Market Trends of Automotive Polymer Composites Industry
Increasing Use of Polymers in the Light Vehicle Segment
- The automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with lightweight emerging as a critical driver for fuel efficiency and performance improvements. In this shift, polymers are playing a starring role, increasingly replacing traditional materials like steel and aluminum in light vehicles.
- The automotive industry has been focusing on vehicle weight reduction for decades, as vehicle weight has a direct impact on driving dynamics and fuel efficiency. As per the US Department of Energy (DOE), reducing the weight of vehicles by 10% yields an increase of 6-8% in fuel economy. As governments around the world implement stringent emission regulations and plan to set even higher emissions standards in the coming years, the importance of lightweight materials is expected to increase.
- Major composite polymers used in automobiles are based on polypropylene, polyurethanes, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), and others. Polypropylene and polyurethanes only account for more than 40% of the market studied.
- Automakers also use prepregs(a type of polymer composite) to replace metals in interior and exterior parts, reducing weight for better performance and safety. Modernization and autonomous vehicle development drive demand.
- Carbon prepregs are versatile and can be molded into various densities, shapes, and sizes, making them a popular substitute for aluminum and steel in the aviation and automotive industries. Major automakers like BMW, Ferrari, and Lexus are actively designing new models with complete carbon fiber body structures. For example, the second-generation BMW M2, launched in May 2023, is made mainly of carbon fiber, including the roof, interior, and vehicle components.
- Racing car manufacturers reduce curb weight to improve fuel efficiency and speed. According to a US Department of Energy report, a 10% reduction in vehicle weight can improve fuel economy by 6-8%. This makes prepregs highly sought-after in the automotive and transportation industries, especially for racing and high-speed vehicles.
- According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), the global automotive industry grew by 6% in 2022 compared to 2021. Automotive production increased in developed and developing countries worldwide, including China, Germany, South Korea, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Over 85 million motor vehicles were manufactured in 2022.
- According to OICA, light commercial vehicle production across the world increased in 2022 compared to 2021 by 7%, with 19.86 million units produced in 2022. The majority of the production comes from American regions, with about 60% of the total light commercial vehicles produced across the world.
- Moreover, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, British commercial vehicle production grew by 39.3% (as compared to 2021) to 101,600 units in 2022. The output for the domestic market in 2022 rose by 14.0 percent year-on-year to 40,409 units, with 101,600 vans, trucks, taxis, buses, and coaches leaving factory lines. The increased automotive manufacturing activities would aid the growth of the studied market during the forecast period.
- Hence, an increasing share of plastics in automobiles is expected to boost the automobile polymer composites market.
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Asia-Pacific is Expected to Dominate the Market
- The Asia-Pacific region is expected to dominate the automotive polymer composites market throughout the forecast period, with its large market share driven by increasing demand from heavy consumption from countries like China, India, South Korea, and more.
- According to the OICA, motor vehicle production in the Asia-Pacific region grew by 7% in 2022 compared to 2021. Developed and developing countries in the area, such as China, South Korea, and India, experienced an upsurge in automotive production in 2022. Over 50 million motor vehicles were manufactured in the Asia-Pacific region in 2022.
- Furthermore, in the first nine months of 2022, Indian passenger car sales remained strong due to savings, lower interest rates, and an increasing preference for personal mobility, which convinced customers to buy new cars. As a result, new car registrations in India grew by around 20.2% in the first three quarters of 2022 to reach 2.8 million units. Also, government reforms such as "Aatma Nirbhar Bharat" and "Make in India" programs supported the country's automotive industry.
- Under the new scrappage policy, governments in Asia-Pacific countries, like India, South Korea, and China, seek to push heavy-duty truck owners to acquire new heavy-duty trucks and other commercial vehicles, discouraging the use of old, polluting ones. The program would reduce pollution levels and promote the advancements of the heavy trucks segment in adopting polymer composites.
- Moreover, the Chinese government estimates a 20% penetration rate of electric vehicle production by 2025. This is reflected in the country's electric vehicle sales trend, which went to a record-breaking high in 2022. As per the China Passenger Car Association, the country sold 5.67 million EVs and plug-ins in 2022, almost double the sales figures achieved in 2021. The market is anticipated to increase the demand for automotive polymer composites in the country, and sales are poised to continue at this moment.
- The factors above and supportive government regulations are contributing to the increased demand for automotive polymer composites in the region.
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