In the composite manufacturing industry, innovation has always played a driving force. That’s because new developments in manufacturing open up possibilities that push the industrial and retail economies in general to greater heights.
Despite enormous achievements in the past, composite materials continue to provide options that prove essential to developing an assortment of industries. While it might seem evident that innovation in what a composite material can achieve directly results in new heights that products can achieve, what is surprising is that composite innovation isn’t just continuing; it is increasing in critical sectors. Here are a few reasons why:
An Old Idea that Continues to Provide Solutions Today
On a very general level, composite materials combine two kinds of elements that do not blend but remain distinct, creating a new hybrid material. In almost every case, one of these elements will be a matrix, while the second will be a reinforcement material.
Time and again, composite materials have proved capable of accomplishing what has never been realized before. From basic reinforced ancient dwellings to today’s most complicated carbon fibre, the unique relationship achieved by employing both materials at once provides results that are not otherwise possible.
Benefiting a Wide Variety of Industries
Composite manufacturing refers to a wide array of materials used in many kinds of engineered composite products according to specific needs. If there’s one thing that drives innovation, it is cases where that development translates directly into sales. Given that particular markets for composites are currently growing, innovations in those areas will push further growth. Some of the leading industries driving innovation in composites include:
- Transportation (Cars, Buses, Commercial Vehicles)
- Wind Turbines
- Automated Manufacturing
- Aerospace
- Sporting Goods
- Construction
These industries all represent areas where products are improved with innovation in composites. The transportation sector represents an excellent example of this need for continual improvement as automotive makers seek lighter materials to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Reduction of Prices
Inflation currently seems to be running rampant everywhere you look, and the cost of raw materials used in composite manufacturing was not especially low, to begin with. In response to the need for more affordable modes of production, innovations that result in more affordable materials such as those used to make carbon fibres continue to develop.
The reduction of costs alongside the development of better materials is beneficial in industries that are expected to continue to grow and develop themselves, such as aerospace technology.
Continued Growth Despite the COVID-19 Pandemic
Despite the pandemic, the global composite manufacturing industry is expected to enjoy considerable growth in the coming years, with a specific forecast of a 5.3% compound annual growth rate between 2021 and 2028.
With continued demand for lightweight materials that also exhibit high levels of strength and durability, the need for an ever-increasing innovation in composite manufacturing seems inevitable. When a composite product is lighter, stronger, or has a quality that cannot be found in other materials, it can achieve what was impossible in the past.
And that’s where innovation in composite manufacturing proves essential. Talk to a company specializing in manufacturing composite products to learn more about recent developments and the possibilities that might help your company achieve more than ever before.
