The global automotive plastics market for passenger cars size is projected to grow from USD 21.1 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 30.8 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 7.9%. The demand for automotive plastics is mainly driven by the increase in passenger car production and the increasing utilization of automotive plastics in vehicle designs. Plastics offer a maximum weight reduction for automobiles, which in turn reduces carbon emissions. These could be the major reasons propelling the market.
The shift towards the use of bioplastics in vehicle production, the use of anti-microbial plastics and additives, the use of composites and PMMA, and the growing trend of vehicle electrification have increased the demand for automotive plastics across the globe. The development of 3D printing technology is expected to act as a new opportunity for the automotive plastics market for passenger cars to grow. However, the high cost of capital and infrastructure for re-engineering plastics is expected to hinder market growth during the forecasted period.
The under-bonnet is the fastest-growing application segment of the automotive plastics market for passenger cars during the forecast period. Automotive plastics used in the manufacturing of under-bonnet components of passenger cars include Polypropylene, PBT, polyamide, and other engineered plastics. The use of plastics in under-bonnet applications provides high durability, high-temperature resistance, strength, and rigidity to automobiles. The under-bonnet segment includes components such as the battery, onboard chargers, connectors, cables, electric motor, anti-lock braking system, hoses, hydraulic booster unit, load-sensing valve, master cylinder, metering valve, fuel delivery modules, intake manifolds, brackets, duck work, accumulator pistons pressure differential valve, proportioning valve, and thermal management system which require plastics in their manufacturing.
Polyamide is the fastest-growing product type segment of the automotive plastics market for passenger cars during the forecast period, owing to its enhanced properties, such as impact strength and superior surface finish. Commonly used grades are PA 6 and PA 66. It has various properties such as high stiffness, strength, dimensional stability, high temperature and abrasion resistance, and low friction characteristics, along with chemical, flame, abrasion, creep, and fatigue resistance. Moreover, owing to their excellent strength and toughness at the time of exposure to hot and automotive fluids, polyamides are used for automotive thermal management and other applications areas including gears, bushes, cams, bearings, and weatherproof coatings, etc.
BASF SE (Germany), SABIC (Saudi Arabia), LyondellBasell Industries Holdings BV (Netherlands), LG Chem (South Korea), DuPont (US), Covestro AG (Germany), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), Solvay (Belgium), Arkema SA (France), Borealis AG (Austria), LANXESS (Germany), DSM (Netherlands), Toray Industries Inc. (Japan), Mitsui Chemicals (Japan), Celanese Corporation (US), Toyota Boshoku Corporation (Japan), Faurecia SA (France), TOYODA GOSEI Co., Ltd. (Japan), INEOS (UK), Sumitomo Chemicals Co. (Japan), Ltd., UBE Industries (Japan), Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics Corporation (Japan), Formosa Plastics Corporation (Taiwan), EMI Chemi Holdings (China), and Momentive Performance Materials (US) are some of the leading players operating in the automotive plastics market for passenger cars. These players have adopted the strategies of acquisitions and partnerships to enhance their position in the market.
