- Capability group
- Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
- Domain
- Critical Technology · Hard Power
- Identifier
- factbase.org/cap/3GKXK8FP0G
- Reference
- Composite material Wikipedia
Papers
44k
2020–2024
Paper growth
+18%
2020–24 on 2015–19
Patent families
57k
2020–2024
Filed abroad
19%
families in more than one office
What it covers
What the capability covers and what it leaves to others, and the indicators it will be measured by.
Bounds
Covers the materials and their qualification, absorbing the protection node; the platforms built from them register under other domains, and armour as fielded equipment is an indicator under the force capabilities of National Security.
Lineage
Carried from v0.0 (formerly Advanced composite materials) with the same identifier, absorbing Advanced protection (retired): protection is an application of structural materials, not a separate national capacity, and its evidence persists at the discover layer.
Indicators
- research publication share in structural materialsResearch
- patent families in composites and alloysPatents
- advanced composites production capacityPending
Who publishes it
Papers classified to the capability, by year and by the nation of their authors' institutions, 2020–2024. Read from the v0.0 research topics Advanced composite materials and Advanced protection.
Papers by year
The five leading nations, papers by year
Share of papers, 2020–2024
Of papers with a known author nation; 32% have none and are left out.
- 1China19.8%7,151 papers
- 2India9.7%3,492 papers
- 3United States7.9%2,840 papers
- 4Russia7.5%2,694 papers
- 5United Kingdom4.0%1,444 papers
- 6Germany3.5%1,265 papers
- 7France2.8%1,014 papers
- 8Iran2.5%895 papers
- 9Türkiye2.5%890 papers
- 10Italy2.3%844 papers
Leading institutions, 2020–2024
By fractional count: each paper divided among its authors' institutions.
- 1Northwestern Polytechnical University260fractional papers
- 2Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics252fractional papers
- 3Harbin Institute of Technology243fractional papers
- 4Beihang University158fractional papers
- 5Donghua University135fractional papers
- 6Shanghai Jiao Tong University134fractional papers
- 7Dalian University of Technology121fractional papers
- 8Vellore Institute of Technology University115fractional papers
- 9Central South University114fractional papers
- 10Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique111fractional papers
Who patents it
Patent families by the nation of origin of their applicants and their earliest priority year, from the CPC and IPC classes the capability is read from. 2025 onwards is incomplete: families are published 18 months after priority.
Families by priority year
The five leading origins, families by year
12,639 applicants filed here in 2015–2024; the five largest held 5% of families (HHI 17 of 10,000: unconcentrated).
Share of families by origin, 2020–2024
- 1China69.9%39,845 families
- 2Japan10.1%5,750 families
- 3South Korea5.2%2,961 families
- 4United States5.2%2,959 families
- 5Germany2.0%1,165 families
- 6France2.0%1,159 families
- 7Taiwan0.9%495 families
- 8United Kingdom0.5%309 families
- 9Denmark0.4%225 families
- 10Italy0.4%215 families
Applicants filing most internationally, 2015–2024
Families filed in more than one office, by applicant as the offices name them.
- 1BOEING CO734international families
- 2TORAY INDUSTRIES473international families
- 3NIPPON STEEL CORP344international families
- 4GEN ELECTRIC316international families
- 5RTX CORP248international families
- 6TOYOTA MOTOR CO LTD247international families
- 7SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES245international families
- 8TOYOTA MOTOR CORP244international families
- 9PANASONIC IP MAN CO LTD234international families
- 10NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORP229international families
Classification read
- C08J5/04 Polymers reinforced with fibres · 92k documents
- C08J5/24 Prepregs: fibre materials impregnated with curable resin · 72.3k documents
- B29C70/04 Shaping fibre-reinforced plastic composites · 337.1k documents
- C04B35/71 Ceramic-matrix composites with reinforcing fibres or whiskers · 42.1k documents
- D01F9/12 Carbon fibre and its manufacture · 41.2k documents
- C22C14/00 Titanium alloys · 22.2k documents
- C22C19/00 Nickel and cobalt alloys, including superalloys · 82.8k documents
- C22C21/00 Aluminium alloys · 130.4k documents
- C22C23/00 Magnesium alloys · 22.1k documents
- C22C27/00 Refractory-metal alloys such as tungsten, molybdenum, niobium · 20.8k documents
- C22C30/00 Multi-principal-element alloys, including high-entropy alloys · 36.2k documents
- C22C47/00 Making fibre-reinforced metal-matrix composites · 15.6k documents
Shares inventions with
Capabilities whose classes the same families also fall in, by overlap (Jaccard).
- Additive & Precision Manufacturing1,787 families · 0.027
- Functional Materials & Coatings1,193 families · 0.022
- Nanomaterials & Metamaterials631 families · 0.013
Who makes it
The companies that research, design, make, supply and operate the technology, the global leaders and the leading firms of every region.
51 companies in this capability, from 23 nations across 8 regions; the leading 50 below. Sorted by how experts see each company's global relevance in the field, from very high to very low.
- Very high4 companies
- 1Very highAdvanced materialsTokyoJapan1926–3402
World's largest carbon fibre producer (Torayca, including Zoltek large-tow and Toray Advanced Composites prepregs), primary supplier of the carbon fibre in the Boeing 787 and the second-largest PCT patent applicant in this field.
Very high relevance · Advanced materials · Japan, Tokyo · founded 1926
- 2Very highAdvanced materialsStamfordUnited States19465,900HXL
Leading Western maker of aerospace-grade carbon fibre (HexTow), prepregs and honeycomb, qualified on the Airbus A350 and on most US military aircraft.
Very high relevance · Advanced materials · United States, Stamford · founded 1946 · 5,900 staff
- 3Very highComponents & subsystemsPittsburghUnited States202024kHWM
Largest maker of nickel-superalloy and titanium jet-engine castings, forged structural parts and aerospace fasteners, spun out of Arconic (founded 1888 as Alcoa).
Very high relevance · Components & subsystems · United States, Pittsburgh · founded 2020 · 24k staff
- 4Very highComponents & subsystemsPortlandUnited States1949–Private
Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary that makes complex superalloy and titanium castings and forgings (Wyman-Gordon) and titanium mill products (TIMET) for engines and airframes.
Very high relevance · Components & subsystems · United States, Portland · founded 1949
- High11 companies
- 5HighAdvanced materialsOsakaJapan1918–3401
Makes Tenax carbon fibre and Twaron and Technora aramid fibres used in aerospace composites and ballistic protection.
High relevance · Advanced materials · Japan, Osaka · founded 1918
- 6HighAdvanced materialsBrusselsBelgium2023–SYENS
Spun out of Solvay (Cytec heritage); supplies toughened aerospace prepregs, adhesives and thermoplastic composites (CYCOM, PEEK/PEKK) used on F-35, Boeing and Airbus programmes.
High relevance · Advanced materials · Belgium, Brussels · founded 2023
- 7HighChemicals & gasesTokyoJapan2005–4188
One of the three Japanese carbon fibre majors (Pyrofil fibre and prepreg, pitch-based Dialead), with carbon fibre composite plants in Japan, the US and Europe.
High relevance · Chemicals & gases · Japan, Tokyo · founded 2005
- 8HighAdvanced materialsDallasUnited States19967,700ATI
Produces titanium and nickel-based alloys, superalloy powders and forgings for jet engines and airframes, and armour plate.
High relevance · Advanced materials · United States, Dallas · founded 1996 · 7,700 staff
- 9HighAdvanced materialsTokyoJapan1950–5401
Among the top patent applicants for advanced high-strength steels, titanium and structural alloys; now also owns U.S. Steel.
High relevance · Advanced materials · Japan, Tokyo · founded 1950
- 10HighComponents & subsystemsEvendaleUnited States189253kGE
Makes ceramic matrix composites end to end, from silicon carbide fibre in Huntsville to CMC parts in Asheville, for LEAP and GE9X hot sections, and is a top patent applicant in the field.
High relevance · Components & subsystems · United States, Evendale · founded 1892 · 53k staff
- 11HighAdvanced materialsPhiladelphiaUnited States18894,500CRS
Specialty-alloy maker of premium nickel and cobalt superalloys, titanium and alloy powders for aerospace and defence.
High relevance · Advanced materials · United States, Philadelphia · founded 1889 · 4,500 staff
- 12HighAdvanced materialsParisFrance201012kCSTM
Leading supplier of aerospace aluminium plate and aluminium-lithium alloys (Airware) for Airbus, Boeing and defence platforms.
High relevance · Advanced materials · France, Paris · founded 2010 · 12k staff
- 13HighComponents & subsystemsParisFrance2005100kSAF
Safran Composites and Safran Aircraft Engines develop 3D woven resin-transfer-moulded fan blades and CMCs for the LEAP and RISE engines; a top PCT applicant in this field.
High relevance · Components & subsystems · France, Paris · founded 2005 · 100k staff
- 14HighAdvanced materialsTongxiangChina1993–600176
World's largest glass-fibre reinforcement producer, with plants in China, Egypt and the US supplying composites makers worldwide.
High relevance · Advanced materials · China, Tongxiang · founded 1993
- 15HighComponents & subsystemsRedditchUnited Kingdom2003–MRO
Melrose Industries (GKN Aerospace)GKN Aerospace (Fokker in the Netherlands) leads in thermoplastic and automated-fibre-placement composite aerostructures and additive-manufactured titanium structures.
High relevance · Components & subsystems · United Kingdom, Redditch · founded 2003
- Moderate22 companies
- 16ModerateAdvanced materialsWiesbadenGermany1992–SGL
Europe's main carbon fibre and specialty graphite producer, making carbon-fibre materials, carbon-ceramic and C/C composites for industrial and automotive uses.
Moderate relevance · Advanced materials · Germany, Wiesbaden · founded 1992
- 17ModerateAdvanced materialsLianyungangChina2006–688295
China's leading high-performance PAN carbon fibre producer (SYT T700–T1000 grades), majority-owned by state-owned China National Building Material.
Moderate relevance · Advanced materials · China, Lianyungang · founded 2006
- 18ModerateAdvanced materialsWeihaiChina1992–300699
China's principal military-aerospace carbon fibre and prepreg supplier, with a full carbon fibre and composites chain in Weihai and Baotou.
Moderate relevance · Advanced materials · China, Weihai · founded 1992
- 19ModerateAdvanced materialsSeoulSouth Korea2018–298050
Korea's only domestic carbon fibre producer (TANSOME), expanding its Jeonju plant, and a major aramid (ALKEX) and tire-cord maker.
Moderate relevance · Advanced materials · South Korea, Seoul · founded 2018
- 20ModerateAdvanced materialsPohangSouth Korea1968–005490
Major producer of advanced high-strength automotive steels (Giga Steel), titanium and structural steels, with significant alloy R&D.
Moderate relevance · Advanced materials · South Korea, Pohang · founded 1968
- 21ModerateSystems integrationBeijingChina2008–State-owned
Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)State aerospace group whose Composite Technology Center and Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials (BIAM) develop and qualify composites and superalloys for Chinese military and civil aircraft.
Moderate relevance · Systems integration · China, Beijing · founded 2008
- 22ModerateAdvanced materialsXi'anChina2003–688122Western Superconducting Technologies
Main supplier of high-end titanium alloy bars and wire and superalloys for Chinese military aircraft, plus superconducting wire.
Moderate relevance · Advanced materials · China, Xi'an · founded 2003
- 23ModerateAdvanced materialsBaojiChina1999–600456
China's largest titanium processor (Baoti), making titanium plate, bar and forgings for aerospace, naval and industrial structures.
Moderate relevance · Advanced materials · China, Baoji · founded 1999
- 24ModerateAdvanced materialsBeijingChina2001–002080
CNBM's composites arm; makes glass fibre (Taishan), wind-blade composites and high-pressure composite vessels.
Moderate relevance · Advanced materials · China, Beijing · founded 2001
- 25ModerateChemicals & gasesColombesFrance200421kAKE
Supplies high-performance thermoplastic composite resins (Kepstan PEKK, Elium) and tapes, including a PEKK partnership with Hexcel for aerostructures.
Moderate relevance · Chemicals & gases · France, Colombes · founded 2004 · 21k staff
- 26ModerateComponents & subsystemsRochester, New HampshireUnited States1895–AIN
Albany Engineered Composites makes the 3D woven carbon fan blades and cases for the CFM LEAP engine, plus composite structures for F-35 and CH-53K.
Moderate relevance · Components & subsystems · United States, Rochester, New Hampshire · founded 1895
- 27ModerateAdvanced materialsAvon LakeUnited States2000–AVNT
Owns Dyneema ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibre (acquired from DSM in 2022), the benchmark material for lightweight ballistic armour.
Moderate relevance · Advanced materials · United States, Avon Lake · founded 2000
- 28ModerateAdvanced materialsGoldenUnited States1910–Private
Major producer of technical ceramics, including boron carbide and silicon carbide ballistic armour plates.
Moderate relevance · Advanced materials · United States, Golden · founded 1910
- 29ModerateAdvanced materialsWindsorUnited Kingdom1856–MGAM
Makes advanced ceramics, carbon and composite materials for extreme environments, including thermal protection and structural ceramic components.
Moderate relevance · Advanced materials · United Kingdom, Windsor · founded 1856
- 30ModerateAdvanced materialsSeoulSouth Korea1957–120110
One of the world's main para-aramid producers (Heracron) used in ballistic protection and composite reinforcement.
Moderate relevance · Advanced materials · South Korea, Seoul · founded 1957
- 31ModerateAdvanced materialsKobeJapan1905–5406
Produces aluminium forgings and titanium alloys for aircraft and engines, along with high-tensile steel; one of Japan's main aerospace titanium suppliers.
Moderate relevance · Advanced materials · Japan, Kobe · founded 1905
- 32ModerateAdvanced materialsParisFrance1907–Private
Europe's strategic producer of superalloy, titanium and steel closed-die forgings for aero engines and landing gear, owned since 2022 by Airbus, Safran and Tikehau Ace Capital.
Moderate relevance · Advanced materials · France, Paris · founded 1907
- 33ModerateAdvanced materialsLinzAustria1938–VOE
Its Böhler division makes aerospace titanium and nickel-alloy forgings and high-performance steels; its steel division makes high-strength automotive steels.
Moderate relevance · Advanced materials · Austria, Linz · founded 1938
- 34ModerateAdvanced materialsPittsburghUnited States2016–Private
Supplies aerospace and defence aluminium plate, sheet and extrusions (Davenport works); taken private by Apollo in 2023.
Moderate relevance · Advanced materials · United States, Pittsburgh · founded 2016
- 35ModerateAdvanced materialsWattwilSwitzerland1835–GURN
Supplies structural core materials, prepregs and composite engineering, chiefly to wind-blade and marine composites makers.
Moderate relevance · Advanced materials · Switzerland, Wattwil · founded 1835
- 36ModerateAdvanced materialsVerkhnyaya SaldaRussia1933–VSMO
World's largest vertically integrated titanium producer and a historic supplier of Boeing and Airbus titanium forgings; Rostec holds a large stake and Western sanctions apply to many of its customers.
Moderate relevance · Advanced materials · Russia, Verkhnyaya Salda · founded 1933
- 37ModerateAdvanced materialsAraxáBrazil1955–Private
Supplies about 80% of the world's niobium, the key microalloying element in high-strength structural steels and nickel superalloys.
Moderate relevance · Advanced materials · Brazil, Araxá · founded 1955
- Low11 companies
- 38LowChemicals & gasesTaipeiTaiwan1954–1301
Taiwan's carbon fibre producer (Tairyfil), making PAN precursor and carbon fibre in Mailiao for sporting goods, industrial and pressure-vessel composites.
Low relevance · Chemicals & gases · Taiwan, Taipei · founded 1954
- 39LowAdvanced materialsHyderabadIndia1973–MIDHANI
India's state-owned producer of superalloys, titanium alloys, special steels and armour materials for defence, space and nuclear programmes (majority government-owned, listed).
Low relevance · Advanced materials · India, Hyderabad · founded 1973
- 40LowComponents & subsystemsKibbutz SasaIsrael1985–Private
Designs and produces composite and ceramic lightweight armour solutions for military vehicles worldwide.
Low relevance · Components & subsystems · Israel, Kibbutz Sasa · founded 1985
- 41LowAdvanced materialsIstanbulTürkiye1968–AKSA
Akkök-group acrylic fibre giant that in 2025 bought Dow's 50% of DowAksa, now Aksa Carbon, Turkey's carbon fibre producer in Yalova.
Low relevance · Advanced materials · Türkiye, Istanbul · founded 1968
- 42LowAdvanced materialsIzmitTürkiye1973–KORDS
Sabancı-group tire-reinforcement leader that produces aerospace prepregs and composites through its Composite Technologies Center and US units (Fabric Development, Axiom Materials).
Low relevance · Advanced materials · Türkiye, Izmit · founded 1973
- 43LowAdvanced materialsOskemenKazakhstan19652,190UTMK
Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium Plant (UKTMP)Major aerospace-grade titanium sponge and ingot supplier (about 12,000 t sold in 2025) to Boeing, Airbus, Safran, Rolls-Royce and Howmet; officials put its share of the global aerospace titanium market at about 20%.
Low relevance · Advanced materials · Kazakhstan, Oskemen · founded 1965 · 2,190 staff
- 44LowContract manufacturingAl AinUnited Arab Emirates2009600State-owned
Mubadala-owned maker of composite aerostructures (16,328 parts produced in 2025) for Airbus, Boeing, ATR and Leonardo, with a Syensqo joint venture to make composite raw material.
Low relevance · Contract manufacturing · United Arab Emirates, Al Ain · founded 2009 · 600 staff
- 45LowChemicals & gasesRiyadhSaudi Arabia1976–2010
Aramco-controlled chemicals major that makes continuous-fibre thermoplastic composite tapes (UDMAX) and high-performance resins (ULTEM) for lightweight structures.
Low relevance · Chemicals & gases · Saudi Arabia, Riyadh · founded 1976
- 46LowAdvanced materialsMoscowRussia2009–State-owned
Rosatom's composites division and Russia's main carbon fibre producer, with PAN precursor and carbon fibre plants in Alabuga and Chelyabinsk.
Low relevance · Advanced materials · Russia, Moscow · founded 2009
- 47LowComponents & subsystemsSan Pedro Garza GarcíaMexico1971–Private
Mexico's leading producer of seamless rolled rings and open-die forgings in superalloys, titanium and steel for aero engines and energy.
Low relevance · Components & subsystems · Mexico, San Pedro Garza García · founded 1971
- 48LowComponents & subsystemsGeelongAustralia2007––
The only volume producer of one-piece carbon fibre automotive wheels (Ford, Ferrari, GM); listing shown as null because Nasdaq panels denied continued listing of CREV in 2025–26.
Low relevance · Components & subsystems · Australia, Geelong · founded 2007
- Very low2 companies
- 49Very lowComponents & subsystemsLucknowIndia1963–PTCIL
Building India's first integrated titanium and superalloy remelting plant (Aerolloy Technologies) for aerospace castings and supplies engine parts to Safran and Rolls-Royce.
Very low relevance · Components & subsystems · India, Lucknow · founded 1963
- 50Very lowComponents & subsystemsMelakaMalaysia1990–Private
CTRM (Composites Technology Research Malaysia)DRB-HICOM's composite aerostructures maker (Airbus A320/A350 parts) that bought Spirit AeroSystems Malaysia in December 2025.
Very low relevance · Components & subsystems · Malaysia, Melaka · founded 1990
