Automotive Plastic Materials Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast Segmented By Vehicle Type, By Type, By Application, By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Description

The Global Automotive Plastic Materials Market is projected to expand from USD 46.57 Billion in 2025 to USD 67.65 Billion by 2031, achieving a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.42%. This market includes a wide array of high-performance polymers, such as polypropylene, polyurethanes, and polycarbonates, which are engineered to substitute traditional metal parts in vehicle production. These materials are essential to the industry's lightweighting initiatives, which aim to improve fuel economy and safety standards while lowering overall vehicle mass. The sector is chiefly supported by strict government environmental regulations requiring reduced fleet emissions, as well as the increasing production of electric vehicles that demand lighter chassis components to optimize battery range and performance.

Market Overview
Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size 2025	USD 46.57 Billion
Market Size 2031	USD 67.65 Billion
CAGR 2026-2031	6.42%
Fastest Growing Segment	Lighting & Electric Wiring
Largest Market	Asia Pacific

According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, global car manufacturing reached 75.5 million units in 2024, highlighting the substantial industrial volume fueling the demand for polymer-based applications. However, the market faces a significant obstacle in the form of persistent crude oil price volatility. Since crude oil influences the cost of raw resin production, its fluctuating value creates financial instability for material suppliers and automotive original equipment manufacturers, potentially impeding market growth.

Market Driver

The rapid global transition toward electric and hybrid vehicle manufacturing serves as a major market catalyst, fundamentally changing material needs within the automotive sector. To compensate for the significant weight of battery packs, manufacturers are increasingly adopting advanced thermoplastics and composites, which help extend driving range and enhance overall energy efficiency. This shift demands high-performance materials for components like battery housings, connectors, and thermal management systems, which must provide electrical insulation and heat resistance. The International Energy Agency's 'Global EV Outlook 2024', published in April 2024, projected that global electric car sales would hit approximately 17 million units in 2024, a strong trajectory that directly increases the consumption of specialized automotive polymers.

Concurrently, strict emission regulations and fuel efficiency standards are forcing original equipment manufacturers to pursue aggressive lightweighting strategies through metal replacement. Regulatory bodies worldwide are imposing rigorous limits on tailpipe emissions, making the substitution of heavy steel and aluminum parts with engineering plastics a technical necessity to avoid non-compliance penalties. For instance, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's March 2024 rule targets a near 50 percent reduction in fleet average greenhouse gas emissions by 2032 compared to 2026 standards. This regulatory pressure is driving material adoption in major hubs; as reported by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, new energy vehicle production reached 8.3 million units between January and September 2024, demonstrating the massive scale at which lightweight polymer solutions are currently required.

Market Challenge

The persistent volatility in crude oil prices acts as a critical barrier to the growth of the Global Automotive Plastic Materials Market. Since crude oil is the primary feedstock for producing essential polymers like polypropylene and polycarbonates, erratic shifts in global oil valuation result in unpredictable raw material costs. This instability disrupts the supply chain by making it difficult for resin manufacturers to establish stable long-term pricing, which in turn complicates budget forecasting for automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). When polymer prices spike unexpectedly, the economic advantage of substituting traditional metal parts with plastics diminishes, causing manufacturers to hesitate in adopting aggressive lightweighting strategies.

As reported by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, the Reference Basket crude oil price averaged $73.07 per barrel in December 2024 following a period of market fluctuation. Such instability in feedstock prices directly squeezes profit margins across the industry, limiting the capital available for material innovation. Consequently, this financial unpredictability risks delaying the mass production of lightweight chassis components that are required for the next generation of electric vehicles.

Market Trends

The industry is increasingly shifting focus from simple lightweighting to comprehensive material circularity through the adoption of bio-based and post-consumer recycled (PCR) polymer composites. Manufacturers are integrating renewable feedstocks and mechanically recycled plastics into vehicle interiors and structural components to significantly lower the lifecycle carbon footprint of their fleets. This transition is actively supported by chemical suppliers who are expanding production capacities to meet the rigorous sustainability goals of automotive original equipment manufacturers. In its '2024 Sustainability Report' released in April 2025, LyondellBasell noted a 65 percent increase in its volumes of recycled and renewable-based polymers, reaching over 200,000 metric tons in 2024, highlighting the growing industrial uptake of these sustainable solutions.

Simultaneously, the growth of additive manufacturing for production-grade plastic parts is transforming the supply chain by facilitating the direct fabrication of complex, end-use components without the need for expensive tooling. This technology enables the creation of lightweight, topologically optimized structures and allows for on-demand spare part production, thereby reducing inventory and logistics costs. The sector is moving beyond rapid prototyping toward the mass production of items such as clips, brackets, and customized interior trims. According to Stratasys' 'Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results' from March 2025, manufacturing applications accounted for 36 percent of the company's total revenue in 2024, up from 34 percent the previous year, signaling a strategic pivot toward serial production.

Key Market Players

BASF SE
Dow Inc.
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
Covestro AG
LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
LG Chem Ltd.
Evonik Industries AG
Borealis AG
Celanese Corporation
DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Automotive Plastic Materials Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

Automotive Plastic Materials Market, By Vehicle Type

ICE
BEV
PHEV and HEV

Automotive Plastic Materials Market, By Type

PP
PE
ABS
PU
PVC
PA
PC
PVB & Other Engineering Plastics

Automotive Plastic Materials Market, By Application

Interior
Exterior
Under the Hood and Lighting & Electric Wiring

Automotive Plastic Materials Market, By Region

North America
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
Europe
- France
- United Kingdom
- Italy
- Germany
- Spain
Asia Pacific
- China
- India
- Japan
- Australia
- South Korea
South America
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Colombia
Middle East & Africa
- South Africa
- Saudi Arabia
- UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Automotive Plastic Materials Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Automotive Plastic Materials Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

1. Product Overview

1.1. Market Definition
1.2. Scope of the Market
- 1.2.1. Markets Covered
- 1.2.2. Years Considered for Study
- 1.2.3. Key Market Segmentations

2. Research Methodology

2.1. Objective of the Study
2.2. Baseline Methodology
2.3. Key Industry Partners
2.4. Major Association and Secondary Sources
2.5. Forecasting Methodology
2.6. Data Triangulation & Validation
2.7. Assumptions and Limitations

3. Executive Summary

3.1. Overview of the Market
3.2. Overview of Key Market Segmentations
3.3. Overview of Key Market Players
3.4. Overview of Key Regions/Countries
3.5. Overview of Market Drivers, Challenges, Trends

4. Voice of Customer

5. Global Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook

5.1. Market Size & Forecast
- 5.1.1. By Value
5.2. Market Share & Forecast
- 5.2.1. By Vehicle Type (ICE, BEV, PHEV and HEV)
- 5.2.2. By Type (PP, PE, ABS, PU, PVC, PA, PC, PVB & Other Engineering Plastics)
- 5.2.3. By Application (Interior, Exterior, Under the Hood and Lighting & Electric Wiring)
- 5.2.4. By Region
- 5.2.5. By Company (2025)
5.3. Market Map

6. North America Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook

6.1. Market Size & Forecast
- 6.1.1. By Value
6.2. Market Share & Forecast
- 6.2.1. By Vehicle Type
- 6.2.2. By Type
- 6.2.3. By Application
- 6.2.4. By Country
6.3. North America: Country Analysis
- 6.3.1. United States Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook
  - 6.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 6.3.1.1.1. By Value
  - 6.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 6.3.1.2.1. By Vehicle Type
    - 6.3.1.2.2. By Type
    - 6.3.1.2.3. By Application
- 6.3.2. Canada Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook
  - 6.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 6.3.2.1.1. By Value
  - 6.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 6.3.2.2.1. By Vehicle Type
    - 6.3.2.2.2. By Type
    - 6.3.2.2.3. By Application
- 6.3.3. Mexico Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook
  - 6.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 6.3.3.1.1. By Value
  - 6.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 6.3.3.2.1. By Vehicle Type
    - 6.3.3.2.2. By Type
    - 6.3.3.2.3. By Application

7. Europe Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook

7.1. Market Size & Forecast
- 7.1.1. By Value
7.2. Market Share & Forecast
- 7.2.1. By Vehicle Type
- 7.2.2. By Type
- 7.2.3. By Application
- 7.2.4. By Country
7.3. Europe: Country Analysis
- 7.3.1. Germany Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook
  - 7.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 7.3.1.1.1. By Value
  - 7.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 7.3.1.2.1. By Vehicle Type
    - 7.3.1.2.2. By Type
    - 7.3.1.2.3. By Application
- 7.3.2. France Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook
  - 7.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 7.3.2.1.1. By Value
  - 7.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 7.3.2.2.1. By Vehicle Type
    - 7.3.2.2.2. By Type
    - 7.3.2.2.3. By Application
- 7.3.3. United Kingdom Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook
  - 7.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 7.3.3.1.1. By Value
  - 7.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 7.3.3.2.1. By Vehicle Type
    - 7.3.3.2.2. By Type
    - 7.3.3.2.3. By Application
- 7.3.4. Italy Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook
  - 7.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 7.3.4.1.1. By Value
  - 7.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 7.3.4.2.1. By Vehicle Type
    - 7.3.4.2.2. By Type
    - 7.3.4.2.3. By Application
- 7.3.5. Spain Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook
  - 7.3.5.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 7.3.5.1.1. By Value
  - 7.3.5.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 7.3.5.2.1. By Vehicle Type
    - 7.3.5.2.2. By Type
    - 7.3.5.2.3. By Application

8. Asia Pacific Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook

8.1. Market Size & Forecast
- 8.1.1. By Value
8.2. Market Share & Forecast
- 8.2.1. By Vehicle Type
- 8.2.2. By Type
- 8.2.3. By Application
- 8.2.4. By Country
8.3. Asia Pacific: Country Analysis
- 8.3.1. China Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook
  - 8.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 8.3.1.1.1. By Value
  - 8.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 8.3.1.2.1. By Vehicle Type
    - 8.3.1.2.2. By Type
    - 8.3.1.2.3. By Application
- 8.3.2. India Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook
  - 8.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 8.3.2.1.1. By Value
  - 8.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 8.3.2.2.1. By Vehicle Type
    - 8.3.2.2.2. By Type
    - 8.3.2.2.3. By Application
- 8.3.3. Japan Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook
  - 8.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 8.3.3.1.1. By Value
  - 8.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 8.3.3.2.1. By Vehicle Type
    - 8.3.3.2.2. By Type
    - 8.3.3.2.3. By Application
- 8.3.4. South Korea Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook
  - 8.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 8.3.4.1.1. By Value
  - 8.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 8.3.4.2.1. By Vehicle Type
    - 8.3.4.2.2. By Type
    - 8.3.4.2.3. By Application
- 8.3.5. Australia Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook
  - 8.3.5.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 8.3.5.1.1. By Value
  - 8.3.5.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 8.3.5.2.1. By Vehicle Type
    - 8.3.5.2.2. By Type
    - 8.3.5.2.3. By Application

9. Middle East & Africa Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook

9.1. Market Size & Forecast
- 9.1.1. By Value
9.2. Market Share & Forecast
- 9.2.1. By Vehicle Type
- 9.2.2. By Type
- 9.2.3. By Application
- 9.2.4. By Country
9.3. Middle East & Africa: Country Analysis
- 9.3.1. Saudi Arabia Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook
  - 9.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 9.3.1.1.1. By Value
  - 9.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 9.3.1.2.1. By Vehicle Type
    - 9.3.1.2.2. By Type
    - 9.3.1.2.3. By Application
- 9.3.2. UAE Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook
  - 9.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 9.3.2.1.1. By Value
  - 9.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 9.3.2.2.1. By Vehicle Type
    - 9.3.2.2.2. By Type
    - 9.3.2.2.3. By Application
- 9.3.3. South Africa Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook
  - 9.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 9.3.3.1.1. By Value
  - 9.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 9.3.3.2.1. By Vehicle Type
    - 9.3.3.2.2. By Type
    - 9.3.3.2.3. By Application

10. South America Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook

10.1. Market Size & Forecast
- 10.1.1. By Value
10.2. Market Share & Forecast
- 10.2.1. By Vehicle Type
- 10.2.2. By Type
- 10.2.3. By Application
- 10.2.4. By Country
10.3. South America: Country Analysis
- 10.3.1. Brazil Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook
  - 10.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 10.3.1.1.1. By Value
  - 10.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 10.3.1.2.1. By Vehicle Type
    - 10.3.1.2.2. By Type
    - 10.3.1.2.3. By Application
- 10.3.2. Colombia Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook
  - 10.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 10.3.2.1.1. By Value
  - 10.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 10.3.2.2.1. By Vehicle Type
    - 10.3.2.2.2. By Type
    - 10.3.2.2.3. By Application
- 10.3.3. Argentina Automotive Plastic Materials Market Outlook
  - 10.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast
    - 10.3.3.1.1. By Value
  - 10.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast
    - 10.3.3.2.1. By Vehicle Type
    - 10.3.3.2.2. By Type
    - 10.3.3.2.3. By Application

11. Market Dynamics

11.1. Drivers
11.2. Challenges

12. Market Trends & Developments

12.1. Merger & Acquisition (If Any)
12.2. Product Launches (If Any)
12.3. Recent Developments

13. Global Automotive Plastic Materials Market: SWOT Analysis

14. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

14.1. Competition in the Industry
14.2. Potential of New Entrants
14.3. Power of Suppliers
14.4. Power of Customers
14.5. Threat of Substitute Products

15. Competitive Landscape

15.1. BASF SE
- 15.1.1. Business Overview
- 15.1.2. Products & Services
- 15.1.3. Recent Developments
- 15.1.4. Key Personnel
- 15.1.5. SWOT Analysis
15.2. Dow Inc.
15.3. Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
15.4. Covestro AG
15.5. LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
15.6. LG Chem Ltd.
15.7. Evonik Industries AG
15.8. Borealis AG
15.9. Celanese Corporation
15.10. DuPont de Nemours, Inc.