U.S Automotive Composites Market - Growth Trends and Forecasts (2020 - 2025)

The Unites States of America automotive composites market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 13% during the forecasted period (2020 - 2025)

• Presently, composite materials, like thermoplastics and reinforced glass, have drawn the attention of carmakers, making them focus on sourcing better, tensile, and lighter components in the manufacture of automobile units.
• Factors such as increasing demand for lightweight material from the automotive industry and growing focus on fuel economy are expected to be major drivers for the market. However, high costs associated with carbon fiber composites, and glass fiber composites is hindering the growth of the market, as their usage in low-cost vehicles could drastically increase the prices of such vehicles.
• The low recyclability of composites is also a restraint for their penetration in entry-level passenger vehicles. However, collaborations of the OEMs with suppliers (due to rising demand for fuel-efficient vehicles, growing lightweight electrical vehicle segment, and major automobile giants, like BMW and Nissan, trying to replace their existing metal parts with composite fibers) imply the scope and booming opportunity that the market is anticipated to offer over the forecast period.

Key Market Trends

Growing Demand for Lightweight Materials

The automotive industry has been focusing on vehicle weight for decades as vehicle weight have direct impact on driving dynamics and fuel consumption. Due to the high cost of potential lightweight solutions and consumers’ limited willingness to pay for weight reduction in automotive, the use of costly lightweight materials has so far been limited. As governments from around the world are implementing stringent emission regulations and even are planning to set even higher emissions standards in the coming years, the importance of lightweight materials will increase. In a typical automobile, the use of fibers is 50% by volume, while adding just 10% to the weight. In the United States, regulations mandate that by 2025, the average fuel economy standard must meet 54.5 miles per gallon. 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 a result, companies have started using materials like carbon fiber and glass fiber composites to make vehicles lightweight and fuel-efficient. The usage of glass fiber composites aids in reducing vehicle by 25%.

Apart from carbon fiber, automobile manufacturers have been using glass fiber composites in the manufacturing of numerous automotive components. For instance, 2017 Mini Countryman features an interior panel carrier, uses high flow concentrate long glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene (LGFPP) material (STAMAX resin) from SABIC. The part is ~15% lighter in weight than if made from solid plastic. With the demand for lightweight vehicles increasing rapidly in developing economies, the market for carbon fiber composites is projected to grow at a fast pace during the forecast period.

Technological Advancements Will Help Market Grow

Composite parts not only benefit businesses but also help in reducing raw material requirements, energy consumption, and increasing flexibility in prices. It also plays a role in achieving sustainability. Manufacturers are taking advantage of technological advancements. Composites are increasingly being used in interiors, exteriors and under the hood. Air intake, engine oil pan, radiator, engine cover, air cooler end caps and aero ducts. Technological advancements have helped produce composites that are heat and temperature resistant. Polyamide is one of the composites which can withstand a temperature of 250 degree Celsius. Exterior applications include fender, liftgate, door module, hood, and bumper. Other application includes pressure vessels, underbody shield, driveshaft and lead springs.

Glass fibre and Carbon fibre composite materials are very common in the automotive industry. During the forecasted period, the glass fibre composite material is expected to be in high demand. Glass fibre material offers low cost, chemical and corrosion resistance and moderate mechanical performance. The low recyclability of composites is also a restraint for their penetration in entry-level passenger vehicles. However, collaborations of the OEMs with suppliers will open opportunity for the market to grow. Raising consumer confidence, improving quality, durability, and advancement of technology together, these factors are expected to drive the market for automobile composites toward growth.

Competitive Landscape

The United States of America automotive composite market is consolidated. Industry participants are expected to expect intensive competition owing to aggressive strategies, including acquisitions, pricing, merges, and new product development. Significant players in the market are hexcel Corporation, Mitsubishi Chemical Carbon Fibre and composite Inc, SGL carbon and Toray Industries Inc.

In November 2018, Hexcel Corporation acquired ARC technologies, the same company in 2017 acquired Oxford performance material company. In March 2018, Toray industries acquired TenCate advanced composites for 823.8 million Euros. PPG Industries fibreglass was acquired by Nippon On Sep 14, 2017. Composite material manufacturer GreenCore materials announced on Jan 29, 2020 that they will setup a 10 million USD factory in Georgetown. On March 6, 2020 TRB lightweight and Toyota Tsuho America announced joint venture to produce high volume composite parts to serve automotive industry in North American region.

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