The Global Low Weight Reinforced Thermoplastic (LWRT) Market is projected to reach USD 2.8 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.5% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This robust growth is primarily driven by the automotive industry’s urgent need for lightweighting solutions to meet stringent emissions regulations and improve fuel efficiency, particularly with the rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) where every kilogram saved directly impacts driving range.
As OEMs worldwide accelerate their transition to sustainable mobility, the demand for advanced materials like LWRT—which offers an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, excellent acoustical properties, and design flexibility—is surging. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Low Weight Reinforced Thermoplastic (LWRT) Industry, featuring material science leaders and automotive suppliers shaping the future of vehicle lightweighting.
🔟 1. Hanwha Azdel, Inc.
Headquarters: Lynchburg, Virginia, USA
Key Offering: Azdel® LWRT, SuperLite® composites
A subsidiary of the South Korean conglomerate Hanwha Group, Hanwha Azdel is a global pioneer and leading supplier of LWRT. Their Azdel® composite is a polypropylene and glass fiber mat thermoplastic that is widely used for headliners, underbody shields, and parcel shelves. The company has a strong presence in North America, Europe, and Asia, serving nearly every major automotive OEM.
Innovation & Sustainability Focus:
-
Development of advanced LWRT grades with recycled content
-
Focus on lightweight solutions for battery electric vehicle (BEV) platforms
-
Commitment to closed-loop recycling processes
Download FREE Sample Report: Low Weight Reinforced Thermoplastic (LWRT) Market – View in Detailed Research Report
9️⃣ 2. Mitsubishi Chemical Group
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: TAFNEX® LWRT, Kyron™ composites
Mitsubishi Chemical is a global leader in advanced materials, offering a comprehensive portfolio that includes high-performance LWRT solutions. Their TAFNEX® materials are engineered for superior mechanical properties and are extensively used in interior and exterior automotive applications. The company leverages its vast R&D capabilities to develop next-generation composites for mobility.
Innovation & Sustainability Focus:
-
Investment in bio-based polypropylene matrices for LWRT
-
Development of flame-retardant LWRT grades for enhanced safety
8️⃣ 3. Teijin Automotive Technologies
Headquarters: Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: LWRT composites, thermoplastic compression molding solutions
Formerly known as Continental Structural Plastics, Teijin Automotive Technologies is a tier-one supplier with deep expertise in composite materials. The company produces LWRT for a variety of applications, including underbody systems and interior trim, utilizing advanced compression molding techniques to achieve complex geometries and integrated functions.
Innovation & Sustainability Focus:
-
Pioneering multi-material solutions combining LWRT with other composites
-
Strong focus on sustainability through lightweighting and recyclable material systems
7️⃣ 4. Jiangsu Huaman Composite Materials Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
Key Offering: Custom LWRT sheets, glass fiber reinforced thermoplastics
As a key player in the Asia-Pacific region, Jiangsu Huaman specializes in the production of reinforced thermoplastic composites. The company supplies LWRT materials to the growing Chinese automotive market and international OEMs, focusing on cost-effective and high-performance solutions tailored to regional requirements.
Innovation & Sustainability Focus:
-
Expansion of production capacity to meet rising domestic demand
-
Development of application-specific LWRT formulations
Download FREE Sample Report: Low Weight Reinforced Thermoplastic (LWRT) Market – View in Detailed Research Report
6️⃣ 5. GSK Intec GmbH
Headquarters: Bramsche, Germany
Key Offering: LWRT for acoustic and structural applications
GSK Intec is a European specialist in fiber-reinforced thermoplastic semi-finished products. The company produces high-quality LWRT used primarily for acoustic insulation in the automotive industry, such as engine bay covers and floor insulators, where weight reduction and noise vibration harshness (NVH) performance are critical.
Innovation & Sustainability Focus:
-
Expertise in optimizing LWRT for acoustic damping properties
-
Commitment to European sustainability standards and circular economy principles
5️⃣ 6. International Automotive Components (IAC) Group
Headquarters: Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Key Offering: Automotive interior systems incorporating LWRT
IAC Group is a leading global supplier of interior components and systems. The company extensively utilizes LWRT in the production of headliners, package trays, and trunk trim. IAC’s engineering expertise lies in integrating LWRT into complex, multi-functional interior modules that meet strict OEM specifications for weight, cost, and performance.
Innovation & Sustainability Focus:
-
Development of lightweight headliner systems with integrated features
-
Focus on sustainable material sourcing and manufacturing processes
4️⃣ 7. BASF SE
Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Ultramid® (PA) and Ultradur® (PBT) based composites, material science expertise
While known for its engineering plastics, BASF possesses significant expertise in composite materials and offers solutions that compete with and complement traditional PP-based LWRT. The company’s focus is on high-performance thermoplastics for demanding applications, providing material science support to automakers designing next-generation vehicles.
Innovation & Sustainability Focus:
-
R&D into carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastics for structural applications
-
Development of chemically coupled glass fiber products for enhanced performance
3️⃣ 8. SABIC
Headquarters: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Key Offering: STAMAX® long glass fiber reinforced polypropylene
SABIC is a global chemical giant whose STAMAX® resin is a key material in the production of LWRT via compression molding. While not a direct LWRT sheet producer, SABIC supplies the essential raw material to many fabricators and is deeply involved in developing new resin formulations that enable lighter, stronger, and more sustainable composite parts.
Innovation & Sustainability Focus:
-
Launch of certified renewable polypropylene grades
-
Collaboration with OEMs and tier suppliers on material and process innovation
2️⃣ 9. Johns Manville
Headquarters: Denver, Colorado, USA
Key Offering: Fiber glass substrates, specialty nonwovens for composites
A Berkshire Hathaway company, Johns Manville is a leading manufacturer of glass fiber and nonwoven materials, which are fundamental components of LWRT. The company supplies high-quality glass fiber mats to the composites industry, providing the reinforcement that gives LWRT its strength and rigidity.
Innovation & Sustainability Focus:
-
Development of binder technologies for improved fiber-matrix adhesion
-
Investment in energy-efficient manufacturing processes
1️⃣ 10. Owens Corning
Headquarters: Toledo, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: Glass fiber reinforcements, composite solutions
Owens Corning is a global building and construction materials leader that also plays a critical role in the composites value chain. The company produces the glass fiber reinforcements used by LWRT manufacturers. Its technological advancements in fiber chemistry and sizing agents directly influence the performance and processability of the final LWRT product.
Innovation & Sustainability Focus:
-
Pursuit of sustainability goals, including carbon footprint reduction
-
R&D into next-generation sizing for enhanced composite properties
Get Full Report Here: Low Weight Reinforced Thermoplastic (LWRT) Market – View in Detailed Research Report
🚀 Outlook: The Future of LWRT Is Smarter and More Sustainable
The Low Weight Reinforced Thermoplastic market is at a pivotal point. While automotive applications continue to dominate, new opportunities are emerging in other sectors like construction, marine, and consumer goods, driven by the universal need for lightweight, durable, and sustainable materials.
📈 Key Trends Shaping the LWRT Market:
-
Accelerated adoption in battery electric vehicle (BEV) platforms for range extension
-
Increased use of post-consumer and post-industrial recycled content in LWRT formulations
-
Development of bio-based polypropylene resins to reduce carbon footprint
-
Integration of LWRT with other materials (e.g., foams, films) to create multifunctional components
Get Full Report Here: Low Weight Reinforced Thermoplastic (LWRT) Market – View in Detailed Research Report
The companies profiled above are not just suppliers of a material—they are enablers of innovation, providing the essential building blocks that allow manufacturers to create lighter, cleaner, and more efficient products for a sustainable future.
- Top 10 Companies in the Fiberglass Reinforced Grating Industry (2025): Market Leaders for Safety and Durability - January 2, 2026
- Top 10 Companies in the Pharmaceutical Grade Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) Industry (2025): Market Leaders Powering Global Healthcare - January 2, 2026
- Top 10 Companies in the PTFE Tapes Industry (2025): Market Leaders Sealing Global Industrial Applications - January 2, 2026
