The China Economic News Service is reporting that Taiwan will be producing roughly half of all carbon fiber bicycles in 2005. At least two Taiwan carbon-fiber bicycle-frame makers are planning to expand their capacities to meet the increasing global demand, including Composite Technology Corp., which is a division of Giant, and Advanced International Multitech Co., which says it is expanding to meet demand from foreign brands such as Bianchi of Italy, Trek of the U.S. and Merida of Taiwan.

The top-three complete-bike manufacturers in Taiwan – Giant, Merida and Ideal Bike Corp. – claim they will ship over 70,000 carbon-fiber bicycles this year. This could represent an annual growth of 30% to 70% in exports of such bikes. Taiwan’s total exports of carbon-fiber bicycles are expected to hit 150,000 units this year, accounting for about half of the global supply.