The production of PAN fibers for this market segment is relatively small when compared to the textile market, but its added value is quite high due to the special mechanical properties of the carbon fiber obtained for mainly aeronautical and aerospace use.

Approximately 90% of the world's carbon fiber production uses PAN fibers as a precursor, the remaining being produced with other raw materials such as tar and rayon. The current production of carbon fiber is 140,000 tons per year, which represents a production of PAN precursor fiber in the order of 280,000 tons per year, considering that the carbon yield of this fiber is approximately 50%. The worldwide production capacity is around 151 thousand tons per year.



This market is growing, mainly with the expansion of new applications in the automotive, oil, gas and power generation areas. Most of the world production is located in Asia (40%), then Europe (37%) and North America (21%).

The main world manufacturers are: