17 Prepreg Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for prepregs as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 17 prepreg manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked prepreg companies as of April, 2024: 1.Isola Group, 2.Renegade Materials orporation, 3.3A Associate Incorporated.
Table of Contents
What Is Prepreg?
Prepreg is a composite material made by impregnating a sheet of fiber with resin, and is one of the raw materials used in the molding of fiber-reinforced plastics.
The resin used for impregnation is a thermosetting resin such as epoxy that hardens upon heating, or a thermoplastic resin that softens upon heating and hardens upon cooling. Carbon fiber and glass fiber are often used as fibers.
By combining fibers and impregnating resins, it is possible to create a material that meets the intended purpose.
Uses of Prepreg
In addition to carbon and glass fibers, aramid fibers are also used as fibers for Prepreg. Their respective applications are as follows:
1. Carbon Fiber Prepreg
Prepreg made of carbon fiber is called carbon prepreg and is used as a molding material for carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP). CFRP is characterized by its light weight, high strength, and high stiffness.
It also has electronic conductivity due to the use of conductive carbon fibers. Although CFRP is mainly used in the aircraft industry, it also has a wide range of other applications, such as in automobiles, golf club shafts, and tennis racket frames.
2. Glass Fiber Prepreg
Glass fiber Prepreg is used as a molding material for Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics (GFRP). GFRP features greater specific strength than metal materials, is lighter, and is not electronically conductive due to the use of insulating glass fibers.
Taking advantage of this feature, GFRP is used in antenna covers, printed circuit boards, etc.
3. Aramid Fiber-Reinforced Plastics
Aramid fibers are very light and difficult to break, and have high impact resistance and strength. On the other hand, they are more difficult to break than carbon and glass fibers, making it difficult to mold them into any shape and to post-process them.
Because of its high impact resistance and strength, it is used in aircraft, various parts for space applications, and pressure vessels.
Principle of Prepreg
Prepreg has a shape and physical properties that facilitate its use as a molding material for CFRP and GFRP. Since resin and fibers are composited in a predetermined quantity ratio to form a sheet, it is possible to produce molded products with less variation in performance than with other CFRP manufacturing methods.
Prepreg is impregnated with resin while the fibers are arranged in one direction. This is called UD material, which is strong in the direction of the fibers but very weak in the vertical direction of the fibers. When molding into Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP), it is important to stack the fibers in different directions.
By changing the direction of transition, high-strength FRP is formed for any direction. Prepregs made by impregnating woven fabrics with resin are also available, and are called fabric materials.
Resin impregnation varies depending on the application and the difference between CFRP and GFRP, but thermosetting resins such as epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin, phenolic resin, and thermoplastic resins such as polypropylene, polyamide, polycarbonate, and polyetheretherketone are also used in many cases.
Prepregs made of thermosetting resins, in particular, have a tacky surface because they remain uncured until they are molded into FRP, and they must be sealed and frozen to prevent further curing during storage.
Other Information on Prepreg
How Prepreg is Manufactured
Prepreg manufacturing methods differ depending on whether the resin to be impregnated is thermosetting or thermoplastic.
1. Thermosetting resin
A pre-cured resin film is formed and heat-pressed together with uniaxially aligned fibers or fiber fabrics. The fiber content can be controlled by the thickness of the film, and uneven fiber content is unlikely to occur.
2. Thermoplastic resin
Since the resin itself has high viscosity, there are two methods: dissolving the resin in a solvent, impregnating it, and drying the solvent; or grinding the resin into small pieces, sprinkling it on fibers or textiles, and heat pressing it.
List of 17 Prepreg Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- China
- India
- Japan
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
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Zoltek Companies, Inc.
Prepreg
Manufacturer Overview
Zoltek Companies, Inc. established in 1975 and based in Bridgeton, Missouri, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of carbon fiber. The company's product range includes PAN-Based Carbon Fiber, ZOLTEK PX35, ZOLTEK PX30, ZOLTEK OX, and ZOLTEK Recycled Fiber. These carbon fibers possess characteristics such as low weight, corrosion resistance, and electrical conductivity. The company is also used in diverse applications in industries like automotive, wind energy, airplane brakes, and civil engineering. It offers services such as advanced material development, technical support, product customization, and supply chain optimization.
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Isola Group
Prepreg
Manufacturer Overview
Isola Group, founded in 1912, is a US-based developer and manufacturer of copper-clad laminates and dielectric prepregs for fabricating multilayer printed circuit boards (PCBs). The company offers TERRAGREEN 400G, TACHYON 100G, ASTRA MT77, I-TERA MT40, and FR408HR designed for high-speed digital, RF/microwave, and high-temperature applications. Products are also available in halogen-free and lead-free versions, with a corresponding dielectric constant (Dk) and dissipation factor (Df). It has manufacturing, research and development, technical support, and sales teams across Asia, Europe, and the United States operating under REACH to work with communications infrastructure, computing/networking, military, medical, aerospace, as well as automotive industries.
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Renegade Materials orporation
Prepregs
Manufacturer Overview
Renegade Materials Corporation is a global manufacturer and supplier of high-temperature composite materials for aerospace applications. It was acquired by Teijin Holdings USA Inc. in 2019. The company’s product line offerings include AFR-PE-4, RM-1100, MVK-14M FreeForm, and FireWalker Polyceramic. It also delivers lightweight, highly engineered prepregs, resins, adhesives, and hybrid composite systems powered by cutting-edge polyimide resin technology. It has two production facilities, operating under LEAN manufacturing processes and fully compliant with AS9100D, ISO 9001:2015, and NADCAP certification.
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Hexcel
Prepregs
Company Overview
Hexcel, founded in 1948 and headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of composite materials and solutions. The company's product range includes carbon fiber reinforcements, resin systems, and honeycomb products, serving industries like commercial aerospace, industrial applications, and space and defense. Its ISO 9001:2015 certification reflects its devotion to enhancing product quality and customer satisfaction. With more than 7 decades of experience, the company consistently exceeds expectations in quality and service, boasting a global customer base.
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TCR Composites, Inc
Prepreg
Distributor Overview
TCR Composites, Inc. was established in 1996 by Thiokol Corporation (ATK) as a worldwide supplier of prepreg composites products in Ogden, Utah. The company offers prepreg products, including prepreg tow, fabrics, braided sleeves, and unidirectional tape. It also offers in-house testing services and a full-time research and development department to meet the needs of the automotive, aerospace, marine, industrial, and sporting goods sectors. TCR prepreg technology meets the requirements of the REACH and K-REACH regulations, and mechanical tests are performed according to ASTM standards.
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SEIREN Co., LTD.
Innovative carbon fiber–reinforced prepreg sheet
Manufacturer Overview
Seiren Co. LTD., founded in 1889 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of various textile and non-textile products. The company has diverse business fields, including automotive upholstery, electronics, sports, medical, and environmental material businesses. Its products include precision devices, airbag materials, yarns, civil engineering materials, and cosmetics. It started manufacturing and selling automotive upholstery materials in 1975 and electrically conductive fabric materials in 1984. In 1998, it started selling house exterior wall covering base sheet material, and in 2017, it started selling flexible conductive material.
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SHD Composite Materials Ltd
Prepregs
Manufacturer Overview
SHD Composite Materials Ltd is a developer and manufacturer of advanced composite prepreg materials and technology. It started trading in the United Kingdom in 2010 and manufacturing in 2018. The company offers adhesive films and low-temperature cure tooling prepreg for autoclave, press, and oven curing. It also provides different types of component prepregs, such as flame retardant, low to medium-temperature curing, and high-service temperature component prepregs. The company is certified to EN 9100:2018 Aerospace Standard and has subsidiaries in the UK, Europe, and the USA. Its main markets are motorsport, automotive, aerospace, tooling, and other sustainable sectors.
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3A Associate Incorporated
Prepregs
Manufacturer Overview
3A Associate Incorporated is a manufacturer of material science products for the electrical, automotive, and composite industries. It was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Mumbai, India. The company offers self-fusing and waterproofing tapes, carbon and glass prepregs, thermal and silicone sleeves, and cords, along with coated yarns, varnishes, resins, and high-temperature adhesives. Its production facility has ISO 9001:2015 certification and has the cutting-edge machines, technology, and testing equipment to produce superior quality products for customers.
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Composites Evolution Ltd
Prepregs
Manufacturer Overview
Composites Evolution Ltd, founded in 2009, is a UK-based manufacturer and supplier of prepregs for lightweight composite structures based in Chesterfield. The company produces different types of prepregs, including epoxy components, epoxy tooling, natural fiber, and fire-resistant PFA. It also provides product development services to its customers, such as toll manufacturing of prepregs, development of special prepregs, R&D, lab/pilot-scale prepregging, and testing. It is a part of Composites UK and has an ISO 9001:2015 certification, utilizing sustainable materials, including natural fibers and biobased resins. The company serves the automotive, marine, mass transport, sports and leisure, and construction sectors.
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ENEOS Corporation
Prepreg
Manufacturer Overview
ENEOS Corporation is a manufacturer of petrochemical products, established in 1888, and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The company offers diverse lubricants such as hydraulic lubricants, and heat transfer oils for automotive, industrial, and marine applications, while also supplying crucial petrochemicals like ethylene and propylene for plastics and pharmaceuticals. Its manufacturing extends to materials like carbon fiber composites, serving aerospace and electronics. It provides industrial energy solutions encompassing LNG, natural gas, and electricity, complemented by engineering and construction services.
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Qingdao Regal New Material Co., LTD.
Prepreg Carbon Fiber
Manufacturer Overview
Qingdao Regal New Material Co., LTD. was established in 2011 as a composite material manufacturer in Qingdao City, China. The company offers carbon fiber fabric, prepreg carbon fiber, PVC and PMI foam, and fiberglass materials along with technical solutions such as vacuum-assisted resin infusion molding process technology, RTM, pultrusion process, and mold manufacturing. With ISO 9001:2015 certification, the company ensures that all of its products meet the needs of manufacturing, aerospace, shipbuilding, and autoclave molding processes.
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BPREG Composites
Prepregs
Manufacturer Overview
BPREG Composites is a Turkish developer and manufacturer of advanced composite materials from plant fibers founded in 2017. The company's products include EcoRein thermoplastic UD prepregs, woven prepregs, slit tapes, and dry fabrics made from natural flax, hemp, and kenaf. This startup company is 100% operating on natural fiber composite (NFC) technologies, compatible with industrial processes like thermoforming, injection overmolding, automated tape placement, vacuum infusion, and resin transfer molding (RTM). Moreover, it seeks to reduce the use of plastic, glass, and fiber while serving the needs of the automotive, aerospace, and construction industries.
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Toray Composite Materials America, Inc.
Prepreg
Manufacturer Overview
Toray Composite Materials America, Inc. is based in Tacoma, Washington, USA, and is a manufacturer of composite materials for the industrial and aerospace sectors established in 2017 as a subsidiary of Japan’s Toray Industries, Inc. The company primarily produces film adhesives for bonding composite materials, high strength and lightweight carbon fiber, and prepreg, which is resin-impregnated carbon fiber for molding into complex shapes. The company is ISO 9001, AS9100, and NADCAP-certified, and mainly serves clients in industrial manufacturing.
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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
Prepreg
Company Overview
YOKOHAMA, established in Japan in 1917 is a manufacturer engaged in tires for light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, and off-the-road mining and construction applications. The company has operations in the US market, and they have distributors all around the world. Their product range includes passenger tires, marine hoses, conveyor belts, aerospace products and all kinds of wheels. The company uses carbon-neutral, resource-recycling, and sustainable procurement of natural rubber while balancing economic activities and working in harmony with local communities and nature.
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Gurit
Prepregs
Company Overview
Gurit is a manufacturer and supplier of advanced composite materials, tooling automation, and structural engineering services. Their material range includes structural core materials, profiles, prepregs, and formulated products like laminating resins. Operating globally, Gurit has a reach in multiple countries. As a partner in the renewable energy sector, Gurit specializes in wind turbine blade innovation, contributing to wind energy competitiveness and sustainable growth. In sectors like marine, construction, and transportation, they offer materials and expertise to foster a sustainable economy.
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MICAM Limited
Epoxy Prepregs
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Krempel GmbH
Prepregs
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Prepreg Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of April 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isola Group |
12.3%
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| 2 | Renegade Materials orporation |
10.2%
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| 3 | 3A Associate Incorporated |
8.5%
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| 4 | TCR Composites, Inc |
7.5%
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| 5 | Hexcel |
6.7%
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| 6 | Gurit |
6.6%
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| 7 | SHD Composite Materials Ltd |
6.4%
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| 8 | SEIREN Co., LTD. |
5.7%
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| 9 | Zoltek Companies, Inc. |
5.2%
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| 10 | Composites Evolution Ltd |
5.1%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the prepreg page as of April 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.: 28,468
- ENEOS Corporation: 9,103
- SEIREN Co., LTD.: 6,806
Newly Established Company
- Zoltek Companies, Inc.: 1975 (49 years ago)
- Isola Group: 1912 (112 years ago)
- SEIREN Co., LTD.: 1889 (135 years ago)
Company with a History
- Gurit: 1835 (189 years ago)
- ENEOS Corporation: 1888 (136 years ago)
- SEIREN Co., LTD.: 1889 (135 years ago)
Prepreg Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Prepreg Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
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5 | 38.5% |
Japan
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3 | 23.1% |
United Kingdom
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2 | 15.4% |
India
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1 | 7.7% |
China
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1 | 7.7% |
Turkey
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1 | 7.7% |
