This section provides an overview for carbon fiber as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 36 carbon fiber manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked carbon fiber companies as of November, 2024: 1.Zoltek Companies, Inc., 2.Clearwater Composites, LLC, 3.SemiGen.
Table of Contents
Carbon fiber is a light and strong fiber composed mostly of carbon.
Carbon fiber is made by flame-proofing an organic compound in fibrous form, followed by a high-temperature heat treatment (sintering) at 1,800°F or higher to remove hydrogen and nitrogen atoms from the raw organic compound, resulting in a carbon atom content of 90% or higher.
Carbon fiber is used in many fields as a substitute for metal materials, taking advantage of its ability to reduce weight while maintaining strength. In addition, its flexibility, electronic conductivity, corrosion resistance, and flame resistance make it suitable for a wide range of applications.
Carbon fiber is rarely used on its own; instead, it is generally used as a composite material combined with materials such as resins, ceramics, and metals. Specifically, carbon fiber is used in aircraft, rockets, and satellites, which require lightweight and high strength. It is also used in surgical orthotics such as artificial limbs, and nursing care equipment such as wheelchairs and nursing care beds, because of its lightness and ease of handling.
Particularly in the automotive industry, carbon fiber can contribute to lower fuel consumption by reducing the weight of vehicles. For this reason, carbon fiber has attracted attention and has been used in racing vehicles since the early days of its development. Carbon fiber also has applications in the sporting goods field, such as golf shafts, fishing rods, reels, bicycle frames, tennis rackets, skis, and snowboards, due to its high strength and elastic modulus.
In the future, carbon fiber is also expected to be used in the construction and civil engineering fields, for example, by attaching carbon fiber sheets to concrete structures to reinforce their earthquake resistance and as a substitute material for cables and steel frames in suspension bridges.
Carbon fiber is classified into two types based on raw materials: PAN-based carbon fiber and pitch-based carbon fiber. Currently, PAN-based carbon fiber is the mainstream, accounting for 90% of the global production of carbon fiber.
Carbon fiber made from PAN (polyacrylonitrile) fiber has extremely high strength and modulus and is widely used in industrial fields that require high reliability, such as the space industry, and in more familiar applications, such as leisure goods and sports.
The most common use of carbon fiber is in the industrial field. In the automotive field, it is used in hoods, spoilers, gasoline tanks, and many other parts. It is also used as a substitute material for metal parts, such as leaf springs and gears.
Pitch-based carbon fiber has the feature of adjustable modulus of elasticity. For this reason, it is used in parts that do not require high elasticity and, conversely, in products that do require high elasticity. Pitch-based carbon fiber is further classified into mesophase pitch fiber and isotropic pitch fiber.
Mesophase pitch is a high-performance carbon fiber (HPCF) with high strength and high modulus. Isotropic pitch, on the other hand, has randomly oriented molecules and is optically isotropic.
The resultant isotropic pitch fiber exhibits lower mechanical properties, such as strength and elastic modulus, compared to mesophase pitch fiber. However, it performs similarly in other aspects and is a general-purpose carbon fiber (GPCF) with a lower elastic modulus.
Carbon fiber can be produced from either PAN-based carbon fiber or pitch-based carbon fiber, depending on the raw material.
PAN-based carbon fiber is made from acrylic fiber (PAN fiber). In the flame retardant process, the acrylic fiber molecules are heated at 400-500°F in air to form a cyclic structure. In the carbonization process, the heat of 1,850°F or higher is applied in an inert gas to change the molecular structure of a crystalline carbon structure.
Carbon fiber with high strength and high elastic modulus is produced at the end of the carbonization process. However, graphitization, in which a heat of 3,650°F or higher is applied, produces graphite fiber with slightly lower strength but high elastic modulus.
Coal and petroleum pitches, which remain after distillation of tar obtained by dry distillation of coal and petroleum, are converted into fiber and sintered. Long fibers are made from the pitch in a melt-spinning process before the flame retardant process, and the precursor fiber is obtained by stabilizing the fibers. The precursor fiber is flame retarded, carbonized, and graphitized in the same manner as PAN carbon fiber to produce pitch-based carbon fiber.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Semigen, established in 2009, and based in New Hampshire, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of semiconductors. The product portfolio includes a diverse range of attenuators, capacitors, couplers, surmount, filters, inductor coils, resistors, transmission lines, diodes, and barrier quads. The company also offers products with quality test and foundry with value-added services, design, repair, and supply solutions. The products are used in various industries which include military, aerospace, satcom, wireless, communication, medical, and industrial sectors.
ACP Composites, Inc., established in 1985 and based in Livermore, California, USA, is an AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015-certified manufacturer of advanced composite products. The company’s products include composite laminates utilizing epoxy resins, sandwich panels using pre-impregnated composites bonded to light core materials, and lightweight composite tubes in a range of sizes and shapes. It also offers custom manufacturing services for unique client projects. The company serves clients in the life sciences, defense, and aerospace industries.
Custom Equipment, LLC, established in 1981 and headquartered in Wisconsin, USA, is a manufacturer of access equipment. The company's products include scissor lifts, vertical masts, and articulated booms. Its scissor lifts are electric drives and are used for rental and facility maintenance applications. Its vertical mast lifts offer compact maneuverability for indoor use, with options including slide-out extensions and jib features. The company also provides used equipment under its work-ready program that ensures used lifts meet safety and operational standards, with a 180-day parts warranty and free ground shipping on warranty parts.
Clearwater Composites, LLC is an AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015-certified designer and manufacturer of carbon fiber composites and parts founded in 2014 and headquartered in Minnesota, USA. The company’s capabilities include carbon fiber and fiberglass manufacturing, prototyping, machining, bonding, and assembly, along with exterior finishing and painting. Aside from carbon fiber composites, it also offers carbon fiber products, including carbon fiber tubes, plates, and molded parts. Its products and services find applications in industrial equipment, robotics, the military, sporting goods, and the aerospace industries.
Kundel Industries Inc., founded in 1987 and headquartered in Ohio, USA, is a manufacturer of material handling equipment, including overhead cranes and trench shoring products. The company offers workstation overhead cranes, manipulators, and gantry cranes. Its products feature solid cast steel trolleys, headerless supports, and self-leveling support posts. The company’s trench boxes and shoring products stabilize earth and increase trench longevity, minimizing digging requirements and enhancing worker safety. Its bridge and jib cranes ensure OSHA compliance, boost production, expand capabilities, and maximize floor space with patented end truck assembly technology.
Zoltek Companies, Inc. established in 1975 and based in Bridgeton, Missouri, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of carbon fiber. The company's product range includes PAN-Based Carbon Fiber, ZOLTEK PX35, ZOLTEK PX30, ZOLTEK OX, and ZOLTEK Recycled Fiber. These carbon fibers possess characteristics such as low weight, corrosion resistance, and electrical conductivity. The company is also used in diverse applications in industries like automotive, wind energy, airplane brakes, and civil engineering. It offers services such as advanced material development, technical support, product customization, and supply chain optimization.
Carbon Fiber Gear, established in 2007 and based in Baltimore, United States, is a manufacturer specializing in carbon fiber and other advanced composite materials. The company provides accessories and gifts such as wallets, iPhone cases, rings, home decor, and office gear, all made from carbon fiber. The products are designed to bring the benefits of carbon fiber, which was once reserved for industries like racing, aerospace, and the military, into the lifestyle and homes of consumers.
CeraMaterials is a global manufacturer and distributor of high-temperature refractory materials. The company was founded in 2006 by Dr. Jerry Weinstein with headquarters in Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania. The company has sales representatives in each region of the United States and Canada. CeraMaterials serves the heat treatment industry with refractory materials, coating, and accessories. The company’s product portfolio features carbon graphite, ceramic fiber insulation, molybdenum, tungsten, sintered ceramics, mineral wool, and insulating fire brick.
Hexcel, founded in 1948 and headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of composite materials and solutions. The company's product range includes carbon fiber reinforcements, resin systems, and honeycomb products, serving industries like commercial aerospace, industrial applications, and space and defense. Its ISO 9001:2015 certification reflects its devotion to enhancing product quality and customer satisfaction. With more than 7 decades of experience, the company consistently exceeds expectations in quality and service, boasting a global customer base.
Epsilon Composite, founded in 1987 and based in Gaillan-en-Médoc, France, is a manufacturer of carbon fibre-based composite material parts. The company provides tailor-made solutions for demanding applications in industrial processes such as pultrusion, filament winding and various technologies for processing composite materials. Its products include four different carbon fibre markets, which includes carbon profiles for civil engineering applications, technical rollers for conversion industries, cables and reinforcements for the energy industries, and carbon rods for the avaiation industry. The company's quality management system is ISO 9001 certified for industrial applications and EN 9100 certified for aeronautical applications.
Toray Industries, Inc., established in 1926 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of carbon fiber and composite materials. The company's carbon fiber materials include fibers for aerospace, large tow fibers for cost-effective solutions, and intermediary materials. Its products include thermoset and thermoplastic composite materials, processed composites, and electrode materials. Its TorayCA pan-based carbon fiber is used in aerospace, motorsport, and industrial applications. It also offers Zoltek large-tow carbon fiber, which is employed in cost-effective solutions for wind turbine blades and CNG tanks. The company's capabilities encompass fabric, prepregs, and intermediate materials, supported by the acquisition of tencate advanced composites.
Selcom S.R.L., established in 1992 and headquartered in Fregona, Italy, is a manufacturer of multiaxial fabrics. The company's products include multiaxial non-crimp fabrics made from carbon, glass, and aramid, as well as woven tapes, mesh fabrics, and tailor-made solutions. These fabrics are used in automotive, aerospace, and civil engineering industries. Its multiaxial non-crimp fabrics are used for vacuum infusion, RTM, and pultrusion, offering mechanical performance, low resin consumption, and full customization. The company also provides fabric solutions like powder coating and adhesive finishes with fabric widths ranging from 1270 mm to 2540 mm.
Teijin Carbon Europe GmbH, founded in 1934 and based in Wuppertal, Germany, is a manufacturer of synthetic and carbon fibers. The company also produces other fibers such as aramid, carbon fiber, polyester fiber, and resins and supplies to IT and healthcare industries to customers in 20 countries. In 2018, the company name was changed to Teijin Carbon Europe Gmbh. The company has lab certification from Germanischer Lloyd and checks the product quality by abiding by ISO 9001 standards.
SINOARA is a manufacturer and supplier of aramid fibers, fabrics, and composites that was established in 2003 and is headquartered in Shanghai, China. The company produces a wide range of aramid fibers, including PARA Aramid Fiber, PSA Fiber, META Aramid Fiber, and Carbon Fiber. Its product range includes Ballistic protective vests, PSA-Fire Unicorn multifunctional protective gloves and boots, Spun Yarn, carbon fiber conductive fabric and PSA-Fire retardant household products. The products are used by a number of industries, as diverse as telecommunication, automotive, aerospace, defense, and sports industries among many other sectors.
KUREHA CORPORATION, established in 1944 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of functional materials, specialty chemicals and plastics. The company produces specialty chemicals such as pharmaceutical products, agrochemicals and industrial chemicals, specialty plastics used in commercial and household products such as packaging materials and fishing lines, and advanced materials such as carbon products and advanced plastics used that can be used as an alternative to metal and as a binder for lithium-ion batteries. The company has received several awards like Special Technology Prize by JCIA Technology Award in 2019 and The Ichimura Prize in 2020.
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation was founded in 1933 and has a head office in Tokyo, Japan. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation provides products including chemicals, industrial gases, and health care products to customers globally. Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s performance products division manufactures and distributes. functional food materials, electronic and electrical components, specialty chemicals, and other products. Mitsubishi Chemical health care products include pharmaceuticals, drug discovery solutions, diagnostic reagents, and instruments for medical use. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation also provides other services such as engineering, information systems, logistics, and consulting.
Toray Industries, Inc., launched in 1926 and based in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of fibers and textiles along with performance chemicals and related products. The company specializes in making fibers, textiles, resins, films, and electronics and information materials. It also presents carbon fiber composite materials plus pharmaceuticals and medical products to its customers. From raw yarn and cotton to processed and spun yarn, its fibers have been adopted in a vast range of applications including clothing, industrial, and everyday materials.
Infineon Technologies AG (Infineon) is headquartered in Neubiberg, Germany. Infineon designs, develops, manufactures, and markets semiconductors and related system solutions worldwide. Infineon’s automotive segment produces microcontrollers, discrete power semiconductors, IGBT modules, industrial microcontrollers, power and radar sensor ICs, SiC diodes, MOSFETs voltage regulators, comfort electronics, infotainment, powertrain, and security products. Industrial Power Control segment provides bare dies, discrete IGBTs, and driver ICs among other components. Power & Sensor Systems segment offers gas and pressure sensors, MEMS microphone chips, control ICs, and GaN power switches among others.
Mid-Mountain Materials, Inc., founded in 1976 in Seattle, WA, USA, is a manufacturer of thermal insulation materials, including textiles, coated fabrics, and insulation products. Numerous industries, including the petrochemical, aerospace, automotive, and industrial production sectors, utilise these modern materials. The products offer advantages like chemical resiliency, thermal insulation, and fire resistance. The company provides solutions that withstand hard conditions and retain performance and safety for complex uses looking for efficient weatherproof materials to utilize in goods and processes. It emphasizes on emissions control and accredited to ISO 9001:2015.
Avient Corporation, formerly known as PolyOne Corporation, is a global manufacturer of specialized polymer materials, established in 2000, is headquartered in Avon Lake, Ohio, the United States. The company's products include thermoplastic compounds, plastic colorants and additives, thermoplastic resins, vinyl resins, and specialty thermoset composite materials. Its operations span across specialty engineered materials, color and additive systems, advanced composites and polymer distribution. It is also embarking on a procurement transformation for its indirect procurement purchases and upgrading from its current procurement platform to Coupa.
Toray Composite Materials America, Inc. is based in Tacoma, Washington, USA, and is a manufacturer of composite materials for the industrial and aerospace sectors established in 2017 as a subsidiary of Japan’s Toray Industries, Inc. The company primarily produces film adhesives for bonding composite materials, high strength and lightweight carbon fiber, and prepreg, which is resin-impregnated carbon fiber for molding into complex shapes. The company is ISO 9001, AS9100, and NADCAP-certified, and mainly serves clients in industrial manufacturing.
Mitsubishi Chemical Carbon Fiber and Composites, Inc., established in 2013 and headquartered in Sacramento, CA, USA, is a manufacturer of carbon fibers and composites. The company produces carbon fibers, composites, and prepregs, serving diverse aerospace, sporting goods, and automotive industries. Its Sacramento facility modernized production equipment capable of processing various fibers, including carbon, glass, and aramid. The company offers PAN-based and pitch-based carbon fibers with filament counts ranging from 2K to 60K for structural applications such as aircraft components, pressure vessels, and wind blades. It also develops resin systems with varied mechanical properties to meet customer needs.
TEIJIN LIMITED, founded in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, in 1918 is a manufacturer of aramid, carbon fibers & composites, films, resins & plastics. The company's product portfolio includes polycarbonate (PC) resin, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resin, and molded parts and Pharmaceutical & Medical Equipment. Their products are used in industries such as Food and Beverage Processing, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology and Chemical and Petrochemical and construction. The company also provides services including national distribution, product selection, customized services, technical support and customer service.
SGL Carbon is located in Wiesbaden, Germany, and is a manufacturer and supplier of graphite as well as composite materials and products founded in 1992 following the merger between SIGRI GmbH and Great Lakes Carbon. The company primarily produces carbon fibers and composites for the aerospace, energy, and automotive sectors. It also offers specialty graphite products for industrial applications such as for battery production, and application-specific process technology plants, such as for industrial pumping or turbine operations. The company is ISO 13485:2016, UL, and CSA-certified, and serves clients in the industrial processing and energy sectors.
TIP composite, established in 1970 and based in Matsumoto City, Nagano, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of composite materials made of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP). The company's product range includes CFRP, CFRTP, FRP Plant, GFRP, and C/C composite. These materials are widely used in various applications, including FRP plant and tank businesses, especially tower tanks. The company serves industries that require corrosion-resistant tanks, underground buried tanks, and large structures. In addition to its product offerings, the company is involved in the design, manufacturing, sales, and construction of equipment for water sewage, and wastewater treatment facilities.
BEMKO Sp. z o.o., established in 2007 and headquartered in Jawczyce, Poland, is a manufacturer and distributor of lighting and electrical equipment. The company serves in the electrotechnical sector across Poland and Europe, supplying lighting and electrical equipment, including apparatus, accessories, fixtures, light sources, and components to homes and businesses alike. The services include a goniometer, EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) testing facilities, Ulbricht spheres for precise measurement, high-precision laboratory power supplies, and mechanical resistance testers. The company owns two private labels, namely Schelinger Luxmena and Schelinger.
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, established in 2005 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of several solutions through its three business domains: performance products, industrial materials, and health care. The company offers various products, from materials to functional products, supporting the foundations of all types of industries, including industrial chemicals, basic petrochemicals, solvents, and high-performance chemicals. Its products include carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, high-performance polymers, curable materials, catalysts for chemical reactions, and coating materials.
Osaka Gas Chemicals Co., Ltd., established in 1931 and based in Osaka, Japan, is a manufacturer and distributor of carbon and organic materials. Its product range includes various carbon fiber materials like molded insulators, nonwoven felt, and lightweight acoustic insulators. Additionally, it offers activated carbon products, such as air-conditioning filters and water purifier cartridges, along with fine chemical materials used in electronics and optics. The company also provides consignment-based surface treatments, utilizing IMPREGLON AG's coating technologies from Germany. These treatments feature a hybrid multilayer structure comprising organic materials like fluororesin and inorganic materials like ceramics.
West One Corporation, established in 2006 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer and distributor of high-performance plastic, with a specific emphasis on resin materials and carbon materials. The company's product range includes high-strength and high-rigidity materials such as carbon fiber reinforcement, super-engineered plastics like PEEK, and bio-plastic materials such as biodegradable. It also offers functional fillers such as alumina and zinc oxide, along with their resin compounds. The company has a professional team for polymers and carbons, with material experts around the world sharing important information such as niche materials and know-how.
Aerovac Composites One, established in 2021 and headquartered in Illinois, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of vacuum bagging and process material. The company’s products include bagging films, breather fabrics, release films, peel plies, sealant tapes, etc. These products are important for producing composites used in aerospace, wind energy, marine, motorsports, and more. As a part of Composites One, Aerovac has a strategic position to distribute its products from its 44 distribution centers across North America.
Solvay was born in 1863 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. The company is a producer of advanced materials and specialty chemicals to customers worldwide in several markets including the automotive, healthcare, aerospace, and electronics markets. The company’s product offerings range from amines to surfactants with kitting options available for certain materials such as film and tape process materials. The company sources many materials from renewable sources. The company’s cellulose acetate is produced from bio-sourced wood pulp from sustainably managed forests.
K. Sakai & Co. Ltd., established in 1914 and located in Osaka, Japan, is a wholesale distributor of chemicals, plastics, and allied products. The company offers chemicals, such as solvents, resins, and monomers. These products are used in various sectors, such as automotive, electronics, construction, and packaging. The company also offers industrial materials, including synthetic rubber, synthetic fibers, and functional films, such as optical films and adhesive films. It has a rich history of expansion and has established offices and liaison offices in various locations, including Shanghai, Dalian, Qingdao, Tokyo, and India.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Zoltek Companies, Inc. |
8.9%
|
2 | Clearwater Composites, LLC |
8.1%
|
3 | SemiGen |
7.7%
|
4 | CeraMaterials |
5.7%
|
5 | Hexcel |
5.2%
|
6 | Composite Manufacturing Inc |
5.2%
|
7 | Carbon Fiber Gear a dpitMedia company |
4.6%
|
8 | ACP Composites, Inc. |
4.4%
|
9 | Kundel Industries Inc. |
4.1%
|
10 | SINOARA |
4.1%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the carbon fiber page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 10 | 35.7% |
Japan | 9 | 32.1% |
Germany | 3 | 10.7% |
France | 1 | 3.6% |
Italy | 1 | 3.6% |
China | 1 | 3.6% |
Poland | 1 | 3.6% |
Belgium | 1 | 3.6% |
Canada | 1 | 3.6% |