Ceramic Fiber Market

Ceramic Fiber Market Size (2023-2028):

The ceramic fibers market is predicted to grow from USD 1.52 billion in 2022 to USD 2.49 billion by 2028, at a compound annual expansion rate (CAGR) of 9.84% over the foreseen period. There is a growing call for less toxic solutions from various end-use industries, resulting in a high call for low bio-persistence products that are not carcinogenic. Ceramic fiber is an insulator made from a composition of alumina and silica, held together by an inorganic binder. It exhibits properties such as lightness and low density, making it suitable for high-temperature applications requiring low thermal mass.

Ceramic fiber is a type of synthetic mineral wool that withstands temperatures above 1000 ° C. Ceramic fiber is employed in the aerospace industry because it is light, has high compressive strength, and optimizes thermal performance without the need for a vacuum. It is also known as high-temperature insulating wool. They are only employed in high-temperature industrial applications and other processes. Ceramic fibers are employed in various end-use industries such as aluminum, petrochemicals, power generation, iron and steel, ceramics, and others. Aluminum silicate fiber is the first variety of ceramic fiber, also known as refractory ceramic fiber.

Ceramic Fiber Market Trends:

The world market for ceramic fibers is predicted to experience substantial expansion due to their escalating use in the iron and steel industry and the petrochemical industry for insulation purposes. High thermal efficiency compared to substitutes and their escalating use in high-temperature applications are the main market drivers responsible for market expansion. The escalating use of ceramic fibers in end-use industries due to characteristics such as lightweight, high thermal conductivity, resistance to thermal shock, high-temperature stability, and high chemical resistance is predicted to drive the market for the next six years. Iron and steel are the largest consumers of ceramic fibers due to their high thermal efficiency. Furthermore, the escalating use in ceramic industries such as blankets, fibers, paper, and cardboard is predicted to drive the expansion of the ceramic fibers market during the foreseen period.

Recent Developments in the Ceramic Fiber Market:

GE makes the very first silicon carbide ceramic fiber plant in Alabama. GE Aviation declared that it is funding more than $ 200 million to make adjacent plants in Huntsville, Alta., To mass-produce silicon carbide (SiC) composites employed to make composite matrix components. Ceramic (CMC) for jet engines and land gas turbines.

CERAMIC FIBER MARKET REPORT COVERAGE:

Ceramic Fiber Market Drivers:

Lightweight, low-conductive ceramic fibers help save energy by preventing heat from escaping from ovens and ovens. Saves up to almost 20% of energy, thus reducing the total cost of production. Ceramic fiber has superior wear resistance, high-temperature resistance, and chemical stability than substitutes. Other conventionally employed substitutes for thermal insulation are glass and metals. However, due to the poor performance characteristics of metals and glass at extremely high temperatures, manufacturers tend to use ceramic products in furnaces, boilers, and furnaces. In glass-melting furnaces, the released furnace gases contain a large amount of thermal energy. At temperatures above 1200 ° C, these gases are contaminated by the components of the molten glass. Therefore, glass furnaces are not preferred for high-temperature ranges.

Ceramic Fiber Market Restraints:

Conventional ceramic fiber manufacturing practice is to extrude fused ceramic at a very high temperature through a set of fine holes, approximately 3mm in diameter. Ceramic fiber less than 1 µm in diameter is considered carcinogenic, and fiber greater than 3 µm in diameter can be ingested into the lungs during the manufacturing process, which could cause serious respiratory illness and severe skin irritation. Since a good proportion of the fibers made by the conventional process have small diameters, there can be serious risks to the health of those involved in their manufacture and handling.

Opportunities in the Ceramic Fiber Market:

Ceramic fiber products, due to their resistance to high temperatures, are employed in new applications, such as aerospace and alternative energy. Alternative energy applications include fuel cells, solar energy, geothermal energy, biofuels, and waste incinerators. Very strong and lightweight ceramic fiber is slowly revolutionizing the aerospace industry. The enormous expansion of the world market for ceramic fibers is due to the energy conservation properties it possesses. It has been found that improper insulation or low maintenance can lead to high energy waste. Therefore, properly installed insulation systems are necessary; they help reduce energy consumption and improve productivity while reducing costs. Ceramic fiber-coupled insulation systems provide enough time to take corrective action in the event of an emergency, such as a power outage; This will increase the adoption of ceramic fiber in the energy industries.

Challenges in the Ceramic Fiber Market:

Strict regulations on the use of petrochemicals and their by-products for environmental protection can hamper market expansion. The high cost of production and limited availability are identified as major challenges in the ceramic fiber market that can potentially hamper market expansion. The fixed capital cost of manufacturing this fiber is high and the cycle time is slow. Costs may vary depending on the quantity produced per unit of time. The price can be reduced by producing the fiber with much less capital required for low sales volume. All of these factors pose a challenge to market expansion.

Ceramic Fiber Market Segmentation:

By Type:

• Refractory ceramic fiber (RCF)

• AES Wool

• Others

Among these, the RCF type category has a larger market share, due to the growing call for low-cost fibers, low heat storage, and high thermal stability.

By Product Form:

• Blanket

• Board

• Paper

• Module

• Others

Among all these, the blanket category is predicted to have the largest market share, which is mainly attributed to the growing call for insulation materials from different industries, including metal, transportation, automotive, and space.

By End User:

• Refining and petrochemical

• Iron and steel

• Power generation

• Aluminum

• Others

The refining and petrochemical fragment is the significant customer of this fiber in the industry. 

Ceramic Fiber Regional Analysis:

• North America 
• Europe 
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America 
• Middle East & Africa 

The APAC region is predicted to dominate the worldwide ceramic fiber market between 2021 and 2026. China is the leading producer and consumer of ceramic fiber in the APAC region. Intensive R&D, easy availability of raw materials, improved living standards, and consumer awareness to protect the environment through the use of renewable products have led to an increase in the call for ceramic fiber in the industry. Asia-Pacific had the largest market share in terms of call due to rapid industrialization, especially in China, India, and Indonesia. In addition, Chinese steel industries are highly using ceramic fibers to increase production efficiency.

Europe had the second largest market share, followed by North America. However, Europe is predicted to experience slow expansion due to the economic slowdown and slowdown in industrialization. North America is predicted to see steady expansion due to increased shale exploration. Furthermore, escalating call from the existing petrochemical and steel industries is predicted to boost market expansion in the region.

Asia-Pacific contributed to the largest market share in the world market. However, upcoming activities in sectors such as construction, energy, industry, and automotive are driving the worldwide market in the coming years. Furthermore, the easy availability of cheap ceramic fibers in China and India is predicted to increase in the near future.

Ceramic Fiber Market Key Players:

1. Morgan Advanced Materials Unifrax)
2. LUYANG ENERGY-SAVING MATERIALS CO., LTD
3. IBIDEN
4. HarbisonWalker International
5. Isolite Insulating Products Co., Ltd
6. NUTEC, Rath-Group
7. FibreCast, Inc
8. Pyrotek
9. CeramSource, Inc
10. 3M
11. BASF SE
12. Dow Marketing and Supply Company