Las Colinas, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/08/2011 -- The carbon fiber industry has proved itself through high performance, light weight, and excellent strength characteristics. In calendar year 2010, global carbon fiber shipments reached 81 million pounds with a value of US $1.3 billion. This market is expected to grow to $2.8 billion in 2016 with a 12.4% CAGR during 2011–2016. Carbon fiber products, such as wind turbine blades, aircraft components, and golf shafts had a 2010 market value estimated at $11 billion.

Demand for carbon fiber has grown steadily over its 40-year history. Although the composites marketplace has many facets, carbon fiber applications continue to accelerate as industries – from aerospace to renewable energy – adopt this versatile material.

Lucintel, a leading global management consulting and market research firm, analyzed the emerging carbon fiber applications market and presents its findings in the report, “Emerging Carbon Fiber Applications: 2011–2016.”

Applications for carbon fibers continue to increase. Until 2000, aerospace, industrial, and sporting goods applications drove carbon fiber usage. Carbon fiber demand driven by new commercial aircraft such as the Boeing 787, Airbus A380, and A350; weight reductions in automobiles for greater performance and fuel efficiency; growing use of carbon fiber in wind energy, offshore oil and gas development, and emerging applications will power growth during the next five years and beyond.

To understand the critical factors driving carbon fiber demand in the emerging applications, this study has undertaken in-depth market research and analysis to identify and forecast the top emerging applications. Lucintel’s research indicates the industries that will see emerging applications with significant growth potential include:

1. Automotive

2. Wind energy

3. Commercial aerospace

4. Military and defense

5. Oil and gas

6. Compounding

Lucintel sees carbon fiber cost and availability as the two greatest industry challenges. The report provides trend scenarios and forecast statistics for 2011–2016; details industry drivers and challenges; and outlines emerging carbon fiber applications, including nuclear centrifuge rotor tubes, consumer electronics, offshore oil and gas applications, wind energy, automotive, high-pressure tanks, fuel cells, medical/biomedical, commercial aerospace, and more.

For a detailed table of contents and pricing information on this timely, insightful report, contact Lucintel at +1-972-636-5056 or via email at helpdesk@lucintel.com. Lucintel provides cutting-edge decision support services that help facilitate critical decisions with greater speed, insight, and cost efficiency. To find out more, please visit http://www.lucintel.com.

About Lucintel
Lucintel provides world class business intelligence and cutting edge decision support services in the area of Carbon Fiber Market. Our domain experts specialize in market entry strategies, strategic growth consulting, opportunity screening, competitive benchmarking, M & A, due diligence, market analysis and forecasting. Let Lucintel help you make better data driven strategic decisions. Lucintel has access to hundreds of market reports, which can be used to drive your business decisions.