Type 4 Cylinder Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Material (Fully Carbon Fiber, Carbon Fiber +Glass Fiber), By Diameter (414 mm, 533 mm, 648 mm), By Length (60-inch, 80-inch, 90-inch,100- inch,120- inch), By Application (CNG, Biogas, Hydrogen, Others), and By Region 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 1.43 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	9.31%
Fastest Growing Segment	Fully Carbon Fiber
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 2.44 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Type 4 Cylinder Market is projected to grow from USD 1.43 Billion in 2025 to USD 2.44 Billion by 2031 at a 9.31% CAGR. The Global Type 4 Cylinder Market comprises advanced composite pressure vessels featuring a non-load-bearing polymer liner fully wrapped in carbon fiber, offering superior corrosion resistance and significant weight reduction compared to metal alternatives. The market is primarily propelled by the accelerating adoption of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles and the expansion of mobile gas transport infrastructure where maximizing payload is critical. This growth is further reinforced by global decarbonization mandates and substantial public funding for clean energy ecosystems. According to the Hydrogen Council, in 2025, committed capital for clean hydrogen projects reaching final investment decision increased to USD 110 billion, underscoring the rapid development of the infrastructure requiring these storage solutions.

Despite this positive trajectory, the market faces a significant challenge regarding the high cost of raw materials, particularly carbon fiber reinforced polymers. This expense keeps production costs elevated relative to traditional steel cylinders and battery electric storage systems, potentially impeding widespread commercial adoption in cost-sensitive sectors.

Key Market Drivers

The accelerating adoption of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) is the foremost driver propelling the Global Type 4 Cylinder Market, particularly within the heavy-duty commercial transport sector. Unlike light-duty passenger cars, long-haul trucks and transit buses necessitate high-capacity storage systems that do not compromise payload, making the lightweight, non-corrosive properties of carbon fiber-wrapped cylinders essential for operational viability. This demand from the commercial mobility sector is directly influencing manufacturer performance. According to Hexagon Purus, November 2024, in the 'Q3 2024 Interim Report', the company's accumulated revenue reached NOK 1,480 million, a 55% increase year-over-year that was primarily attributed to the strengthening demand for hydrogen mobility and infrastructure solutions. As fleet operators transition from diesel to meet zero-emission targets, the reliance on these advanced pressure vessels for onboard fuel storage continues to intensify.

Stringent government decarbonization mandates and clean energy incentives are simultaneously creating the requisite ecosystem for market expansion. Legislative frameworks are not only enforcing stricter emission standards but are also providing substantial capital to de-risk the deployment of hydrogen production and distribution networks. According to the European Commission, April 2024, in the 'European Hydrogen Bank pilot auction results', seven renewable hydrogen projects were awarded a total of €720 million to support the production of 1.58 million tonnes of clean fuel over ten years. This subsidized supply availability is crucial for stimulating downstream adoption of storage technologies. Furthermore, according to the Hydrogen Council, in 2024, the global pipeline of clean hydrogen projects expanded to 1,572, signaling a rapid scaling of the infrastructure that underpins the widespread integration of Type 4 cylinders.

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Key Market Challenges

The primary impediment restricting the Global Type 4 Cylinder Market is the substantial expense associated with carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP), which constitute the bulk of the manufacturing cost. While these materials provide essential strength and weight advantages, their high market price significantly elevates the upfront capital expenditure for storage systems compared to conventional steel cylinders or battery alternatives. In cost-sensitive industries such as heavy-duty logistics and public transit, this price premium often outweighs the operational efficiency gains, causing fleet operators and infrastructure developers to hesitate in upgrading their storage technology. Consequently, the high unit economics of Type 4 vessels act as a friction point, slowing the transition from pilot programs to mass commercial deployment.

This economic barrier directly impacts the pace of infrastructure development, creating a disconnect between projected project pipelines and actual funded execution. The capital intensity required to procure these advanced storage solutions contributes to a broader financing shortfall across the clean energy ecosystem. According to the Hydrogen Council, in 2024, the global hydrogen sector faced an investment gap of approximately USD 335 billion needed to meet 2030 decarbonization targets, highlighting the difficulty in securing funding for high-cost hardware deployments. This financial disparity indicates that despite technical viability, the prohibitive costs of core components like Type 4 cylinders remain a critical drag on market acceleration.

Key Market Trends

The expansion into virtual pipeline and mobile gas transport applications is emerging as a critical trend, driven by the immediate need to connect hydrogen production hubs with decentralized industrial users and refueling stations. Unlike the passenger vehicle segment, this application demands high-capacity Type 4 bulk transport modules that maximize payload density while ensuring safety during road or rail transit. These mobile systems are bridging the infrastructure gap in regions where fixed pipeline networks are financially or logistically unfeasible, effectively acting as a flexible distribution backbone. According to Hexagon Purus, February 2025, in the 'Q4 2024 Interim Report', the Hydrogen Mobility and Infrastructure segment generated full-year revenue of NOK 1,782 million, with the company noting that distribution solutions constituted the majority of the segment's turnover due to robust deliveries to industrial gas customers.

Simultaneously, the market is witnessing a wave of strategic partnerships and vertical supply chain integration aimed at consolidating advanced composite manufacturing capabilities and securing proprietary technologies. Leading pressure vessel manufacturers are increasingly executing acquisitions and joint ventures to control the entire production value chain, from liner fabrication to automated filament winding, thereby optimizing unit economics and scaling output. This consolidation allows established players to rapidly integrate automated production lines and expand their portfolio of Type 4 solutions across different pressure ratings. According to Worthington Enterprises, March 2025, in the 'Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results', the company reported net sales of USD 304.5 million, a performance partially attributed to the successful integration and contributions from the recently acquired Hexagon Ragasco business which specializes in automated composite cylinder production.

Segmental Insights

The Fully Carbon Fiber segment represents the fastest-growing category within the Global Type 4 Cylinder Market due to rising demand for lightweight hydrogen and natural gas storage solutions. These cylinders provide substantial weight reduction compared to metal alternatives, which is critical for maximizing range and payload in fuel cell electric vehicles. Adherence to stringent safety and weight standards established by entities such as the Department of Transportation and the International Organization for Standardization further accelerates adoption. Consequently, manufacturers are increasingly prioritizing full carbon fiber wrapping to meet efficiency requirements in the transportation and logistics sectors.

Regional Insights

North America commands the Global Type 4 Cylinder Market, driven by the accelerating adoption of hydrogen and natural gas technologies across the heavy-duty transportation sector. The region's leadership is anchored by a robust regulatory environment, specifically the rigorous safety standards established by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), which validate the commercial use of high-pressure composite vessels. Furthermore, substantial infrastructure investments and federal initiatives aimed at decarbonizing logistics actively stimulate the demand for lightweight storage solutions. This alignment of strict safety governance with strong industrial application secures North America’s position as the primary global market leader.

Recent Developments

• In May 2025, Quantum Fuel Systems announced a strategic collaboration with OneH2 to develop an advanced 930-bar Type 4 hydrogen cylinder. This ultra-high-pressure composite vessel was designed to be integrated into modular hydrogen trailers, facilitating mobile refueling and gas distribution for industrial and transportation markets. The new cylinder technology enabled the transport of significantly larger volumes of hydrogen gas without the need for onboard compression at the point of delivery. This innovation represented a major advancement in hydrogen infrastructure, allowing for more efficient mobile fueling of fuel cell electric vehicles and material handling equipment through high-capacity Type 4 storage solutions.
• In November 2024, NPROXX unveiled two new high-pressure Type 4 composite vessels, the AH710-70 and AH620-70, designed specifically to meet the demanding requirements of the heavy-duty trucking industry. These 700-bar pressure vessels were engineered to support the sector's shift toward zero-emission transportation by providing reliable onboard hydrogen storage with extended range capabilities. The company highlighted that these large-diameter cylinders met rigorous safety certifications and offered optimized storage capacity for long-haul applications. This product launch aimed to address the growing demand for efficient hydrogen powertrain solutions in the commercial vehicle market, offering fleet operators a durable and lightweight storage option.
• In May 2024, Worthington Enterprises signed definitive agreements to acquire a leading Norwegian manufacturer of composite LPG cylinders and to form a joint venture with Hexagon Composites. The acquisition, valued at approximately $98 million, involved a business renowned for its lightweight Type 4 composite cylinders used in leisure and industrial markets globally. Simultaneously, the company agreed to divest a minority stake in its Sustainable Energy Solutions segment to create a joint venture focused on high-pressure storage and distribution solutions for hydrogen and compressed natural gas. These strategic initiatives were designed to strengthen the company's manufacturing capabilities in the Type 4 cylinder market and capitalize on the clean energy transition.
• In April 2024, Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. announced that its high-pressure hydrogen tanks were selected for use on a hydrogen-powered passenger ship, the HANARIA. This vessel, operated by a consortium involving a major Japanese shipping line, utilizes the company's large-capacity hydrogen storage technology originally refined for fuel cell vehicles. The tanks function as part of storage modules that combine multiple units to efficiently store large volumes of fuel for the hybrid system. This development marked a significant expansion of the company's Type 4 cylinder technology from automotive applications into the maritime sector, demonstrating the versatility of their composite vessel solutions in decarbonizing marine transport.

Key Market Players

• Hexagon Purus ASA
• Worthington Industries, Inc.
• Luxfer Holdings PLC
• NPROXX B.V.
• Faber Industrie S.p.A.
• ILJIN HYSOLUS Co., Ltd.
• Sinoma Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
• Everest Kanto Cylinder Limited
• Rama Cylinders Private Limited
• Quantum Fuel Systems LLC

By Material	By Diameter	By Length	By Application	By Region
Fully Carbon Fiber Carbon Fiber +Glass Fiber	414 mm 533 mm 648 mm	60-inch 80-inch 90-inch 100- inch 120- inch	CNG Biogas Hydrogen Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Type 4 Cylinder Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Type 4 Cylinder Market, By Material:

• Fully Carbon Fiber
• Carbon Fiber +Glass Fiber

• Type 4 Cylinder Market, By Diameter:

• 414 mm
• 533 mm
• 648 mm

• Type 4 Cylinder Market, By Length:

• 60-inch
• 80-inch
• 90-inch
• 100- inch
• 120- inch

• Type 4 Cylinder Market, By Application:

• CNG
• Biogas
• Hydrogen
• Others

• Type 4 Cylinder Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE