Global consumption in the long fiber thermoplastics (LFT) market is forecast to reach over 313400 tons by the year 2017, encouraged primarily by myriad applications in the automotive industry, as per Global Industry Analysts. Revival of the auto industry after a recession-induced hiatus has been instrumental in driving growth in the LFT composites market, particularly in the manufacture of reinforced structural and semi-structural automobile parts. Market growth is also driven by huge demand from polypropylene, which remains the most dominant resin category for LFTs. While developed Western countries continue to dominate in terms of sheer size, Asia-Pacific, led by China displays immense potential for rapid future growth. Long fiber reinforced thermoplastics (LFT/LFRT) is a relatively recent technology and is fast gaining prominence as an ideal lightweight substitute for several compression and metal molded thermoset parts in the automotive industry. Today, such LFT and LFRT pellet, concentrate and direct in-line compounds offer attractive opportunities in both automotive as well as non-automotive applications. Besides metals, LFTs compete with a wide range of thermoplastic materials including glass mat thermoplastics (GMT), short fiber reinforced engineering plastics and bulk/sheet molding compounds. The length of the reinforcing fiber largely influences the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced thermoplastics. Polypropylene (PP) accounts for the majority share of the demand as the leading matrix material in various compounds. LFT-D technology, used for production of glass fibers and polypropylene based composites, offers outstanding price-to-performance benefits, thereby encouraging usage in the automotive industry for more applications. In the current scenario, the dynamics of LFRT industry extend far beyond the usual macro-economic elements of demand and supply. The long-term success in the industry is determined by the efficiency with which the suppliers address the requirements of the end-users. Material suppliers are undergoing substantial repositioning with the development of innovative product marketing and brand building strategies. The market for LFT worldwide grows in tandem with the developments in the auto industry. Of late, demand for sleek, small, lightweight vehicles tremendously increased market opportunities. In the automotive industry, potential uses of thermoplastics include seat-based systems, instrument panels, bumper beams, load floors, front-end and door modules, and under-body panels. The last 20 years witnessed an increasing requirement for lightweight cars due to high oil prices and the energy crisis. LFTs are therefore viewed as a cost-effective means of substituting engineering and metal thermoplastics, to ensure efficient, productive and lightweight components, leading to lower fuel consumption. The substitution of metals with LFTs in parts like front-end modules, instrument panels and door modules reduces assembly costs to a great extent. The combination of high end-use properties and high volume processing with lower system costs is a major force driving further applications of LFTs in the automotive industry. The use of LFTs, initially stemming from Europe, has eventually spread to various other regions of the world. While North America and Europe witness applications of both in-line and pellet processing, Asian technology is largely centered on pellet processing. LFT suppliers are establishing manufacturing facilities in high-growth, low cost markets such as Korea and China. The Asian region, which is currently the world's largest automobile manufacturer, continues to increase its consumption of LFTs despite the recent economic recession, which temporarily halted growth in other world regions. China, which occupied a relatively low share in LFT consumption until 2009, surged rapidly and is today ranked as the most dominant and vibrant LFT consuming market across the globe. In terms of geographic coverage, Europe represents the single largest consumer of LFTs. The European industry, since long has been far more receptive to thermoplastic composites in comparison to other world regions, owing to environmental concerns as well as legislation in the fields of end-of-life recycling and processing emissions. Asia-Pacific, backed by tremendous growth in China, commands the next leading position, poised to expand at a robust CAGR of about 11% through 2017. By end-use applications, the Automotive industry garners the largest market, with instrument panels, front-end modules and underbody shields figuring as some of the prominent LFT markets. As per Lucintel, Long Glass Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics (LFTs) are becoming the material of choice for automotive engineers designing high-impact and structural parts. Compared to metals and GMTs, LFTs have higher strength-to-weight ratios and impact resistance, offer greater design flexibility, and better resistance to chemicals and corrosion. The future of the LFT market looks great to the year 2013 and beyond. In terms of volume shipment during 2008 and 2013, the global LFT market is expected to grow at an estimated 12.2% (CAGR). Global LFT materials market is to reach US$1100 mln in 2013. LFT consumption in automotive applications such as door modules, front end modules, instrument panels, running boards, and underbody shields are forecast to grow at more than 10% CAGR during the next 6 years. Low cost producers will win most of the volume growth. This is inevitable with production overcapacity, high growth rates, automotive volume influence and savvy negotiations by buyers with knowledge of the benefits of LFT. Niche suppliers will seek margins in product differentiation. LFT suppliers are opening up manufacturing plants in high growth markets – China, Korea. For example, Ticona and RTP recently started domestic productions of LFT materials in China and SABIC opened up a plant in Korea. D-LFT growth will depend on improved production economics and keeping the compound prices down to a level, market can support. As per its other report, Continuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics (CFTs) have a history of about 25 years and it differs from short fiber reinforced thermoplastics such as LFRT and GMT in terms of fiber length. CFTs include a variety of products, including unidirectional prepregs, fabric based prepregs, narrow tapes, commingled fibers in roving and fabric forms, sheets, and rods. Historically, CFTs were used in niche applications in aerospace and defense market. But in recent years, the market has exploded in automotive, sporting, transportation, industrial and other applications. Demand has been driven by a variety of aerospace, automotive and truck applications. However, CFTs are even finding their way into furniture, fastener, medical, marine, and other applications adding on to increase in use of thermoplastic composites by Airbus and Boeing and other commercial aircraft manufacturers. The Continuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics (CFT) market has experienced significant growth during last 5 years and is expected to reach US$188.7 million in 2014 with a global growth rate of 12% for the next five years. The critical success factor for CFTs material producers will increasingly be not only about developing new products at low cost; in addition, Lucintel believes the most successful companies will be those that can develop application-specific, customer-focused solutions and have the ability to help their customers achieve long-term business objectives, such as increasing performance or lowering costs. The CFTs materials are at the growth stage on life cycle curve. Cost efficiency; time-to-market; and pricing are major factors in gaining customer confidence and increase market share. The biggest hurdles at manufacturers end are immature manufacturing base as compared to thermoset composites, high capital cost and weak material knowledge at end user level due to lack of material data base. That shows a high potentials and eager for innovation in CFTs market. To gain competitive advantage in this segment materials suppliers have to focus on growth opportunities through: new / improved applications; competence in process development and a customer oriented and innovation driven growth strategy.