Europe Composite Cylinders Market Expected to Reach $173.6 Million by 2032

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research titled, “Europe Composite Cylinders Market by Cylinder Type, Fiber Type, End-Use, and Country: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022–2032.”

The Europe composite cylinders market was valued at $117.0 million in 2022 and is projected to reach $173.6 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.1% from 2023 to 2032.

Introduction

The composite cylinders are designed to withstand the high pressures required to store gases such as CNG and CHG safely. They offer several advantages over traditional metal cylinders, including lighter weight, corrosion resistance, and potentially higher storage capacities. This makes them a popular choice for applications where weight reduction, space-saving, and safety are crucial considerations, such as in automotive fuel systems for CNG or hydrogen-powered vehicles.

These cylinders are engineered to withstand high pressures and are used in a variety of applications across different industries. The unique properties of composite materials make them ideal for applications where weight reduction, corrosion resistance, and durability are critical factors.

One of the primary applications of composite cylinders is in the storage and transportation of compressed natural gas (CNG) and compressed hydrogen gas (CHG). These cylinders play a crucial role in the alternative fuels industry by providing safe and efficient storage solutions for gases that are increasingly being used as cleaner alternatives to traditional fossil fuels. CNG cylinders are commonly used in vehicles powered by natural gas, such as buses, trucks, and cars. These cylinders allow for the efficient storage of CNG at high pressures, enabling vehicles to carry an adequate amount of fuel for extended distances.

In addition to their use in the transportation sector, composite cylinders find applications in industries such as aerospace, marine, and firefighting. In aerospace, these cylinders are employed for storing gases used in aircraft systems, such as oxygen for breathing and nitrogen for fuel tank insertion. The lightweight nature of composite cylinders contributes to fuel efficiency and payload capacity in aircraft design. Similarly, in the marine industry, composite cylinders are utilized for various purposes, including buoyancy devices, life rafts, and gas storage for onboard systems.

Market Dynamics

Rise in environmental awareness drives the growth of Europe composite cylinders market. The use of natural gas as a transport fuel has environmental advantages such as, natural gas is a clean burning fuel with very low nitrogen oxides and soot emissions, thus substantially improving the local air quality in Europe. In addition, natural gas produces less CO₂ for every unit of energy consumed by the vehicle. CNG is employed to power passenger cars and city busses. These vehicles emit 5-10% less CO₂ than comparable gasoline-powered vehicles. Hence, for city busses often diesel powered, the benefits of CNG lay in the improvement of the local air quality and not in the CO₂ emission reduction.

Iberdrola has commissioned the largest plant producing green hydrogen for industrial use in Europe where CHG cylinder is gaining popularity for storing and transporting hydrogen gas. The Puertollano (Spain) plant consists of a 100 MW photovoltaic solar plant, a lithium-ion battery system with a storage capacity of 20 MWh and one of the largest electrolytic hydrogen production systems in the world (20 MW).

Longevity and durability of composite cylinder provides a lucrative opportunity to the Europe composite cylinders market analysis. Composite cylinders provide a reliable storage solution for CNG or CHG, ensuring continuous availability of fuel during grid outages or when renewable energy sources are insufficient. This reliability is crucial for maintaining uninterrupted operations in critical infrastructure and essential services. Composite cylinders offer scalability, allowing backup power systems to be customized according to the specific power requirements of commercial and industrial facilities. Additional cylinders can be easily added or removed as needed, providing flexibility in system design and operation.

Utilizing CNG or CHG as a fuel source in backup storage systems powered by composite cylinders promotes environmental sustainability by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions. This aligns with corporate sustainability goals and regulatory requirements related to greenhouse gas emissions. European countries have stringent regulations governing the storage and use of compressed gases, including CNG and CHG. These regulations may include standards for cylinder design, manufacturing, testing, and certification to ensure safety and compliance with relevant directives such as the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) and the ATEX Directive for explosive atmospheres.

Segments Overview

The Europe composite cylinder market forecast is segmented into cylinder type, fiber type, end use, and country. On the basis of cylinder type, the market is classified into compressed natural gas (CNG) and compressed hydrogen gas (CHG). On the basis of fiber type, the market is diversified into glass fiber composites, carbon fiber composites, aramid fiber composites, and others. On the basis of end use, the market is categorized into gas carriers and storage, transportation, life support, recreation, and others. Country-wise, the market is analyzed across Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, and Rest of Europe.

Based on cylinder type compressed hydrogen gas (CHG) is the fastest growing segment to the market. Composite cylinders are used to store hydrogen in fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) and other hydrogen-powered vehicles. FCVs use hydrogen as fuel, which reacts with oxygen in the air to produce electricity, powering the vehicle and emitting only water vapor as a byproduct. Composite cylinders offer lightweight and durable storage solutions for hydrogen, making them suitable for automotive applications.

Based on fiber type aramid fiber composites is the fastest-growing segment to the market. Composite cylinders reinforced with aramid fibers are commonly used as pressure vessels in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and marine. They can store gases or liquids at high pressures due to their high tensile strength and resistance to deformation. Aramid fiber composite cylinders are often used for storing and transporting compressed gases, including industrial gases, medical gases, and specialty gases. Their lightweight nature and high strength make them ideal for applications where weight

Country Analysis

Based on Europe, Germany dominated the Europe composite cylinders market share. In Germany, composite cylinders find applications in the automotive industry, particularly for storing compressed natural gas (CNG) or hydrogen for fuel-cell vehicles. With the increasing emphasis on reducing emissions and transitioning to alternative fuels, composite cylinders play a vital role in storing and delivering these gases safely.

France has a significant presence of composite cylinders in the transportation sector, particularly in the maritime industry. Many vessels operating in French waters utilize composite cylinders for storing compressed gases like hydrogen and CNG, enabling cleaner and more sustainable maritime transportation. The UK government's initiatives to promote cleaner transportation have led to the widespread adoption of CNG-powered vehicles, driving the demand for composite cylinders. In addition, composite cylinders find applications in the medical sector for storing and transporting medical gases to healthcare facilities across the country.

The major players operating in the Europe composite cylinders industry analysis include Hexagon Ragasco AS, Luxfer Gas Cylinders, Plastic Omnium, Worthington Industries, NPROXX, Mahytec, Voith GmbH & Co. KGaA, and FORVIA Faurecia.

Key Findings of the Study

• By cylinder type, compressed nitrogen gas (CNG) dominated and accounting for more than half of the market share in the Europe composite cylinders market growth.
• By end-use, transportation is the most lucrative accounting growing with a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period.
• Country-wise, Germany dominated the Europe composite cylinders market size growing with a CAGR of 3.1% from 2023-2032.