Market Share of Japan Automotive Composites Industry
The Japanese automotive composite market is dominated by several key players such as Hexcel Corporation, Mitsubishi Chemical Carbon Fiber and Composite Inc, SGL Carbon, Toray Industries Inc., and others. Companies are trying to invent new composites that can reduce the total weight of the vehicle to much lower proportions. For instance,
- In October 2022, Nissan Motors introduced its Frontier pickup truck powered by a 5.6-liter V-8 engine and integrated with a wide-body kit featuring carbon-fiber front fenders and bedsides, along with a carbon hood.
- In July 2022, BASF and TODA KOGYO CORP. expanded the production capacity of BASF TODA Battery Materials LLC (BTBM) at the Onoda site in Japan.
- In September 2021, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation and Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials Japan Ltd., a subsidiary of MCC, developed a thermoplastic composite material that offers flame retardancy. Both companies have already commenced sample work for some customers and aim to develop new applications such as battery enclosures.
- BMW has adopted carbon fiber-reinforced plastic in a mixed-material approach. Its German competitor, Audi, is also using the material to produce the rear wall of the space frame for its A8 luxury sedan. This part provides around 40% of the vehicle's overall torsional rigidity, making it suitable for manufacture with CFRP. The part is around 50% lighter in weight than its metallic predecessor.
Japan Automotive Composites Market Leaders
SGL Carbon
Toray Industries, Inc.
Teijin Aramid B.V.
Mitsubishi Chemical Carbon Fiber and Composites, Inc.
Hexcel Corporation
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
