GF and GFRP Composites Market Size, Growth

GF and GFRP Composites Market Overview

The GF and GFRP Composites Market size was valued at USD 34367.7 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 51287.06 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2025 to 2033.

The GF and GFRP composites market is driven by the rising need for lightweight, high-strength materials across sectors such as automotive, construction, aerospace, and consumer goods. In 2023, the global consumption of glass fiber (GF) exceeded 7.5 million metric tons, with more than 5.3 million metric tons used in producing glass fiber reinforced plastics (GFRP). GFRP composites are widely utilized due to their excellent mechanical properties, including tensile strengths above 1,000 MPa and flexural modulus of over 35 GPa, depending on formulation and fiber orientation.

Over 2.2 million metric tons of GFRP materials were applied in the transportation industry, while the building and construction sector consumed approximately 1.8 million metric tons. The versatility of GF and GFRP in structural and non-structural applications continues to expand, with more than 1,200 new end-use designs introduced globally in 2023 alone. China remains the largest producer and consumer, accounting for over 46% of total GF production. High-performance thermoset and thermoplastic matrices, including epoxy and polypropylene, are increasingly used in GFRP to enhance chemical resistance, reduce thermal expansion, and improve fatigue life. These composites also provide a corrosion-resistant alternative to metals, reducing lifecycle maintenance costs by up to 30%.

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Key Findings

DRIVER: Increasing demand for lightweight and high-strength materials in automotive and infrastructure projects.

COUNTRY/REGION: China leads the market, producing over 3.5 million metric tons of GF and consuming more than 2.7 million metric tons of GFRP composites in 2023.

SEGMENT: Glass Fiber Products remain the largest type segment, contributing over 60% of the market volume in 2023.

GF and GFRP Composites Market Trends

Significant trends are shaping the GF and GFRP composites market, especially in terms of raw material innovation, application diversification, and sustainable manufacturing practices. One major trend is the growing use of glass fiber in wind energy applications. In 2023, over 1.1 million metric tons of GF were consumed for turbine blades and structural elements, with average blade lengths now exceeding 80 meters and requiring composite layups containing up to 2,400 kg of glass fiber per blade.

Thermoplastic GFRP composites are also gaining momentum, with more than 850,000 metric tons produced globally in 2023. These materials are increasingly adopted in automotive interiors, under-hood components, and rail systems due to their recyclability and faster cycle times. Europe reported a 14% year-over-year increase in thermoplastic GFRP usage, led by Germany and France. In Asia, Japan and South Korea focused on hybrid composite systems combining GF with carbon fibers for aerospace and high-speed rail, enhancing strength-to-weight ratios by over 30%.

Recyclability has emerged as a priority. In 2023, more than 310,000 metric tons of post-industrial GF waste were processed into regrind materials or non-structural composites. The U.S. and European Union implemented policy measures encouraging the use of recycled content, driving up demand for secondary GF products. Major producers adopted closed-loop processes, achieving waste diversion rates above 80%.

Advancements in surface treatments and sizings have enhanced the interfacial bonding of GF with matrix resins. New coatings with silane and epoxy-based chemistries improved impact resistance by 18% and water absorption rates decreased by over 25% in laboratory testing. Additionally, 3D woven GFRP structures are being piloted in civil infrastructure and shipbuilding, offering up to 50% material savings and up to 20% higher tensile performance compared to traditional layup methods.

GF and GFRP Composites Market Dynamics

GF and GFRP composites market dynamics refer to the combination of forces and variables that influence the market’s behavior, trends, and strategic direction over time.

DRIVER

Rising demand for lightweight and durable materials in transportation

In 2023, over 2.2 million metric tons of GFRP were used in vehicles, buses, and trains, driven by regulatory pressure to reduce vehicle weight and emissions. GF-based composites offer up to 35% weight savings compared to traditional metals, with a strength-to-weight ratio ideal for automotive body panels, bumpers, and reinforcements. Across Europe, automotive OEMs replaced more than 130,000 metric tons of metal components with GFRP, resulting in average vehicle weight reductions of 70–90 kg per model. Aerospace and defense applications also used 420,000 metric tons of GFRP for non-structural panels and radomes.

RESTRAINT

High energy consumption in GF production

One of the primary restraints in the GF and GFRP composites market is the high energy requirement during manufacturing. Producing one metric ton of glass fiber consumes approximately 7,500 kWh of energy. In 2023, electricity price volatility led to a 9% increase in production costs in Europe and North America. Manufacturers also reported raw material price increases of 6–10%, particularly for silica sand, alumina, and boron. These factors have pressured profit margins, particularly for mid-sized producers with limited energy optimization capabilities. Furthermore, emissions from melting furnaces prompted regulatory scrutiny in regions like the EU and California.

OPPORTUNITY

Infrastructure modernization and composite rebar adoption

The growing need for corrosion-resistant alternatives in civil construction is creating substantial opportunity for GFRP-based rebar and structural components. In 2023, over 150,000 metric tons of GFRP were used in bridge decks, road slabs, and marine structures. GFRP rebars now offer tensile strengths of up to 1,200 MPa, with service lifespans 3–5 times longer than steel in corrosive environments. Government-funded projects in Canada, the UAE, and India collectively utilized more than 18,000 metric tons of GFRP rebar for public infrastructure development. The global pipeline of smart cities and resilient infrastructure programs is expected to further support this trend.

CHALLENGE

Lack of global recycling standards and end-of-life solutions

Despite growing adoption, the GF and GFRP composites industry faces challenges in establishing consistent recycling infrastructure. In 2023, only 4.5% of end-of-life GFRP products were recycled, with 2.2 million metric tons of waste generated globally. The thermoset matrix in traditional GFRP poses significant barriers to mechanical or chemical recycling. Absence of uniform regulatory frameworks and material labeling hinders effective collection and processing. In addition, logistics for reverse collection and treatment remain underdeveloped, particularly in developing regions. These challenges create bottlenecks for circular economy goals and limit the scalability of sustainable composite solutions.

GF and GFRP Composites Market Segmentation

The GF and GFRP composites market is segmented by product type and application to better address the material characteristics and end-user demand dynamics.

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By Type

Glass Fiber Products: Glass fiber products alone accounted for over 7.5 million metric tons in 2023, making them the backbone of the composite industry. E-glass is the dominant type, comprising more than 85% of global production, with applications across construction, wind energy, and industrial goods. C-glass and S-glass fibers contributed an additional 650,000 metric tons, used mainly in corrosion-resistant and high-strength applications.
GFRP Products: GFRP products consumed over 5.3 million metric tons of glass fiber in 2023, translating to a total composite production volume of 7.1 million metric tons. These include molded panels, pipes, gratings, rebar, and custom-fabricated shapes. Hand lay-up and compression molding remained dominant processes, with more than 1.6 million metric tons shaped via these techniques globally.

By Application

Building & Construction: This segment used approximately 1.8 million metric tons of GFRP in 2023 for doors, window frames, panels, bridge decks, and rebar. The Middle East and U.S. Gulf states increased usage in corrosion-sensitive zones, where steel replacement rates exceeded 60% in marine environments.
Electronics: Electronics consumed over 1 million metric tons of GF and GFRP, primarily in printed circuit boards (PCBs), housings, and insulators. GFRP in PCBs contributes to thermal stability up to 170°C and dielectric constants under 4.5, making it ideal for high-frequency applications.
Transportation: Transportation remained the largest segment, consuming more than 2.2 million metric tons in 2023. Rail, aerospace, and commercial vehicle sectors adopted GFRP for interior panels, body components, and enclosures.
Sport & Leisure: This segment used over 420,000 metric tons for bicycle frames, hockey sticks, surfboards, and archery equipment. Lightweight performance composites reduced equipment mass by up to 25%, improving user handling and speed.
Others: Other uses, including industrial pipes, fans, chemical tanks, and oil & gas platforms, accounted for about 1.3 million metric tons in 2023, with steady demand from chemical processing and desalination sectors.

Regional Outlook for the GF and GFRP Composites Market

The regional outlook in the GF and GFRP composites market refers to the detailed assessment of market performance, production capacity, consumption volume, and growth trends across specific geographic regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. It analyzes regional differences in demand drivers, industrial applications, government policies, and infrastructure development that impact the adoption and production of glass fiber (GF) and glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) composites.

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North America

North America remained a key player in the GF and GFRP composites market in 2023, with over 1.9 million metric tons of glass fiber consumed across industries. The United States accounted for 84% of regional demand, driven by construction, automotive, and aerospace applications. Over 780,000 metric tons of GFRP were used in infrastructure and industrial goods. Government programs such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act supported increased adoption of GFRP in bridges, culverts, and drainage systems. In Canada, the use of GFRP rebar rose by 18%, driven by its corrosion resistance and design flexibility for civil engineering applications.

Europe

Europe recorded consumption of approximately 2.1 million metric tons of GF and GFRP composites in 2023. Germany, France, Italy, and the UK together represented over 72% of regional usage. The EU Green Deal and climate targets fueled composite adoption in wind energy and electric vehicle components. Germany led the region in thermoplastic composite R&D, with over 350 R&D projects funded. In Eastern Europe, Poland and Romania experienced a 12% increase in composite use for public infrastructure and housing projects, contributing to regional demand stability.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific dominated the global market with over 3.8 million metric tons of GF and 2.7 million metric tons of GFRP consumed in 2023. China accounted for more than 46% of global GF production, with large-scale applications in wind turbine blades, construction panels, and transportation systems. India consumed over 280,000 metric tons of GFRP, largely for metro rail, flyovers, and portable building solutions. Japan and South Korea focused on advanced composites, combining GF with carbon or aramid fibers for aerospace, marine, and semiconductor applications. South Korea’s shipbuilding sector used over 90,000 metric tons of GFRP for hull components and superstructures.

Middle East & Africa

Middle East & Africa consumed approximately 790,000 metric tons of GF and GFRP in 2023. GCC countries used over 320,000 metric tons, especially in infrastructure, oil & gas, and water treatment facilities. Saudi Arabia and the UAE deployed GFRP in water transmission pipes and desalination plants, with more than 6,200 km of pipelines using composite materials. In Africa, South Africa and Egypt accounted for 65% of regional demand, focusing on power, transport, and mining sector applications.

List of Top GF and GFRP Composites Companies

Advanced Glassfiber Yarns
BASF
Binani-3B
Celanese
CPIC
Daicel
Denka
DSM
DuPont
Evonik
Hexion
Johns Manville
Jushi Group
Kolon
Lanxess
Nippon Electric Glass
Nittobo
Owens Corning
PolyOne
PPG Industries
RTP
SABIC
Saint-Gobain Vetrotex
Solvay
Sumitomo Bakelite
Taishan Fiberglass (Sinoma)

Owens Corning: Produced over 1.5 million metric tons of glass fiber in 2023, supplying materials to construction, energy, and industrial sectors across more than 30 countries.

Jushi Group: Based in China, Jushi manufactured over 1.8 million metric tons of GF in 2023, operating three global facilities and exporting to more than 100 countries.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

In 2023, global capital investment in the GF and GFRP composites sector surpassed $8.1 billion, driven by capacity expansion, technology upgrades, and sustainability initiatives. China alone contributed over $3.2 billion, funding new production lines in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Shandong. Jushi Group invested in two new glass fiber kilns with a combined capacity of 300,000 metric tons per year, designed to reduce energy consumption by 17% through oxy-fuel furnace technology.

Asia-Pacific investment included over $1.8 billion in new capacity and composite innovation hubs. India’s composite parks in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu secured more than $230 million in funding, focused on automotive and defense applications. Japan invested $320 million in integrating robotics into composite molding processes, enabling 22% faster production cycles and 11% lower material waste.

Key opportunities exist in green construction, electric mobility, wind energy, and circular economy technologies. GFRP usage in electric vehicle battery casings and bus structures exceeded 180,000 metric tons globally in 2023. Additionally, over 9,600 km of new railway infrastructure used GF composites in track base systems and enclosures. Investment in bio-resin compatible GFRP systems is also increasing, supporting low-emission building certifications and contributing to sustainability goals.

New Product Development

Innovations in GF and GFRP composites are focused on enhancing performance, reducing environmental impact, and enabling complex design solutions. In 2023, more than 420 new composite products were launched globally, covering industrial, automotive, construction, and consumer markets.

Owens Corning introduced a low-density glass fiber mat with enhanced stiffness-to-weight ratios, achieving 18% reduction in part weight and maintaining flexural strength above 800 MPa. The product was integrated into HVAC panels and truck cargo liners in North America. Simultaneously, Jushi Group launched a high-corrosion-resistant chopped strand mat designed for desalination and chemical storage tanks. This mat demonstrated a 24% longer fatigue life under salt spray testing.

DSM and Evonik collaborated to develop GFRP solutions incorporating bio-based resins. Their jointly developed thermoset resin, made from 35% renewable content, showed tensile modulus values above 3,200 MPa. The composite material was adopted in automotive interior panels and elevator cabins in Europe and Asia. Lanxess released flame-retardant GFRP panels meeting EN 45545 and UL 94 V0 standards, used in railway and aerospace interiors.

Five Recent Developments

Owens Corning expanded its U.S. GF production by 180,000 metric tons with new furnaces launched in Q2 2023.
Jushi Group began operations at its new Indonesian plant with a production capacity of 150,000 metric tons in early 2024.
DSM introduced a bio-based resin-GFRP system for automotive interiors in December 2023.
Saint-Gobain Vetrotex completed a €170 million expansion in Spain for thermoplastic GF production in mid-2023.
Taishan Fiberglass (Sinoma) launched anti-static GFRP roofing sheets for chemical processing plants in March 2024.

Report Coverage of GF and GFRP Composites Market

This comprehensive report on the GF and GFRP composites market covers production volumes, material innovations, regional demand, end-user industries, competitive landscape, and investment opportunities. It presents a detailed analysis of global GF consumption exceeding 7.5 million metric tons and GFRP composite usage reaching over 7.1 million metric tons in 2023. The segmentation includes Glass Fiber Products and GFRP Products, as well as applications in building & construction, transportation, electronics, sport & leisure, and industrial uses.

The report evaluates the influence of key market dynamics including rising demand for lightweight materials, manufacturing cost constraints, and the emergence of infrastructure modernization as a growth driver. It also addresses the critical challenge of recycling limitations, with only 4.5% of end-of-life GFRP being processed globally.

Regional performance insights include Asia-Pacific leading with over 3.8 million metric tons of consumption, followed by Europe and North America. Investment trends reveal over $8.1 billion allocated globally toward capacity expansion, sustainability, and R&D. Company profiles focus on major players like Owens Corning and Jushi Group, which together accounted for over 3.3 million metric tons of glass fiber output in 2023.

Product innovation, such as smart GFRP materials and hybrid yarns, illustrates the evolving technology landscape. This report supports decision-making for manufacturers, suppliers, investors, and policymakers navigating the advanced composite materials market.