Automotive Airbag Market

As traces of the 2008 global economic slump are fading, the automotive market is on course to witnessing a resurgence of sorts. Currently, the automotive segment is regarded as one of the few booming sectors in the world. Over the next few years, the automotive and automobile market is expected to register impressive growth rates. Factors such as passenger safety are coming under the spotlight, especially in non-traditional economies.

In this context, the global automotive air bag market is expected to witness high growth rates. Many of these changes in passenger safety standards will be a result of new legislation that has been recently introduced – or will soon be brought about – in thriving markets. In fact, the installation of certain safety devices is soon to become mandatory in cars and a few other passenger vehicles. Besides the Automotive Airbag Market, other segments such as seat belt restraint systems will attain healthy growth and garner more revenues.

A typically airbag module is composed of the following important elements: Crash sensors, steering wheel connecting coil, an inflator, and diagnostic monitoring units. The size and shape of the airbag varies depending on the specifications of the vehicle itself.

The Three Leading Drivers for the Automotive Airbag Market

There are several factors that prove favorable to the growth of the global automotive airbag market, but here are the three most important ones:

• There have been recent advancements in technology, leading to a wider acceptance of automotive airbags

• Several new regulations have been introduced to ensure the safety of passengers in automotives. The adoption of these regulations has been made mandatory in regions such as Europe and North America (mainly the U.S.). This is also true of some APAC countries, such as Australia and New Zealand.

• There is an overall increase in consumers’ awareness pertaining to their own safety and security when behind the wheel or inside a vehicle. This has proven to be an advantage of the growth of the automotive airbag market.

Asia Pacific was at the Forefront of the Automotive Airbag Market in 2013; Heavy Investments Expected to Flow into the Region

The overall automotive airbag market can be segmented on the basis of the types of airbag safety systems. When segmented thus, the market features: Front, knee, side and curtain airbags. The largest market share in the global automotive airbag market was held by Asia Pacific in 2013. This prominent position held by APAC, largely because of the high automotive demand here, is expected to promote the inflow of investments into the APAC region. A number of high-end air bag development and improvement research initiatives are already underway in the Asia Pacific market, and this will prove favorable to growth.

The other important factor at play in the Asia Pacific market is that of a visible improvement in the lifestyles of consumers. This has led to higher demand for automobiles as well as sophisticate features housed therein. According to the estimates of a U.S.-based market research firm, the Asia Pacific automotive airbag market stood at US$5.91 billion in 2013. The Asia Pacific automotive airbag market will also grow the fastest in the coming years.

The cost factor will play a very important role in the growth of the automotive airbag market - not just in price-sensitive APAC countries, but across other regions as well. Thus, companies will be forced to balance their cost against all other important factors.

Emission Control Catalysts Market

The market is the stringent environmental policies that have been adopted by various governments and environmental protection agencies.Catalytic converters can be classified based on the application that they are being installed for and type of engine. Based on application, catalysts are industrial or automotive.

With the advent of emission regulation policies, such as the Euro standards in Europe, National Ambient Air Quality Standards in the USA and Bharat Stage emission standards in India, there has been a revolution in the production of emission control equipments, specifically catalyst based. Catalysts are used in gasoline or diesel based internal combustion engines. At the onset of the environmental emission regulations, catalysts were only made compulsory for automobiles but with the progress in technology and extent of emissions from production facilities across the world, catalysts were considered necessary for industrial and power plants as well. Emissions occurring from automobiles, heavy duty equipments and industrial plants, besides containing carbon dioxide, also possess certain other compounds, such as carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and unburnt or partially burnt fuels, which are extremely hazardous for the environment. The regulations have been put in place to curb the emission of such compounds in order to protect the ecology. Catalysts curb the emission of such compounds, convert them to non-hazardous materials and then release them into the atmosphere.

One of the most important drivers for the market is the stringent environmental policies that have been adopted by various governments and environmental protection agencies. These directives guide the market to improve emission control technologies and make them standardized and compliant across the planet. Another driver is the continuous development of new and upgraded catalysts across the market that prompts automobile and industrial catalyst manufacturers to innovate, thus causing replacement of the older catalysts. On the other hand, catalysts face constraints in the form of being expensive to procure or replace. Additionally, since catalytic converters emit carbon dioxide after conversion of hazardous elements, they are faintly responsible for the increased amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. But regardless of the pros and cons of catalysts, market opportunities lie in emerging markets, especially India and China that will affect the market in the near future.

Catalytic converters can be classified based on the application that they are being installed for and type of engine. Based on application, catalysts are industrial or automotive. Under the automotive segment, catalysts can be installed in passenger vehicles, trailers, buses, tractors and earth moving equipment and even aircrafts. For industrial use, the type of catalyst to be installed is decided based on the environmental norms imposed on the particular industry i.e. a petroleum refinery would need the highest grade of catalysts as compared to a food processing unit. Based on the type of engine, catalysts are different for internal combustion engines as compared to spark ignition ones.

Regionally, emission control catalyst market has seen the most growth from North America, due to the highest number of automobiles and industries existing in the region, specifically in the U.S. Due to stringent Euro standards; Europe has also seen increased demand for catalysts, mainly from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom. The Asia Pacific expanse is currently seeing a rise in emission control catalyst demand due to the industrialization of emerging economies, essentially from India, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Pakistan and Japan. Across the rest of the world, heavy demand can be witnessed from U.A.E., Oman, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Libya and Brazil.

Some of the companies involved in the manufacturing of control catalysts are: Tenneco Inc., DCL International Inc., KATCON Global, Eastern Manufacturing Inc., Bastuck GmbH &Co., Bosal Nederland B.V. and AirTek Inc.

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Automotive Glass Market

Different types of glass used in the automobile industry, such as windscreen, side and rear windows, and glass panel roof, are collectively known as automotive glass. The Automotive Glass Market can be primarily divided into two segments: Aftersales Replacement Glass (ARG) and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) glass.Aftersales Replacement Glass (ARG) is used in maintenance and repairing activities in post-sale products. 

                           

On the other hand, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)glass is sold to vehicle manufacturers primarily for installation on new automobiles.Demand for ARG is 15% to 20% of the total demand for automotive glass, while remaining demand is generated by OEM glass. Generally, automotive glass accounts for 3% of the total vehicle weight. Demand for automotive glass dependsondemand from the automotive industry.In 2014, the automotive industry accounted for 15% of the total float glass market. Out of this, 95% was accounted by the mainstream automotive industry including trucks, buses, coaches, and off-road mobile machinery. The remaining 5% is used in the transportation sector in inland waterways, trains, trucks, metros, ships, etc.

Market prices of automotive glass depend on its demand in the market and raw material cost. After the economic slowdown in 2008, the automotive glass market witnessed rise in demand due to increase in production of automobiles. Average global price of automotive glass was highly variable from 2008 to 2010; however, it stabilized after 2010,depicting consistency in the automobile market.The automotive glass industry is expected to witness growth in the next few years due to increasing global GDP and urbanization. Side glazing is the latest trend in the automotive glass market; hence, average glass used per vehicle has increased.Complexity and value of the glass being delivered to the automotive industry is increasing to satisfy the end userwith security and safety requirements. Research and development is being carried by automotive glass manufacturers to introduce innovative features and technology.The OEM market has to overcome restraints to enterthe market by following a long certification cycle, including third-party certification, design automobile factory certification, testing, and bid invitation. Whole vehicle manufacturers rely onlogistics supply, high-standard synchronous R&D, production technology, and product quality of auto glass production, while the OEM market has high concentration rate and large demand.End-users choose auto glass manufacturers with high brand awareness and large-scale suppliers.Automotive smart glass with auto dimming properties has drawn attention of the automotive industry. Manufacturers prefer advantageous location of production base and realize short-distance supply to reduce costs. The smart glass segment of automotive glass manipulatesand optimizes natural light, cooling and heating load, lighting load etc.

In terms of consumption of automotive glass, currentlyEurope accounts for more than one-third share of the global automotive glass market, followed by North America and Asia Pacific. China, Japan, South Korea, European Union, and North America account for 93% of the global automotive glass market. The automotive market in North America is estimated to be one of the fastest-growing markets with a vehicle production growth rate of 5.6% during the forecast period. Production of light commercial vehicles has also grown rapidly in North America at the rate of 9.7% during the forecast period. China, is responsible for almost 10% of the global share and also have a lion’s share in global OEM market.

Automotive Interior Materials Market

"Automotive Interior Materials Market ": Make intelligent decisions with strategic market research reports. Learn about current trends, size, shares and growth opportunities in your market. Refer market research report on “Automotive Interior Materials Market” 2012 To 2018

Automotive manufacturers are focusing more on interiors of automotives due to the demand and changing taste and preferences of customers. Manufacturers are seen to concentrate on the materials of automotive interiors which help them to differentiate their brands from others and support their sustainability objectives. There are three basic materials that are used in automotive interiors: vinyl, leather and fabric (velvet, velour and cloth fabrics).

Manufacturers are also using light weight material to reduce the weight of automotives due to continuing concerns regarding fuel efficiency. New technologies and light weight metal alloys are driving the attractiveness of the market. Some of the materials that are redefining the growth of this market include: Stainless Steel, Polyphenylene Oxide, Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS), Platinum Group Metals (PGM), Thermoplastic Polyolefins and many more. These materials provide high resistance to oil, low temperature flexibility and excellent elasticity.

Continuous research and development in automotive materials may lead to further opportunities. More joint ventures and mergers may help to cater to the increasing market demand. Some advanced materials such as fabric upholstery require maintenance and cleanliness which may limit the sale of automotives. Also high cost of advanced materials is a big challenge to manufacturers.

Some of the key players in the market include AK Steel Holding Corporation, BASF AG, DuPont (EI) de Nemours, General Electric Company, Goodrich (BF) Performance Materials, Honeywell International Incorporated, United States Steel Corporation, 3M Company, Noveon Incorporate, Hoeganaes Corporation, Material Sciences Corporation, LNP Engineering Plastics, Phillips Plastics Corporation, Sunprene Company etc.