Japan Automotive Composite Leaf Springs Market Insights – Growth & Demand 2025-2035

Japan Automotive Composite Leaf Springs Market Outlook from 2025 to 2035

The Japan automotive composite leaf spring market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.3% during 2025 to 2035 and is expected to reach USD 15.3 million by 2035. It is mainly because of the need for lightweight, fuel-efficient vehicles in the light commercial vehicle and medium- to heavy-duty vehicle segments. The market also witnesses the phenomenon of rising electric vehicles that will see direct results in battery ranges and efficiency from any weight loss efforts.

Government support for EV adoption, the rise in fuel efficiency regulations, and advancements in composite materials technology are driving factors for the growth of the market. The automotive industry in Japan is known for its innovation and dedication to sustainability, so it is probable that the demand for automotive composites, such as leaf springs, will be led by this country.

Attributes	Key Insights
Projected Size, 2035	USD 15.3 million
Value-based CAGR (2025 to 2035)	8.3%

Market Overview

The Japanese automotive industry is adopting advanced technologies rapidly to enhance vehicle performance, reduce weight, and meet stringent environmental norms. One such innovation that has been implemented in place of conventional steel leaf springs used for automobiles is composite material.

Composite leaf springs offer many benefits, including significant weight saving, enhanced durability, and better fuel efficiency. These benefits are particularly crucial in a market focused on reducing carbon emissions and increasing vehicle efficiency.

The Japan automotive composite leaf springs market is experiencing tremendous growth as the initiative is taken by automobile manufacturers to find all possible ways to enhance the performance of vehicles with the backdrop of strict regulatory frameworks. The market, therefore, is driven by the advancements in material science and the manufacturing processes along with high-performance composite materials. In addition, the country-wide emphasis on innovations, sustainability, and the rising adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles is also more fueling demand for composite leaf springs.

Key Trends

• Shift Toward Lightweight Materials Merger Toward Lightweight Materials In the global auto industry, the use of lightweight materials has become a key trend to reduce the weight of cars and improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Composite leaf springs are developed in this regard that is much lighter than steel springs. It has been seen that the Japanese car manufacturers have invested significantly in carbon fiber and glass fiber reinforced composites to improve vehicle efficiency and adhere to the stringent environmental norms.
• Technological Advancements in Manufacturing Processes Over time, the manufacturing process for composite spring leaves has been developed to provide higher-quality, lower-cost, and more scalable products. High-Pressure Resin Transfer Molding (HP-RTM) and Prepreg lay-up are two popular procedures for high-performance automotive composite part manufacture.
• Sustainability and Regulatory Pressure Sustainability and Regulatory Pressure. Because Japan has been taking significant initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and promote environmental sustainability, automobile makers must focus on greener alternatives. Reduced vehicle weight using composite leaf springs improves fuel efficiency and lowers carbon emissions. These stringent emission limits and sustainability criteria for the country will push manufacturers to use sophisticated composite materials.
• Adoption of Electric Vehicles The rise of electric and hybrid vehicles in Japan is expected to be a major driver for the adoption of composite leaf springs. Electric and hybrid cars make extensive use of lightweight components, which improve range and performance; hence, composite materials are increasingly substituted for steel materials in these types of vehicles. Composite leaf springs used in electric and hybrid vehicles reduce the weight of the car and improve the energy efficiency.
• Higher Demand in Commercial and Heavy-Duty Vehicles Composite leaf springs are gaining more applications in commercial and heavy-duty vehicles because they can sustain more load while offering savings in weight. For such long-haul transportation, durable, high-performance leaf springs are required for these vehicles, and composite materials provide the strength and reliability needed.

Segment Analysis

By Installation Type:

The market is segmented into two types of installation: transversal and longitudinal.

• Transversal Leaf Springs (60% Market Share): Transverse leaf springs are primarily used in light-duty passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. These springs are mounted transverse to the axle of the vehicle and are relatively more common on front-wheel-driven vehicles. This design provides compact dimensions with excellent performance, while avoiding complexity and hence cost.
• Longitudinal Leaf Springs (40% Market Share): Longitudinal leaf springs are commonly fitted in the rear-wheel-driven vehicles, in medium-duty trucks and heavy-duty trucks, also commercial vehicles. These springs run from end to end along the vehicle's chassis so that they can absorb more payload weight. They have a more demanding application and better weight distribution.

By Process Type:

The market is segmented into three primary process types: High-Pressure Resin Transfer Molding Process (HP-RTM), Prepreg Layup Process, and others.

• High-Pressure Resin Transfer Molding (HP-RTM) Process (45% Market Share): HP-RTM is mainly used in the production of automotive composite parts, including leaf springs. The process has good mechanical properties and the ability to make complex shapes with high precision. HP-RTM is very suitable for producing large quantities of lightweight, high-strength components, which are vital for decreasing the weight of the vehicle.
• Prepreg Layup Process (35% Market Share): The prepreg layup process involves the use of pre-impregnated fiber materials, which are then molded under heat and pressure. This process is gaining traction for producing high-performance composite leaf springs due to its ability to create parts with superior strength-to-weight ratios. The prepreg layup process is particularly beneficial in high-stress applications, such as in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
• Other Processes (20% Market Share): This category includes various manufacturing techniques, such as filament winding and vacuum infusion, which are also used to produce composite leaf springs. These processes are generally more specialized and are used for niche applications in the automotive sector.

By Location Type:

The automotive composite leaf spring market is divided based on the location of installation into front leaf spring and rear leaf spring.

• Front Leaf Spring (40% Market Share): Front leaf springs are more typically seen in passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. They are crucial for managing the vehicle's suspension and providing a smooth ride. The market for composite front leaf springs is likely to rise as manufacturers seek to reduce vehicle weight for better fuel efficiency and comfort.
• Rear Leaf Spring (60% Market Share): Rear leaf springs are typically found in larger vehicles, including light commercial vehicles, medium-duty trucks, and heavy-duty vehicles. These springs provide additional strength and durability to support higher loads. The increasing demand for composite rear leaf springs in commercial and heavy-duty vehicles is driving this segment's growth.

By Vehicle Type:

The market is segmented into Passenger Cars, Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs), and Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (MHDVs).

• Passenger Cars (50% Market Share): Composite leaf springs are popular in passenger cars, accounting for 50% of the market, due to their lightweight design that improves fuel efficiency and performance. The growing demand for fuel-efficient and ecologically friendly automobiles is propelling the adoption of composite materials in this market.
• Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) (30% Market Share): Composite leaf springs are advantageous for light commercial vehicles because they enhance fuel efficiency without sacrificing load-carrying capability. Light commercial cars benefit from the growing Japanese logistics and transportation industry.
• Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (MHDVs) (20% Market Share): MHDV comprises composite leaf spring in order to enhance the capability and efficiency in the vehicles belonging to the applications like construction, transports, and logistical. The needs of composite springs at this segment also come from strength and weight, especially in oversized trucks and oversized vehicles.

Industry-Wide Growth and Trends

Segment	Passenger Cars
CAGR (2025 to 2035)	8.1%
Key Drivers	Increasing demand for lightweight and fuel-efficient vehicles.

Segment	Light Commercial Vehicles
CAGR (2025 to 2035)	7.6%
Key Drivers	Adoption of lightweight materials for fuel efficiency.

Segment	Medium & Heavy-Duty Vehicles
CAGR (2025 to 2035)	9.2%
Key Drivers	Demand for durable and efficient components in commercial vehicles.

Segment	High-Pressure Resin Transfer Molding
CAGR (2025 to 2035)	8.5%
Key Drivers	Higher precision and stronger composite parts.

Segment	Prepreg Layup Process
CAGR (2025 to 2035)	7.8%
Key Drivers	Increasing demand for high-performance materials.

Market Concentration

The Japan automotive composite leaf spring market is moderately consolidated, with several global and domestic players focusing on technological advancements, cost reduction, and expanding production capabilities.

Key Players:

• Toray Industries, Inc. – A leader in composite materials with a strong presence in the automotive sector.
• Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation – Specializes in high-performance composites for automotive applications.
• SGL Carbon – Known for its advanced carbon fiber composite materials for automotive components.
• BASF – Provides composite materials and solutions for automotive applications, including leaf springs.

Industry Updates

Date	Key Development
April 2023	Mitsubishi Chemical launched a new line of carbon fiber-reinforced composites for automotive leaf springs.
July 2023	Toray Industries expanded its production facility in Japan for automotive composite materials.
November 2023	SGL Carbon announced a partnership with Toyota to supply composite materials for their new lightweight commercial vehicle models.

Future Outlook

The Japan automotive composite leaf spring market is expected to continue growing, driven by innovations in materials and processes. The increasing adoption of electric vehicles, combined with sustainability regulations and the demand for lightweight components, will drive the market’s expansion.

Advancements in manufacturing processes, such as HP-RTM and prepreg layup, will make composite leaf springs more accessible and cost-effective for automakers. Furthermore, Japan’s focus on reducing carbon emissions will continue to support the adoption of advanced composite materials.

Table of Content

1. Introduction
2. Market Outlook
3. Key Trends
4. Segment Analysis
5. Industry-Wide Growth and Trends
6. Market Concentration
7. Industry Updates
8. Future Outlook
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)