New E-Composites Market Intelligence Report Uncovers Global Opportunities for Composites Materials: Global Composites Industry Rebounds with 8.7% Growth in 2004

GRANDVILLE, Mich., March 2 -- The composites industry in North America and Europe made a substantial recovery in 2004 from the slump of the past three years (2001-2003). The global composites industry saw a record growth of 8.7% in 2004 according to a new E-Composites market intelligence study, "Global Composites Market 2004 - 2010: Opportunities, Market & Technology." Total composites consumption in 2004 was 13.5 billion lbs. (6.1 million tons). According to this new study, all the major market segments (transportation, construction, pipe & tank, marine, consumer, electrical and electronics), except the wind energy and aerospace, saw over 5% growth in composites demand in 2004. This report covers the status of the composites industry by the end of 2004, and provides an industry outlook for 2005 and beyond for major sectors (transportation, aerospace, etc.) of the composites industry. Each industry's outlook is determined by its own internal rhythms and by changes in the overall economy. In 2005, a lot could change -- for better and for worse. Although overall economic growth will be about the same as in 2004, there will be significant changes in growth rates in various market segments. Moreover, there will be some shakeup in the ranks of winners and losers in material suppliers and in end use markets.

"E-Composites forecasts a growth of 5.6% in 2005 for the global composites industry, with the highest growth rate taking place in the Asia Pacific marketplace," said Dr. Sanjay Mazumdar, E-Composites' President and CEO. "In terms of market segments, wind energy will see the highest growth in 2005 at over 20%," Mazumdar said. This 459-page research report also identifies 15 specific applications, which will grow between 5%-50% annually during 2005- 2010.

This study determines the market size of composite materials by region and by applications and estimates the market trend and forecast, emerging markets and many other key market information. For more information on this study, contact Troy Abernathy by e-mail at troy.abernathy@e-composites.com or call at Tel.: 616-243-4444 or visit http://www.e-composites.com/MarketGlobal2004.htm .

E-Composites, Inc. is a US based market research company that provides market trends, forecasts and competitive analysis. E-Composites, Inc. has over 600 clients worldwide ranging from small to multi-national companies such as Alcoa, Ashland, Dow Chemical, General Motors, GE, Hexcel, Huntsman, Lockheed Martin, Owens Corning, and many more.