Global automotive plastics market estimated to be US$53.8 bln by 2022

From US$19.3 bln in 2014, the global automotive plastics market is estimated to register CAGR of 13.6%, and grow to US$53.8 bln by 2022, as per Global Market Insights, Inc Improvement in vehicle design coupled with growing emission control & weight reduction norms is likely to drive automobile market. Technology innovation with respect to design parameters and aesthetics is likely to drive demand. Steel is being replaced by plastics owing to design versatility offered for various vehicle parts and ideally reduce weight & increase fuel efficiency. Regulations by European Legislation (EC) and CAFÉ are aimed at improving vehicle fuel efficiency. Environmental concerns related to carbon emissions, coupled with non biodegradability of synthetic polymers are likely to hamper automotive plastics market growth. Growing investments to commercialize bioplastics on larger scale coupled with its increasing use in vehicle applications is likely to provide new avenues of growth. PP (polypropylene) was dominant product and accounted for more than 28% of the total automotive plastics market size in 2014. They are increasing used to substitute steel to achieve desired weight reduction properties along with cost savings. PMMA is likely to witness highest gains over the forecast period owing to increasing application scope in side/rear lights. Key Report Insights suggest: * Global automotive plastics market size registered 8.71 mln tons in 2014 and is likely to reach 18.06 mln tons by 2022, with gains at 9.6%. * Electrical components dominated the automotive plastic applications and accounted for 37.1% of the total volume in 2014. High performance plastics for socket manufacturing are used owing to property to withstand extreme temperature without going under degradation. * Power train applications are likely to witness highest gains of 10.6% from 2015 to 2022 owing to increasing use in manufacturing of transmission unit and jolt bolts. * APAC dominated the regional demand and accounted for 53.5% of the total volume in 2014. Preference of manufacturers to establish production base in countries such as China, India, Thailand & Indonesia along with favorable government policies is likely to boost demand. * Latin America, particularly Brazil, automotive plastics market size is anticipated to witness highest gains at a CAGR of 10.6% from 2015 to 2022 owing to increasing consumer spending capacity and growth in vehicle sales. The global market is consolidated with top five players serving to more than 50% of the total volume in 2014. Major companies include BASF, Johnson Control, Delphi Automotive Dow Chemical, AkzoNobel and Evonik. Other major industry participants include GrupoAntolin-Irausa, Borealis AG, Lear Corp, Hanwha Azdel, Momentive Performance Materials, SABI, Magna International, Owens Corning and DSM.