Is Steel's Throne Shaking? The Rise of Composite Materials in Logistics

For over a century, the logistics sector has been dominated by a single material: Steel. Its strength, accessibility, and formability made it indispensable. However, in the world of 2025, the rules of the game have changed. Being just "robust" is no longer enough; you now also need to be "lightweight," "smart," and "efficient." It is precisely at this point that composite materials, transferred from the aerospace industry, are initiating a quiet revolution in road transport and military logistics.

So, why are composite materials (Fiberglass (GRP), Carbon Fiber, etc.) rising so rapidly in truck trailers and military vehicles?

1. Lightweight = More Payload

The math is very simple: the lighter your vehicle, the more payload it can carry within legal limits. Composite leaf springs, used instead of traditional steel leaf springs, can reduce weight by up to 60%. For example, a weight reduction of 100 kg achieved through composite parts used in a trailer chassis or suspension system means 100 kg more product per trip for a logistics company, or less fuel consumption. Lightweight chassis technologies developed by manufacturers like Tırsan (with models reaching down to 3,840 kg unladen weight) are among the most concrete examples of this weight reduction trend.

2. Immortality Against Corrosion and Tanker Logistics

The biggest enemy of metal tankers used for transporting chemicals and liquid food is corrosion (rust). Composite (GRP) tankers and piping systems, however, show far superior resistance to acids, salts, and aggressive chemicals compared to steel. This feature can extend the tanker's lifespan up to 50 years, while almost eliminating maintenance and painting costs. Composite tanks produced in Turkey stand out as a safe alternative both in industrial plants and in road transport.

3. Thermal Insulation in the Cold Chain

Composite sandwich panels used in refrigerated (reefer) trailers not only provide lightness but also offer excellent thermal insulation. Fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) panels conduct heat much less than metal surfaces. This means the refrigeration unit (chiller) works less, thus consuming less energy. While European giants like Schmitz Cargobull are racing towards the "zero emission" goal with vehicles equipped with composite bodies and electric refrigeration units, the impact resistance of these panels also increases food safety.

4. Strategic Resilience in Military Logistics

The rise of composites in military land transport is not just about lightness; it's about survivability. Composite materials can be more successful than steel in dampening impacts. Additionally, their features for reducing radar signature (stealth) and their ballistic protection potential are increasing the use of composite armor add-ons in military armored vehicles and logistics support trucks (such as BMC, FNSS vehicles). Their high fatigue resistance makes composites a strong alternative to metal in suspension systems (leaf springs) of military vehicles operating in tough terrain conditions, reducing the risk of metal breakage.

In Conclusion; 2025 and beyond will be a period where we will see more "plastic-derived" yet stronger-than-steel vehicles on the roads. Whether it's a truck traveling from Istanbul to Berlin, or a military vehicle on duty at the border; the future's chassis will be engineering marvels that use metal and composite in a hybrid fashion.