The goal of this report is to provide a detailed and comprehensive multi-client study of the North American market for carbon, aramid, partially oxidized polyacrylonitrile, polybenzimidazole, and other specialty fibers used in aircraft and aerospace, sporting goods, automotive, and other industrial products as well as the potential business opportunities in the market.  The report’s objectives include a thorough coverage of the underlying economic issues driving the specialty fiber and materials business as well as assessments of new and potential products that companies are developing.  Social, political, and regulatory issues are also covered, as are international markets.  Another important objective is to provide realistic market data and forecasts for specialty fibers.

This technology/marketing report starts with an overview of specialty fiber types including a history of fiber development and the overall composites marketplace.  The report then moves on to processing technology trends and secondary processing and fabrication methods before proceeding to a detailed assessment of markets and product applications.  This assesses the market growth, materials, production, status of commercial development, barriers to entry, and market leaders.  A comprehensive analysis of the industry structure is provided and ends with profiles of the leading specialty fiber companies.

REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY

A small yet strategic global market, specialty fibers are a critical and essential element in many advanced technologies.  The specialty fibers industry, however, has changed significantly since the last update of this report.  The financial crisis and a severe global recession particularly affected industrial and other end-use markets for specialty fibers, leading to diminished demand.  At the same time, new entrants in China and expansions by existing producers have resulted in additional capacity.  In turn, this has led to lower operating rates for many producers, a more competitive market, and pricing pressures.  These drivers will continue.  

In the long term the market for specialty fibers will expand as a result of technological advancements and strength in several end-use markets.  With the rapid changes in the industry structure and in the accelerated rise of new, expanding applications, a technology/marketing report with an updated unified view of materials and applications is needed.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

In a multi-client format, this study provides the most complete accounting of specialty fiber developments currently available.  It provides the most thorough and up-to-date assessment that can be found anywhere on the subject.  The study also provides extensive quantification of the many important facets of market developments in specific fibers.  This, in turn, contributes to the determination of what kind of strategic response suppliers may adopt in order to compete in this market.   

Audiences for this study include marketing executives, business unit managers, commercial development directors, and other decision-makers in specialty fiber companies.  Technology suppliers, fabricators and assemblers, suppliers of competing and ancillary materials, suppliers of plastic resins, end-use product manufacturing companies, and other companies peripheral to this business also represent a key audience.

SCOPE OF REPORT

The scope of this report is comprehensive, covering the present status of and future prospects for specialty fibers and products in North America.  As defined in this report, North America includes the United States and Canada.  Basically, the scope of the report includes diverse segments such as sporting goods, light vehicles, aircraft/aerospace, and various industrial applications.  Fibers covered include carbon, aramid, partially oxidized polyacrylonitrile, polybenzimidazole, and other specialty fibers (metal matrix composite, polyphenylene sulfide, boron, carbon-silicon carbide, and other advanced fibers).  

These are analyzed in detail as are technology developments, market conditions and opportunities, and 5-year forecasts.  The role of new technologies is reviewed in this comprehensive report.  This research study analyzes the current North American market in detail and identifies the most promising market opportunities for the next 5 years.  The markets in Western Europe, Japan, China, and other global markets are covered as well.

In order to generate the information necessary to construct a reasonable future market for specialty fibers, it is necessary to undertake an examination of the advantages and disadvantages of the various types of materials and technologies.  In addition to various fiber types, this examination also covers the many issues concerning the merits and future prospects of the business, including corporate strategies, technologies, and the means for providing these products and service offerings.  It also covers in detail the regulatory and economic issues that so many regard as critical to the industry’s current state of change.  The report provides a review of the specialty fibers industry and its structure, and the many companies involved in providing these materials and technologies.   The competitive position of the main players in the market and the strategic options they face are also discussed, as well as such competitive factors as marketing, distribution, and operations.

In this report, the term revenue is equivalent to, and is used interchangeably with the terms purchases, demand, and sales.  All growth rates mentioned in the tables and in the text are based on the compound annual rate of growth from 2011 through the year 2016.  In most cases, the actual quantity or volume (in pounds) is measured, and the calculated growth rates are easy to comprehend.  Because current dollar measures are used to measure revenues, these growth rates reflect the growth in volume or real growth, including the effects of price changes and changes in product/service mix.  The sum of the components in tables may not add to the total due to independent rounding.  Historical data from 2007 through 2011 are presented in the tables in this report.  Data prior to 2007 are available.  

The research methodology was qualitative in nature and employed a triangulating approach, which aids validity.  The research involved two stages, one involving secondary research and the other primary research.  

Initially, a patent search and analysis was conducted.  This strategy identified companies and market applications and was the initiating force in research direction.  Next, a comprehensive and exhaustive search of the literature on carbon, aramid, and other specialty fibers was conducted.  These secondary sources included automotive and related journals and related books, trade literature, marketing literature, other product/promotional literature, annual reports, security analyst reports, and other publications.  

In a second phase, a series of semistructured interviews were conducted with marketing executives, engineers, business unit managers, design engineers, and other personnel at the specialty fiber companies.  Other sources include academics, technology and materials suppliers, technical experts, trade association officials, government officials, and consulting companies.  These were a rich source of data.  Subsequent analysis of the documents and interview notes was iterative.

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

• The global market for specialty fibers was 412 million pounds in the year 2010.  This market increased to 437 million pounds in 2011, and is expected to grow to 634 million pounds by 2016, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7% for the five year period 2011 to 2016.
• The aviation/aerospace segment of the market was nearly 50 million pounds in 2010, which increased to 53 million pounds in 2011. Report forecasts this market to reach 80 million pounds by 2016, a CAGR of 8.8%.
• The global automotive market increased from 45 million pounds in 2010 to 47 million pounds in 2011. This market is estimated to reach 63 million pounds by the end of 2016 at a CAGR of 6%.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION  
    STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES   
    REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY  
    INTENDED AUDIENCE
    SCOPE OF REPORT  
    AUTHOR'S CREDENTIALS  
    DISCLAIMER  

CHAPTER TWO: SUMMARY  
    SUMMARY  6
   SUMMARY TABLE THE GLOBAL MARKET FOR SPECIALTY FIBERS,
     THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  8
   SUMMARY FIGURE THE GLOBAL MARKET FOR SPECIALTY
     FIBERS, 2007-2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)   9

CHAPTER THREE: REGULATORY, ECONOMIC, AND TECHNOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT
    OVERVIEW   10
    REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS  10
         REGULATIONS PROMOTING DEMAND   10
    ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES   11
         ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES (CONTINUED)   12
    END-OF-LIFE ISSUES  13
    PRODUCT SAFETY   13
    DEVELOPMENTS IN END-USE MARKETS   14
   TABLE 1 GLOBAL ECONOMIC, TRADE, AND INDUSTRIAL
     PRODUCTION GROWTH, 2007-2016 (PERCENT CHANGE PER
     YEAR IN OUTPUT VOLUME)   14
                  AIRCRAFT/AEROSPACE  15
   TABLE 2 SPECIALTY FIBERS USED IN THE GLOBAL
     AIRCRAFT/AEROSPACE MARKET, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS
     OF POUNDS)   15
                            Opportunities from New Programs  16
                                 Opportunities from New Programs (Continued)   17
   FIGURE 1 TRENDS IN THE DIFFUSION OF COMPOSITES IN
      SELECTED COMMERCIAL AND MILITARY APPLICATIONS, 1970-
      2010 (%)  18
   FIGURE 2 MATERIAL COMPOSITION OF 787 DREAMLINER
      STRUCTURE (%)   19
                            Aerospace Market Dynamics  20
   FIGURE 3 LARGE COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT ORDERS, 1995­2010 21
                            Aerospace Market Dynamics (Continued)   22
                            Aerospace Market Dynamics (Continued)   23
                            Aerospace Market Dynamics (Continued)   24
                      Aircraft/Aerospace Market Outlook  25
                  SPORTING GOODS   25
   TABLE 3 SPECIALTY FIBERS USED IN THE GLOBAL SPORTING
     GOODS MARKET, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  26
                  AUTOMOTIVE   27
   TABLE 4 SPECIALTY FIBERS USED IN THE GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE
     MARKET, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS) 27
   TABLE 5 GLOBAL LIGHT VEHICLE ASSEMBLIES BY REGION,
     THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF UNITS)  28
                      North American Outlook   29
                      Global Outlook   30
                            Global Outlook (Continued)  31
                      Changes in Industry Structure   32
                  INDUSTRIAL   32
   TABLE 6 SPECIALTY FIBERS USED IN THE GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL
     MARKET, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS) 33
   TABLE 7 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION GROWTH, SELECTED
     NATIONS, 2007-2016 (PERCENT CHANGE PER YEAR IN OUTPUT
     VOLUME)   34

CHAPTER FOUR: NEW DIRECTIONS OF TECHNOLOGY: ANALYSIS OF PATENT TRENDS 
   FIGURE 4 SPECIALTY FIBER PATENTS ISSUED BY YEAR,
      2003-2011  36
   FIGURE 5 SPECIALTY FIBER PATENTS ISSUED BY MATERIAL,
      2008­2011 (%)  37
   FIGURE 6 SPECIALTY FIBER PATENTS BY NATION, 2008­2011 (%)  38
   FIGURE 6 (CONTINUED)  39
   TABLE 8 SPECIALTY FIBER-RELATED PATENT ACTIVITY, BY
      ASSIGNEE WITH FIVE OR MORE PATENTS, 2008-2011  39

CHAPTER FIVE: SPECIALTY FIBERS 
    OVERVIEW   40
   TABLE 9 GLOBAL SPECIALTY FIBERS MARKET BY VOLUME,
     THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  40
   TABLE 10 GLOBAL SPECIALTY FIBERS MARKET BY VALUE,
     THROUGH 2012 ($ MILLIONS)   41
         CARBON FIBERS  42
             HISTORY OF CARBON FIBER  42
                  History of Carbon Fiber (Continued)  43
                  History of Carbon Fiber (Continued)  44
FIGURE 7 HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF CARBON FIBER,
   1970-2010  45
               TECHNOLOGY  46
                   PAN-Based Fibers   46
                   Pitch-Based Fibers  47
FIGURE 8 HOW CARBON FIBER IS MADE  47
                   Rayon-Based Fibers   48
                   Chemical Vapor Deposition   48
                   Processing of Carbon Fibers  49
                         Continuous-Fiber Composites  49
                         Discontinuous-Fiber Composites 50
                         Non-Polymeric Matrixes   51
                   Forms Available   51
               COMPETITIVE COMPARISON   52
TABLE 11 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF CARBON-
  CARBON COMPOSITES  53
               NORTH AMERICA  54
                   Aircraft/Aerospace   54
FIGURE 9 NORTH AMERICAN AIRCRAFT/AEROSPACE
   APPLICATIONS FOR CARBON FIBER (%)   55
                                  Military Aircraft Applications  56
TABLE 12 MILITARY AIRCRAFT PROGRAMS INCORPORATING
  CARBON FIBERS 57
                               Commercial Aircraft Applications  58
                               Regional/Business Aircraft Applications   59
                               Helicopter Applications  60
                               Space/Rocket Applications  60
                                     Space/  (Continued)  61
                               Other Aircraft/Aerospace Applications  62
                         Sporting Goods  62
TABLE 13 NORTH AMERICAN SPORTING GOODS MARKETS FOR
  CARBON FIBERS, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  63
                         Automotive   64
TABLE 14 NORTH AMERICAN AUTOMOTIVE MARKETS FOR
  CARBON FIBERS, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)   65
                         Other Industrial  66
TABLE 15 NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL MARKETS FOR
  CARBON FIBERS, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)   67
                         North American Outlook Summary  68
TABLE 16 NORTH AMERICAN OUTLOOK FOR CARBON FIBERS,
  THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  69
               WESTERN EUROPE   69
TABLE 17 WESTERN EUROPE OUTLOOK FOR CARBON FIBERS,
  THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  70
                  Aircraft/Aerospace   70
                  Sporting Goods  71
                  Automotive   71
                  Other Industrial  72
              JAPAN  73
TABLE 18 JAPAN OUTLOOK FOR CARBON FIBERS, THROUGH 2016
  (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)   73
                  Aircraft/Aerospace   74
                  Sporting Goods  74
                  Automotive   75
                  Other Industrial  76
              CHINA  76
TABLE 19 CHINA OUTLOOK FOR CARBON FIBERS, THROUGH 2016
  (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)   77
              REST OF THE WORLD   77
TABLE 20 REST OF THE WORLD OUTLOOK FOR CARBON FIBERS,
  THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  78
              PRICES   78
                   Prices (Continued)   79
              GLOBAL OUTLOOK   80
TABLE 21 GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR CARBON FIBERS BY MARKET,
  THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  80
TABLE 22 GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR CARBON FIBERS BY REGION,
  THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  81
              FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS: CARBON FIBERS   81
                   Intensity of Rivalry  82
                   New Entrants  82
                   Substitute Products   83
                   Buyer Power  83
                   Supplier Power  83
FIGURE 10 CARBON FIBER SUPPLY CHAIN  84
              CARBON FIBER INDUSTRY STRUCTURE   84
              SUPPLIERS   85
FIGURE 11 GLOBAL CARBON FIBER MARKET SHARE BY
   PRODUCER, 2011 (190 2 MILLION POUNDS)  86
FIGURE 12 GLOBAL CARBON FIBER CAPACITY BY
   NATION/REGION, 2011 (190 2 MILLION POUNDS)  87
FIGURE 12 (CONTINUED)  88
     ARAMID FIBERS   89
         TECHNOLOGY  89
         NORTH AMERICA  90
              Aircraft/Aerospace   91
TABLE 23 NORTH AMERICAN AIRCRAFT/AEROSPACE MARKET
  FOR ARAMID FIBERS, THROUGH 2016 THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  91
                          Sporting Goods  92
                          Automotive   92
TABLE 24 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ARAMID FIBER
  IN FRICTION PRODUCTS   92
TABLE 25 REASONS AGAINST USING ADDITIONAL ARAMID FIBER
  IN FRICTION MATERIALS   93
                                    Automotive (Continued)   94
TABLE 26 NORTH AMERICAN AUTOMOTIVE MARKET FOR ARAMID
  FIBERS, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  95
                          Industrial   95
TABLE 27 NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL MARKET FOR ARAMID
  FIBERS, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  95
                                Industrial (Continued)  96
                          Outlook   97
TABLE 28 NORTH AMERICAN OUTLOOK FOR ARAMID FIBERS,
  THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  98
                WESTERN EUROPE   98
TABLE 29 WESTERN EUROPEAN OUTLOOK FOR ARAMID FIBERS,
  THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  99
                JAPAN  99
TABLE 30 JAPANESE OUTLOOK FOR ARAMID FIBERS, THROUGH
  2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  99
                CHINA  100
TABLE 31 CHINESE OUTLOOK FOR ARAMID FIBERS, THROUGH
  2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  100
                REST OF THE WORLD   100
TABLE 32 REST OF THE WORLD OUTLOOK FOR ARAMID FIBERS,
  THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)   101
                PRICES   101
                OUTLOOK  101
TABLE 33 GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR ARAMID FIBERS, THROUGH
  2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)   102
                SUPPLIERS   102
FIGURE 13 GLOBAL META-ARAMID FIBER MARKET SHARE, 2011
   (%)   103
                          Suppliers (Continued) 104
FIGURE 14 GLOBAL PARA-ARAMID MARKET SHARE, 2011 (%) 105
      PARTIALLY OXIDIZED POLYACRYLONITRILE (POA) FIBERS  105
           TECHNOLOGY  106
           MARKETS  106
TABLE 34 MARKET FOR PARTIALLY OXIDIZED
  POLYACRYLONITRILE FIBERS IN NORTH AMERICA, THROUGH
  2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  107
TABLE 35 MARKET FOR PARTIALLY OXIDIZED
  POLYACRYLONITRILE FIBERS IN WESTERN EUROPE,
  THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  107
TABLE 36 MARKET FOR PARTIALLY OXIDIZED
  POLYACRYLONITRILE FIBERS IN JAPAN, THROUGH 2016
  (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)   108
               OUTLOOK  108
TABLE 37 GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR PARTIALLY OXIDIZED
  POLYACRYLONITRILE FIBERS, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF
  POUNDS)   109
               SUPPLIERS   109
FIGURE 15 GLOBAL PARTIALLY OXIDIZED POLYACRYLONITRILE
   FIBER MARKET SHARE, 2011 (%)  110
     HIGH-STRENGTH POLYETHYLENE FIBERS  110
         TECHNOLOGY  111
         MARKETS  111
         OUTLOOK  112
TABLE 38 GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR HIGH-STRENGTH
  POLYETHYLENE FIBERS BY MARKET, THROUGH 2016
  (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)   112
TABLE 39 GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR HIGH-STRENGTH
  POLYETHYLENE FIBERS BY REGION, THROUGH 2016
  (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)   113
               SUPPLIERS   113
FIGURE 16 GLOBAL HIGH-STRENGTH POLYETHYLENE FIBER
   MARKET SHARE, 2011 (%)  114
     POLYBENZIMIDAZOLE (PBI) FIBERS   115
         TECHNOLOGY  115
         MARKETS  115
         OUTLOOK  116
TABLE 40 GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR POLYBENZIMIDAZOLE (PBI)
  FIBERS, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)   116
TABLE 41 NORTH AMERICAN OUTLOOK FOR
  POLYBENZIMIDAZOLE (PBI) FIBERS BY MARKET, THROUGH
  2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  117
         SUPPLIER  117
     OTHER ADVANCED FIBERS   118
TABLE 42 GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR OTHER ADVANCED FIBERS,
  THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  118
               METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE (MMC) FIBERS  119
                   Manufacturing Technology   119
                         Manufacturing Technology (Continued)  120
                   Barriers to Adoption  121
                   Markets  122
TABLE 43 MMC APPLICATIONS BY MARKET SEGMENT   123
                        Outlook   124
TABLE 44 GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE
  (MMC) FIBERS BY REGION, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF
  POUNDS)   124
TABLE 45 GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE
  (MMC) FIBERS BY MARKET, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF
  POUNDS)   125
                   Suppliers  125
               POLYPHENYLENE SULFIDE (PPS) FIBERS  126
                   Manufacturing Technology   126
                   Markets  127
                   Outlook   128
TABLE 46 GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR POLYPHENYLENE SULFIDE
  (PPS) FIBERS, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS) 128
                        Suppliers  129
FIGURE 17 GLOBAL POLYPHENYLENE SULFIDE (PPS) FIBER
   MARKET SHARE, 2011 (%)  130
               POLYIMIDE FIBERS  131
                   Manufacturing Technology   131
                   Markets  132
                        Outlook  133
TABLE 47 GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR POLYIMIDE FIBERS, THROUGH
  2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)   133
                   Supplier  134
               POLYAMIDEIMIDE (PAI) FIBERS 134
TABLE 48 GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR POLYAMIDEIMIDE (PAI)
  FIBERS, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)   135
               NOVOLOID FIBERS   135
TABLE 49 GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR NOVOLOID FIBERS, THROUGH
  2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  136
               MISCELLANEOUS ADVANCED FIBERS  136
TABLE 50 GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR MISCELLANEOUS ADVANCED
  FIBERS, THROUGH 2016 (POUNDS)   137
                        Boron  138
TABLE 51 FIGHTER AND OTHER AIRCRAFT USING BORON FIBER   139
TABLE 52 NORTH AMERICAN OUTLOOK FOR BORON FIBERS BY
  MARKET, THROUGH 2016 (POUNDS)  140
TABLE 53 GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR BORON FIBERS, THROUGH 2016
  (POUNDS)  141
                        Carbon-Silicon Carbide   141
                             Carbon-Silicon   (Continued) 142
TABLE 54 GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR CARBON-SILICON CARBIDE
  FIBERS, THROUGH 2016 (POUNDS)   143
                            Miscellaneous Advanced Fibers  143
                            Steel Fibers  144

CHAPTER SIX: INTERNATIONAL MARKETS 
    OVERVIEW   145
   TABLE 55 GLOBAL SPECIALTY FIBER OUTLOOK BY REGION,
      THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  145
   FIGURE 18 SHARE OF INCREMENTAL GLOBAL GROWTH IN
      SPECIALTY FIBERS DEMAND: 1999­2011 VERSUS 2011­2016 (%)   146
   FIGURE 18 (CONTINUED)  147
         NORTH AMERICA   147
   TABLE 56 NORTH AMERICAN SPECIALTY FIBERS MARKET BY
     FIBER, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)   148
         WESTERN EUROPE  149
             WESTERN EUROPE (CONTINUED)  150
   TABLE 57 WESTERN EUROPEAN SPECIALTY FIBERS MARKET BY
     FIBER, THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  151
         JAPAN   152
   TABLE 58 JAPANESE SPECIALTY FIBERS MARKET BY FIBER,
     THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  153
         CHINA   153
   TABLE 59 CHINESE SPECIALTY FIBERS MARKET BY FIBER,
     THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  154
         REST OF THE WORLD 155
   TABLE 60 REST OF WORLD SPECIALTY FIBERS MARKET BY FIBER,
     THROUGH 2016 (THOUSANDS OF POUNDS)  156
                  REST OF THE WORLD (CONTINUED)  157

CHAPTER SEVEN: INDUSTRY STRUCTURE
    OVERVIEW   158
   TABLE 61 STRATEGIC ANALYSIS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN
     SPECIALTY FIBERS MARKET   159
         INNOVATION AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT  159
             TECHNOLOGICAL STRATEGIES   160
             RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FUNDING   160
             OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES   161
                  Other Research Activities (Continued)   162
             FUTURE TRENDS IN RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT   163
             MANUFACTURING STRATEGIES 163
             SCALE ECONOMIES AND VERTICAL INTEGRATION   164
             LABOR  164
             COST STRUCTURE  165
             FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE   165
         MARKETING  166
             PRICING AND BARGAINING POWER   166
             MARKET SEGMENTATION  167
        DIFFERENTIATION STRATEGIES   167
             RELATIONS WITH OEM CUSTOMERS   168
             GLOBAL MARKETING   169
             DISTRIBUTION AND OTHER MARKETING   170
                  Distribution and   (Continued)   171
        OTHER CONSIDERATIONS   172
             TYPES OF COMPANIES  172
             CONCENTRATION   172
             CONSOLIDATION   173

CHAPTER EIGHT: COMPANY PROFILES  

 NORTH AMERICAN COMPANIES 174
 3M COMPANY 174
 ADVANCED COMPOSITES GROUP LTD 175
 ADVANCED COMPOSITE MATERIALS, LLC 176
 AEROCELL CORPORATION 176
 ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP 176
 ALDILA, INC 177
 ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC 177
 AMERICAN METAL FIBERS INC 178
 ASTENJOHNSON, INC 178
 BALLARD MATERIAL PRODUCTS, INC 179
 CPS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION 180
 CYTEC INDUSTRIES, INC 180
 E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY 181
  E I DuPont de Nemours (Continued) 182
 ELECTRO FIBER TECHNOLOGIES LLC 183
 FMW COMPOSITE SYSTEMS, INC 183
 GRAFIL, INC 184
 HEXCEL CORPORATION 184
 HITCO CARBON COMPOSITES, INC 185
 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC 186
 J D LINCOLN, INC 187
 METAL MATRIX CAST COMPOSITES, INC 187
 MOMENTIVE PERFORMANCE MATERIALS INC 188
 MUTUAL INDUSTRIES INC 189
 NELCOTE, INC 189
 PBI PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC 190
 PERFORMANCE MATERIALS CORPORATION 190
 QUANTUM COMPOSITES, INC 191
 RIBBON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION 191
 RIO TINTO ALCAN, INC 192
 SHAKESPEARE COMPANY LLC 192
 SPECIALTY MATERIALS, INC 193
 STARFIRE SYSTEMS, INC 193
 TENCATE ADVANCED COMPOSITES 194
 TRITON SYSTEMS, INC 195
 UNIFRAX CORPORATION 195
 ZOLTEK COMPANIES, INC 196
 WESTERN EUROPEAN COMPANIES 197
 NV BEKAERT SA 197
 COMPAGNIE DE SAINT-GOBAIN SA 198
 DSM N V 198
 EVONIK FIBRES GMBH 199
 KERMEL SAS 200
 RATH AG 200
 SGL GROUP 201
 SOCI T DES FIBRES DE CARBONE S A (SOFICAR) 202
 UMECO PLC 203
JAPANESE COMPANIES 203
 DENKA KAGAKU KOGYO K K 204
 GUN EI CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO , LTD 204
 KUREHA CORPORATION 205
 MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION 206
 NICHIAS CORPORATION 207
 NIPPON CARBON CO , LTD 207
 NIPPON GRAPHITE FIBER CORPORATION 208
 OSAKA GAS CHEMICALS CO , LTD 209
 OTSUKA CHEMICAL CO , LTD 209
 SHIKOKU CHEMICALS CORPORATION 210
 SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED 210
 TAIMEI CHEMICALS COMPANY, LTD 211
 TEIJIN LIMITED 211
 Teijin Limited (Continued) 212
 TOHO TENAX CO , LTD 213
 TOKAI CARBON CO , LTD 214
 TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC 214
 TORAY MONOFILAMENT CO , LTD 215
 TOYOBO CO LTD 216
 UBE INDUSTRIES, LTD 217
CHINESE COMPANIES 217
 ANSHAN EAST ASIA CARBON FIBERS CO , LTD 217
 CHINA WORLDBEST HOLDING LTD 218
 DALIAN XINGKE CARBON FIBER CO , LTD 218
 JIANGSU RUITAI SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO , LTD 219
 LIANYUNGANG ZHONGFU LIANZHONG COMPOSITES
 GROUP CO , LTD 219
 SHANGHAI SXCARBON TECHNOLOGY CO , LTD 220
 SICHUAN DEYANG SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CO , LTD 220
 SINOSTEEL JILIN CARBON CO , LTD 221
 SRO GROUP LIMITED 221
 WEIHAI TUOZHAN FIBER CO , LTD 222
 YANTAI SPANDEX CO , LTD 222
OTHER COMPANIES 223
 AKSA AKRILIK KIMYA SANAYII A S 223
 FORMOSA PLASTICS CORPORATION 223
 Formosa Plastics (Continued) 224