Military Kevlar Market to Reach $1.96B by 2030
The global market for military-grade Kevlar is projected to be worth $1.96 billion by 2030, according to a new report from MarketsandMarkets. The forecast analyzes market segments including para-aramid and meta-aramid types, with applications in security, protection, and electrical insulation driving growth.
- Kevlar, a synthetic fiber five times stronger than steel by weight, was invented by DuPont chemist Stephanie Kwolek in 1965 while searching for a lightweight fiber to reinforce tires. - The U.S. military began issuing the Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT) Kevlar helmet and vest in the early 1980s, with its first combat use in Grenada in 1983. This replaced the M1 steel helmet, which had been in use since World War II. - While DuPont is the original inventor, other major players in the market include Teijin Limited, which produces the competing Twaron aramid fiber, Kolon Industries Inc., and Yantai Tayho Advanced Materials Co., Ltd. - Beyond personal armor, Kevlar is used for spall liners inside armored vehicles like the MRAP and Bradley Fighting Vehicle, which catch fragments from high-explosive impacts. It is also used in vital areas of Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. - North America currently represents the largest market for military Kevlar, driven by U.S. Department of Defense spending. However, the Asia-Pacific market is forecast to be the fastest-growing region, with an expected CAGR of 8.5%. - Recent material innovations focus on reducing weight and increasing flexibility for soldiers. In April 2023, DuPont launched Kevlar EXO, a new fiber platform designed to make soft body armor lighter and less restrictive.
