Metal Foam Market

Metal Foam Market: By Material, Application, End-Use Industry, and Region

Market Synopsis

Global Metal Foam market is valued at USD 91.52 Million in 2022 and is projected to attain a value of USD 125.25 Million by 2030 at a CAGR of 4.00% during the forecast period, 2022–2028.

Metal Foam's ability to absorb massive amounts of force make it very appealing for use within structures or other items that are likely to experience extreme forces during an impact. For example, military vehicles potentially employ Metal Foam as a means of absorbing shrapnel from nearby explosions, thereby protecting its occupants. However, because the process by which metals expand into a sponge-like form is still relatively new there are not yet any useful applications for it just yet. While Metal Foam may not yet have any practical applications, reducing the cost by which these structures are made would certainly increase their potential applications tremendously. When combined with other technologies that also allow for improved strength or impact-absorption capabilities within a structure or item, Metal Foam is likely to become a much more important industrial product.

Segmentation

Metal Foam market is segmented by material, application, end-use, and region. Based on the material, the market is segmented as aluminum, nickel, copper, and others. Based on the application, the market is segmented as anti-intrusion bars, heat exchangers, sound absorbers, and others. Based on end use, automotive, construction & infrastructure, industrial, and others.

High Production Cost May Hamper the Metal Foam Market to Some Extent

As of now the cost by which these structures are manufactured is very high, but there have been significant efforts to lower these costs over time. The limited industrial applications of Metal Foam at the moment stem from its limited industrial use as a whole, but once it becomes a more viable option for those involved in manufacturing those using Metal Foam within their products can begin to reap its benefits. A major issue with current production methods is that they create hollow cells with walls as thin as 10 micrometres (0.000393701 inches) thick and this leads to difficulties both during the manufacturing process and after it has been completed, specifically when attempting any type of repair.

Industrial Use of Metal Foam to Increase as Costs are Reduced

The cost by which these structures are made is currently very high, but those involved in manufacturing have been working diligently to lower production costs over time. Currently there are only a few industrial applications for Metal Foam, mainly because pieces manufactured from it right now can be no larger than one cubic foot. This limit makes it impractical for most uses, however smaller pieces of Metal Foam are much more manipulable during the process of shaping them into their desired forms. Despite this issue with size, the idea of using Metal Foam within many different products and industries has already begun to gain attention among several businesses, so once the cost by which they're made comes down further then that interest should only continue to increase.

Demand for Metal Foam Anti-Intrusion Bars to Remain Highest contributor to Metal Foam Market

The European defense industry is entering a new phase of development with major focus on research and innovation. The Battle Lab B08 within the project COSYSMO (Systematic Approach to Competitive Manufacturing for Innovative Reconfigurable Systems) aims at developing cost efficient production methods for unmanned vehicles. Metal Foam anti-intrusion bars are identified as key components in ground robots, which provide protection against mine attacks. This study identifies the market potential of Metal Foam anti-intrusion bars between now and 2025. Wherein, ground robots have many applications ranging from civil security missions to military operations. One particular field where ground robots currently play an important role is demining, e.g., after the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Anti-intrusion bars protect windows, sensors, cameras etc. against mine attacks with small metal fragments.

Asia Pacific to Continue Dominating Metal Foam Market

Light weighting of vehicles coupled with increasing demand for luxury goods are expected to boost the end use industries including engineering, aerospace and defense. Expansion of key markets such as China and India is further projected to drive growth. Asia Pacific is expected to witness growth in the automotive industry, due to increasing demand for passenger automobiles and replacements. Increasing vehicle production in countries including China, India and Japan is expected to boost the growth of Metal Foam market in Asia Pacific during the forecast period. The high population density in these regions results in heavy traffic conditions; thus, manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to improve fuel efficiency by lightening the vehicles' weight. Metal Foam is expected to penetrate faster into applications like engine covers, structural parts and brake discs due to its excellent thermal insulation properties. High usage of metals in automotive part is anticipated to drive Metal Foam market in Asia Pacific over the forecast period.

Competitive Landscape

CYMAT Technologies Ltd. (Canada), ERG Aerospace Corporation (US), Alantum (South Korea), Liaoning Rontec Advanced Material Technology Co., Ltd. (China), Mott Corporation (US), Shanxi Putai Aluminum Foam Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (China), Ultramet (US), Mayser GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), Pohltec Metalfoam GmbH (Germany), and Aluminum King Co., Ltd (China) are some of the key players in the global Metal Foam market.

The Metal Foam is Segmented as Follows: