Lightweight Materials

Lightweight materials are used to reduce the weight of the product or component of the system either by replacing the traditional materials or by making design changes while maintaining the strength of the product to the same level.

Lighter materials increase the efficiency of the product. For instance, replacing traditional materials such as iron and steel components of a car with lightweight materials such as magnesium, alloys, carbon fibers, aluminum or composite polymers will reduce the weight of the vehicle’s body by up to 50% and ultimately will result in reduced fuel consumption, thereby increasing overall efficiency.

Based on the material type, lightweight materials can be categorized as composite type, metal type, and plastic type.

Lightweight metals make a major contribution to the market due to their wide usage in the automotive and other sectors. Lightweight composites contribute around 20% and plastics contribute 6-7% of the total lightweight market.

Aluminum, Magnesium, Titanium, Beryllium, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic, Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic, Polycarbonates, Polypropylene, Elastomers, and Polyamide are the most widely used lightweight materials. Some companies are also exploring the advantages of alloys.

The top lightweight materials companies are DuPont, ArcelorMittal, Thyssenkrupp, ExxonMobil, Solvay, Toray Industries, Covestro, Lyondellbasell, VSMPO-AVISMA, and Allegheny.

The automotive industry will dominate the lightweight market. However, aerospace and defense, building and construction, health and medical, equipment, and electronics industries also make a significant contribution. Other industries such as power and energy, retail, food, beverages, and others are yet to realize the complete potential of lightweight materials, and hence are still emerging in the lightweight materials market.

Currently, metal alloys and lightweight steel are the major areas of focus for the companies.