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Since their conceptualization, fiber-reinforced composite materials were born with a purpose: to fill the high-performance materials gap where traditional mediums, like metals and unreinforced plastics, have often fallen short. Since then, CFRPs, GFRPs, CMC, aramid and natural fibers, bio-based and graphene-enhanced fibers and many others have not only filled this gap — they’ve surpassed it, enabling a paradigm shift in engineering design that has positively transformed a majority of industries and applications, including transportation markets.

For commercial automotive applications, a recent review by CW’s Stewart Mitchell sums up this sector’s focus over the past year: 

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“The automotive composites sector … is characterized by a dynamic interplay of business considerations, material performance, cost and sustainability imperatives. The proliferation of EVs is intensifying the demand for lightweight materials, particularly in battery construction, where composites can achieve substantial weight reductions compared to traditional metals. Concurrently, advancements in automated production techniques are focusing on high-performance applications, while innovations in recycling technologies are addressing EOL material waste effectively.

“Global market dynamics are in flux, with fluctuations in the demand for composite materials and an uptick in strategic acquisitions. The automotive landscape of 2025 suggests that composites will see broader integration across diverse vehicle architectures. However, the pace of adoption will largely hinge on ongoing improvements in manufacturing efficiencies and efforts to reduce material costs, making composites more viable for wider market applications.”

As of 2025, in other transportation sectors — mass transportation options like rail and bus — composites are also increasingly gaining traction, driven by intensifying regulatory pressure to reduce emissions, the need for lightweighting to improve energy efficiency and growing urbanization requiring higher-capacity, lower-maintenance fleets. Though long considered too expensive for large-scale transit use, ongoing material and process advancements and life cycle cost analyses have begun shifting the cost-benefit balance in favor of these advanced materials.

Purpose in hand, composite materials are on the cusp of widespread adoption in this sector, already providing measurable value. This is why CW editors have highlighted transportation as a prominent end market for this year’s (NCW). Below is a roundup of key content to explore, read and learn more.

Note: Below covers only August 2024 – August 2025 articles for these topics. For other related content (including news and products), visit these sections of our website.

Composites end markets: Automotive (2025)

Composites manufacturing intelligence drives circular economy solutions as automotive industry balances technical demands with sustainability mandates. 

Infused sandwich window frame components help double-decker buses meet weight targets

Prototype GFRP parts were evaluated by Spanish bus manufacturer Carrocerías Ayats as an initial move toward lighter, more efficient, more automated parts and processes.

Bucci Composites expands automotive production capabilities with facility addition, new high-ton presses

CW Top Shops recipient Bucci Composites shares an update on its facility expansion, automotive composites applications, sustainability, education initiatives and more.

A new generation of PP foam core for lightweight truck trailers, RVs

Extruded PP (XPP) foam core offers lightweight, high-performance monomaterial panels that are easily recycled for truck flooring, sidewalls or cabinet/furniture boards as the transportation industry seeks a replacement for plywood.

Moving toward sustainable automotive parts manufacturing

How can the automotive supply chain prepare for future sustainability requirements? Tier 1 Kautex Textron discusses emissions reduction, design for circularity and transition to recycled/bio-based plastics.

Pultruded CFRP chassis enables 36% payload increase for specialized commercial vehicles

CarbonTT’s quadraxial NCF composite chassis adds 185-kilogram capacity to Borco Höhns’ 3.5-ton Fiat Ducato market vehicle.

PUR composite sandwich panels for 3D automotive parts, high-volume panels and more

At its U.S. sites, Ascorium produces glass fiber/PUR 3D parts via semi-automated molding, high-volume flat panels via a continuous line while working toward bio-based PUR and recycling.

Bladder-assisted compression molding derivative produces complex, autoclave-quality automotive parts

HP Composites’ AirPower technology enables high-rate CFRP roof production with 50% energy savings for the Maserati MC20.

Composite materials, design enable challenging Corvette exterior components

General Motors and partners Premix-Hadlock and Albar cite creative engineering and a move toward pigmented sheet molding compound (SMC) to produce cosmetic components that met strict thermal requirements.