidirectional Tapes (UD Tapes) Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Reinforcement Fiber (Glass Fiber, Carbon Fiber, Others), By Resin (Thermoplastic [PEEK, Polyamide, Others], Thermoset [Epoxy, Others]), By Application (Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Sports & Leisure, Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

Unidirectional tapes (UD tapes) are composite materials made of glass fibers, carbon fibers, or different types of fibers. UD tapes have high strength, durability, stiffness, and provide high impact resistance.

UD tapes are advanced composites that provide a wide range of fiber or resin composites. These materials provide exceptional chemical resistance, durability, mechanical properties, and fire performance to meet the application requirements. They have extensive applications in the aerospace & defense, automotive, sports & leisure, and others with minimal use of materials and energy.

Furthermore, factors, such as increasing use of UD tapes in primary and secondary aircraft structures, growing demand for lightweight vehicles, and programs adopted by governments, are anticipated to drive the unidirectional tapes (UD tapes) market growth during the forecast period.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Unidirectional Tapes (UD Tapes) Market

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and strict government regulations imposed on many developed and developing countries have disrupted the supply chains. Restrictions on people’s movements led to significant delays in arrival of raw materials, disrupted cash flow, and increased number of absentees among manufacturing workers. These factors have affected the commercial aerospace, Boeing and Airbus, as well as a number of their suppliers. In 2021, after the relaxation of restrictions, the end-use industries gradually began to recover. This also aided the unidirectional tapes (UD tapes) market share expansion and is expected to continue during the forecast period.

Key Insights

The report covers the following key insights:

• Key trends in the unidirectional tapes market


• New advancements in production technologies


• New product launches and expansions of the unidirectional tapes market


• Government initiatives regarding aerospace & defense


• Impact of COVID-19 on the market

Analysis by Reinforcement Fiber

Glass fiber dominated the UD tapes market and is expected to witness a significant growth during the forecast period, owing to increase in demand for glass fiber unidirectional tapes (UD tapes) as they are easier to process and produce compared to carbon fiber, which is more difficult to process. Glass fiber UD tapes are better than carbon fiber unidirectional tapes (UD tapes) as they provide a quick and more affordable way to build parts & shape and make repairs. Glass fibers are used in manufacturing structural composites and in a wide range of products such as frame and mold joining parts in aircraft, rockets, boats, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Regional Analysis

North America is expected to have a significant share in the global market due to increasing demand for lightweight and fuel-efficient aircraft, thereby surging the demand for UD tapes in the aerospace & defense industry in the region. North America is the largest manufacturing center of the aerospace industry, supported by Boeing, Airbus, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, and Lockheed Martin Corporation. The U.S. is the largest market for UD tapes in the aerospace and defense industry and is estimated to remain the most significant manufacturer of UD tapes, not only in North America but also globally.

Key Players Covered

The report includes the profiles of key players such as Evonik Industries, Hexcel Corporation, SABIC, Teijin Limited, BASF SE, TCR Composites, Inc., SGL Group, Celanese Corporation, Solvay, Toray Advanced Composites, and others.

Segmentation

Key Industry Developments

• In January 2022, Composites Evolution launched a new range of unidirectional thermoplastic tapes to add to its existing line-up of Evopreg prepregs.


• In January 2020, Hexcel Corporation collaborated with Madshus to provide Madshus with three different Hi Tape products based on specific design parameters of various cross-country ski types. Hexcel’s new HiTape dry carbon-based unidirectional tapes (UD tapes) improve the performance, manufacturing efficiency, and surface finish of Madshus’ skis.