Market outlook: Chemicals are driving growth
Andy Brice
12-Jun-2015
With the megatrend of mobility comes great responsibility. Never have manufacturers and OEMs been under greater pressure to ensure the vehicles on our roads are lightweight, efficient and safe.
An average car contains around 30,000 separate components, most of which are produced from petrochemicals and plastics. Whether it is polypropylene (PP) and polyols or polycarbonate (PC) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), chemicals are vital to the car industry.
According to a recent study by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, the global market for vehicle components is expected to grow to around €800bn ($874bn) by 2020 – representing a €125bn increase in market volume.
The prevalence of plastics in cars has increased considerably in recent decades, thanks in part to their durability, heat resistance and low weight when compared to conventional metal components. The American Chemistry Council (ACC) says plastics make up 50% of the volume of new cars but only 10% of the weight.
Dashboard
Aesthetically pleasing, practical and safe, a vehicle’s dashboard not only needs to house those all important dials and electronics but the many safety features such as multiple passenger airbags as well. PP, ABS and PC are among the most common materials used for dashboards in today’s vehicles
Electrical components
Cars are becoming more advanced and reliant on technology. Components may use PP, PE, PET, PBT or PVC which have excellent thermal, mechanical and chemical properties, and offer longevity and reliability
Liquid reservoirs
Strong, rigid plastic like PP and PE is essential to safely store the various liquids that the car relies on, such as windscreen wash, brake and hydraulic fluids and gasoline
Engine components
Plastics are strong, hard-wearing and resistant to high temperatures so materials such as PP, PBT and polyamide are increasingly used for fittings in the engine compartment. An additional benefit is significant weight reduction
Bumpers
With the bumpers an intrinsic part of a car’s safety, the materials used – such as PS, ABS, PC and PBT – require specific properties to absorb impact and protect the driver
Lighting
Polycarbonate is now largely used in the bezels, lenses and housings. PC is transparent, lightweight, shatterproof, resistant to stone chips and is very easy to mould
Fuel
Reducing harmful emissions remains at the top of the agenda and companies are striving to find greener options. Alternative fuels are therefore becoming increasingly popular, according to the latest figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. The report shows the registration of electric vehicles had doubled year on year for the first quarter of 2015; hybrid cars were up by over 21%; and natural gas- powered car registrations rose by 16.5%
Paints and coatings
Automotive coatings are not only visually important but are designed to withstand dirt and various weather conditions. They also offer resistance to stone chips, fading, scratches and rust and ensure the car’s outer skin retains its appearance throughout its lifetime. An added benefit of today’s coatings is that they are quick to apply and bake, have lower emissions of solvents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are cheap to repair. Some even boast self-healing properties
Glazing
For decades, automotive OEMs and manufacturers have extolled the virtues of replacing heavy glass with safer, easier-to-work-with materials such as polycarbonate. Today, the thermoplastic polymer provides a hard-wearing, transparent, scratch resistant solution that is used in windows (not windscreens, yet), sunroofs and to produce light fittings
Body panels
Many manufacturers are looking towards plastic as their material of choice for the bodywork to reduce their reliance on metals. Not only is it lighter but materials such as thermoplastic composites, PU and PC prove far easier to assemble and offer the driver optimal protection
Seating
There are many facets to the design of a car seat. Combining comfort and functionality, the very fact they take up a sizable portion of the interior means they have to be lightweight. Plastics are therefore replacing metal, while still offering a robust and reliable structure. Fabrics also need to be hard-wearing and durable. PU, PVC, PP, ABS and polyamide use is common
Tyres
A quality tyre made from stryene butadiene rubber (SBR) can reduce driving costs, enhance efficiency and offer fuel savings. Lowering rolling resistance, improving wet grip and cutting rolling noise is vital
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