Global Carbon Foam Market 2023

Global Carbon Foam Market 2023

Carbon foam is a stiff, porous structure, lightweight material formed from a web of carbon atoms. As a new generation of macroporous carbon materials, it shows adequate mechanical strength, tunable thermal and electrical conductivity, sound and electromagnetic wave absorption, and fire resistance. Carbon foam products are mainly designed for the aerospace, automotive, defense markets. The insulating foam could be used for fireproof wall core material, along with exhaust systems. The carbon foam market comprises three major product categories, including graphitic carbon foams, non-graphite carbon foams and reticulated vitreous carbon foam (RVC).

The objective of the study is to outline and forecast the carbon foam market based on product, end user, and geography. The report offers wide-ranging market statistics with detailed classification along with the respective market size of each segment. The report is directed to decision-makers in the various areas of carbon foam applications and technologies, and it provides comprehensive information about factors that affect market dynamics. In addition, the report analyzes key strengths, opportunities, and strategies of major companies operating in the market. Competitive scenarios such as joint collaborations, mergers and acquisitions, R&D activities, and advanced developments in the market have also been examined.

The global market for carbon foam is divided into categories by product, end user and geography as follows.

By Product

Graphitic carbon foam
Non-graphitic carbon foam
Reticulated vitreous carbon foam (RVC)

Graphitic carbon foam has a crystal structure similar to graphite, and it is produced by high-temperature carbonization of carbon precursors (such as petroleum, coal tar, or synthetic pitch) under the catalytic action. It has a highly ordered and highly graphitic structure, which gives it excellent thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity.

By Process

Mesophase Pitch
RVC
Coal-based
Others

Commercial carbon foam can be produced from various materials, and it can be categorized into four processes based on their sources: pitch, foamed synthetic plastics, coal, and lignin. Carbon foams produced through different processes have differences in structure, properties, and applications. Pitch-based carbon foam, produced from mesophase pitch, has the largest market share, accounting for approximately 72%. The process developed by ORNL has been licensed to Koppers for producing KFOAM® and to POCO for producing POCOFoam®. CFOAM's carbon foam products utilize the coal-based process.

By End User

Aerospace and Defense
Energy
Automotive
Building and Construction
Electrical and Electronics
Industrial
Others

Carbon foam finds applications in various industries, including aerospace and defense, energy, automotive, construction, electrical, industrial, and others. Carbon foam has an extremely low density, below 0.04 g/cm3, and a porosity rate exceeding 90%. Its unique properties in terms of weight, strength, durability, and thermal management make it an ideal material for aerospace and defense applications.

By Geography

North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific region includes markets in China, Japan, India, and other regions. The carbon foam market in this region is expected to grow significantly due to the increasing demand for lightweight and high-strength materials in industries such as aerospace and defense. China is one of the major carbon foam markets in the Asia-Pacific region. With the demand for commercial aircraft, high-performance military materials, and new energy vehicles, China's demand for carbon foam is expected to continue growing in the coming years.

Currently, active companies in the global carbon foam industry include CFOAM LLC, Poco Entegris, ERG Aerospace Corp., Ultramet Industries Inc., and others. The competition in the global carbon foam market is primarily dominated by US manufacturers, occupying the top and middle tiers. China also has several companies participating in the carbon foam industry, but there is still room for improvement compared to US companies. In addition to mature participants, many startups and research institutions are actively developing innovative carbon foam technologies and applications.