Navigant Research Expects More Than $37 Billion Worth of Wind Blade Materials to Be Produced and Purchased between 2017 and 2026

The wind blade materials market is one of the most competitive, dynamic, and strategically important parts of the wind turbine supply chain, report finds

September 27, 2017 – BOULDER, Colo. — A new report from Navigant Research evaluates global demand for key wind blade materials, including reinforcement fiber, resins, core materials, adhesives, paint and coatings, and metal blade studs, providing market forecasts for revenue, through 2026.

The rapid pace of research and development for winds blades, manufacturing processes, and advanced materials is enabling stronger and longer blades, making wind turbines more efficient, increasing turbine annual energy production, and lowering the cost of energy from wind power plants. This is a massive market by total revenue and the sheer volume of material, and it is driven directly by the global wind power forecast. Click to tweet: According to a new report from @NavigantRSRCH, the materials market for wind blades has an estimated value of $4.57 billion in 2017 and over $37.34 billion in materials is expected to be produced and purchased between 2017 and 2026.

“The wind blade materials market is one of the most competitive, dynamic, and strategically important parts of the wind turbine supply chain,” says Jesse Broehl, senior research analyst with Navigant Research. “Many materials suppliers are competing to meet or ideally exceed the demands of the wind turbine manufacturers and independent wind blade manufacturers.”

Despite the market competition, high growth in wind blade materials is not expected to occur globally during the next decade, according to the report. The United States and China are in a period of peak installation rates, which places downward pressure on the expected 10-year outlook. Country markets with anticipated higher growth, however, include South Africa and numerous countries in Latin America.

The report, Market Data: Wind Blade Materials Demand Forecast, assesses and quantifies global demand for key wind blade materials. The study focuses on revenue estimates for the following wind blade materials: reinforcement fiber (predominantly fiberglass, carbon fiber, and other advanced stitched and woven fabrics), resins (epoxy and polyester), core materials (balsa wood and a range of polymer foam materials), adhesives, paint and coatings, and metal blade studs. Global market forecasts for revenue, segmented by material, region, and country, extend through 2026. The report also examines wind blade cost breakdowns and bill of materials estimates. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the Navigant Research website.

About Navigant Research

Navigant Research, the dedicated research arm of Navigant, provides market research and benchmarking services for rapidly changing and often highly regulated industries. In the energy sector, Navigant Research focuses on in-depth analysis and reporting about global clean technology markets. The team’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Energy Technologies, Utility Transformations, Transportation Efficiencies, and Buildings Innovations sectors. Additional information about Navigant Research can be found at www.navigantresearch.com.

About Navigant

Navigant Consulting, Inc. is a specialized, global professional services firm that helps clients take control of their future. Navigant’s professionals apply deep industry knowledge, substantive technical expertise, and an enterprising approach to help clients build, manage and/or protect their business interests. With a focus on markets and clients facing transformational change and significant regulatory or legal pressures, the Firm primarily serves clients in the healthcare, energy and financial services industries. Across a range of advisory, consulting, outsourcing, and technology/analytics services, Navigant’s practitioners bring sharp insight that pinpoints opportunities and delivers powerful results. More information about Navigant can be found at navigant.com.

* The information contained in this press release concerning the report, Market Data: Wind Blade Materials Demand Forecast, is a summary and reflects Navigant Research’s current expectations based on market data and trend analysis. Market predictions and expectations are inherently uncertain and actual results may differ materially from those contained in this press release or the report. Please refer to the full report for a complete understanding of the assumptions underlying the report’s conclusions and the methodologies used to create the report. Neither Navigant Research nor Navigant undertakes any obligation to update any of the information contained in this press release or the report.