Figures taken from the UKTI supply chain study 2010.

Currently there are around 1500 companies involved in the UK composite sector. Annual production revenue amounts to £1.1 billion, about £0.4 billion of which is exported.

UK domestic demand for composite components is £0.9 billion, comprising UK production of £1.1bn less exports of £0.4bn (mostly aerospace) plus imports of £0.2bn (mostly wind turbine blades).

By volume, glass fibre composite production is 87kt with carbon fibre composite 2.5kt per annum.
By value production, glass fibre composites account for £0.45bn and carbon fibre composites £0.66bn.

UK demand for composites is expected to grow rapidly over the next 5 years to £2bn in 2015. The UK growth rates for glass fibre (9%pa) and carbon fibre (17%pa) composites are faster than those forecast for the UK and the rest of Europe, and match or exceed those of emerging markets. Exploiting this growth is a huge opportunity for the UK composites industry.