Plastics, although more porous than traditional metals like steel, offer an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Initially used primarily for interior finishings, plastics are now being adopted for external automotive components such as doors, fenders, bonnets, and bumpers.
Market Trends for Automotive Plastics in India
The Indian automotive plastics market has seen substantial growth over the years. Despite a temporary dip due to global pandemic restrictions affecting vehicle sales, the market is rebounding strongly. The increasing application of plastics in various automotive components is a primary driver. With continuous growth in automotive sales, the demand for plastic components in vehicles is expected to surge significantly.Investments in research and development in the Indian automotive market are further accelerating the replacement of metal parts with plastic ones. This trend is anticipated to continue, driving the sales of automotive plastic parts at a notable rate over the coming years.
Drivers of Rising Automotive Plastics Consumption
Rising Demand for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles: The automotive market is witnessing a shift towards electric and hybrid vehicles, significantly influencing the growth of automotive plastics. Advanced plastics and vehicle polymers are becoming crucial components in the future of mobility, aiding in the revolution of the automotive industry towards smart, safer, and more efficient vehicles. These plastics reduce vehicle weight, replace conventional batteries and parts with advanced lightweight materials, and support hybrid systems combining gas and electric propulsion, thereby increasing battery operating duration.Need for Vehicle Weight Reduction: The push for advanced safety measures such as airbags, lane departure warning systems, and other ADAS systems is bolstering the market for automotive plastics. These plastic composite structures make vehicles lighter while maintaining safety features, offering resistance to shock, heat, and pressure, and enhancing fuel efficiency. Plastics like polycarbonate films provide UV resistance and weight reduction, while materials like nylons, elastomers, and polyamides are extensively used in air ducts, suction pipes, and engine front covers.
Steps Towards a Carbon-Free Future: Prominent manufacturers are taking initiatives towards a sustainable future by developing products using recycled materials or plant-based biomass, which are more durable and environmentally friendly. These initiatives are aimed at reducing the carbon footprint and promoting the use of recyclable plastics.
Challenges Faced by Automotive Plastic Producers
Volatility in Raw Material Prices and Environmental Impact: The fluctuating supply and prices of crude oil, influenced by geopolitical tensions, impact the cost structure of automotive plastics. The manufacturing process emits gases that adversely affect the environment, and the by-products of plastic production often end up in water bodies or landfills. Extensive use of plastics is harmful as they take decades to decompose, and recycling involves complex processes.Regional Insights
Dominance of North India: North India leads the Indian automotive plastics market, consuming nearly 39% of the automotive plastics produced due to the presence of prominent manufacturers and strong distribution networks. Major automotive companies have their production plants in this region, contributing to high vehicle production.Category-wise Insights
Leading Product Type - Polypropylene: Polypropylene is the dominant product type in the automotive plastics market, widely used in gas cans, chemical tanks, wire insulation, and bumpers. Its high application in automotive interiors and components like door panels, consoles, seatbacks, and trunk liners makes it a significant contributor to the market.High Usage in Vehicle Interiors: The interior application of plastics in vehicles holds more than 50% of the overall market share. As car buyers in India view their vehicles as long-term investments, the emphasis on the cabin experience drives the demand for high-quality plastic interiors. This includes heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, steering wheels, dashboards, seats, and door panels.
Competitive Analysis
Prominent automotive plastic manufacturers are expanding their production capacities and focusing on research and development to create new production technologies. These efforts include establishing new manufacturing units and investing in innovative products and solutions.Key Companies Profiled:
- BASF SE
- Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
- Saudi Basic Industries Corp
- DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
- Prima Pvt. Ltd
- Solvay SA
- The Dow Chemical Company
- LG Chem Ltd
- Champion Plastics Pvt. Ltd
- PVG Automotive Pvt. Ltd
- G.V. INDUSTRIES
- I-TECH PLAST INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED
- Injecto Plast Pvt. Ltd.
- Omico Plastics, Inc.
- Prime Plast
India Automotive Plastics Industry Segmentation
Product Type:
- Polypropylene
- Polyurethane
- Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
- Polyvinyl Chloride
- Polyethylene
- Polystyrene
- Polycarbonate
- Polyamide
- PMMA
- Plastic Composites
- Others
Vehicle Type:
- Three Wheelers
- Passenger Cars
- Compact
- Midsize
- Luxury
- SUVs
- LCVs
- HCVs
- Electric Cars
- BEVs
- HEVs
- PHEVs
Application:
- Exteriors
- Bumpers
- Tailgates/Liftgates, Hoods
- Body Hardware
- Others
- Interiors
- Seats
- Dashboards
- HVAC
- Others
- Engine Surrounding
- Engine Covers/Valves
- Covers
- Fuel Hoses/ Lines
Region:
- North India
- South India
- East India
- West India
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Table of Contents
Companies Mentioned
- BASF SE
- Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
- Saudi Basic Industries Corp
- DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
- Prima Pvt. Ltd
- Solvay SA
- The Dow Chemical Company
- LG Chem Ltd
- Champion Plastics Pvt. Ltd
- PVG Automotive Pvt. Ltd
- G.V. INDUSTRIES
- I-TECH PLAST INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED
- Injecto Plast Pvt. Ltd.
- Omico Plastics, Inc.
- Prime Plast
Methodology
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