Frost & Sullivan: Replacement of Exterior and Under-the-hood Metal Parts for Light-weighting Drives Demand for Automotive Plastics in Europe
-- The robust properties and significant cost advantages of plastics over metals is accelerating market growth
LONDON, Feb. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The need for light-weight materials among automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and component manufacturers is accelerating the demand for automotive plastics in Europe. The use of plastics can reduce the number of parts required for a specific application, cut down on processing costs, and facilitate fuel savings between five to seven percent for every 10 percent drop in vehicle weight. In addition to environmental sustainability, plastics enable enhanced design flexibility and passenger safety features such as shock absorption in bumpers, reduced explosion risks in under-the-hood (UTH) applications and life-saving accessories such as air bags and seat belts.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.chemicals.frost.com), Light-weighting Role of Performance Plastics in the European Automotive Market, finds that the market earned revenues of $4.22 billion in 2013 and estimates this to reach $7.26 billion in 2019. While the recent economic slowdown has led to diminished car ownership interest in many countries, especially Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece, the automotive plastics market will be sustained by the shift in focus towards more fuel-efficient, smaller, economy class vehicles. The study covers virgin compounds and polymeric blends.
"Regulations demanding the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from passenger and light commercial vehicles by 2020 are compelling automotive component manufacturers and OEMs to substitute metal parts," said Frost & Sullivan Chemicals, Materials & Food Research Analyst Soundarya Shankar. "The improved heat, chemical and impact resistance, enhanced aesthetics, optimum price-performance index in high performance polymers such as polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonates and polyurethanes (PU) coupled with new compounding techniques have made plastics the most preferred material in automotive applications."
Plastics also offer significant cost advantages over metals. While metals are cheaper than plastic materials on a cost-per-unit basis, the latter remain a more feasible alternative due to lower processing, assembling and finishing costs. The cost of plastics will fall further when standardisation and mass production commence.
The rising use of reinforced and composite material in automotive applications, however, poses a threat to virgin plastic compounds. The maturity of certain polymers for specific applications – such as the use of PU polymers for seating applications and PP polymers for interior applications – further limits growth potential.
"Market participants should focus on the exterior and UTH application segments rather than the interior application segment, where opportunities are relatively saturated," advised Shankar. "They must also forge close relationships with customers and gain sound technical expertise and backward-integrated resin manufacturing capability to stand out in the European automotive market."
If you are interested in more information on this research, please send an email to Julia Nikishkina, Corporate Communications, at julia.nikishkina@frost.com, with your full name, company name, job title, telephone number, company email address, company website, city, state and country.
Light-weighting Role of Performance Plastics in the European Automotive Market is part of the Chemicals & Materials Growth Partnership Service program. Frost & Sullivan's related research services include: Hot Melt Adhesives Market, Automotive Refinish Coatings Market, and Protective and Marine Coatings Market and the Resins Markets. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants.
Our "Growth Partnership" supports clients by addressing these opportunities and incorporating two key elements driving visionary innovation: The Integrated Value Proposition and The Partnership Infrastructure.
- The Integrated Value Proposition provides support to our clients throughout all phases of their journey to visionary innovation including: research, analysis, strategy, vision, innovation and implementation.
- The Partnership Infrastructure is entirely unique as it constructs the foundation upon which visionary innovation becomes possible. This includes our 360 degree research, comprehensive industry coverage, career best practices as well as our global footprint of more than 40 offices.
For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is your organisation prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies?
Contact Us: Start the discussion
Subscribe: Newsletter on "the next big thing"
Register: Gain access to visionary innovation
Light-weighting Role of Performance Plastics in the European Automotive Market
M9B2-39
Julia Nikishkina
Corporate Communications – Europe
P: +7 (499) 213 0156
E: julia.nikishkina@frost.com
LinkedIn: Future of Chemicals - A Frost & Sullivan Forum
Share this article