Global TPO & TPV PP Compound Market for the Automotive Industry - Analysis and Forecast, 2018-2030

The lightweight revolution has resulted in the development of several metals, plastics, and composites for use in the automotive industry. The development of new materials has created a highly competitive environment wherein the manufacturers are constantly competing to provide the best-fitting solution to its consumers. The focus of today’s material suppliers is not only on the lightweight nature, but also on its cost competitiveness and quality. Due to its cost-effectiveness as well as its superior material characteristics, PP compound has cemented its place in the automotive plastics market. Being the most used plastic, PP compound finds widespread application across the automotive interior, exterior, and engine and transmission applications. The three major types of PP compound that find application in the automotive industry include TPO and TPV PP compound, mineral-filled PP compound, and glass-reinforced PP compound.

The market study on TPO and TPV PP compound market for the automotive industry offers a perspective on the material utilization across various automotive applications and parts. The report also provides an analysis for the market penetration of these applications and their growth opportunities across different regions and countries. The study focuses on the changing landscape of the TPO and TPV PP compound market, owing to the capacity expansion of leading players. The study helps in keeping close taps on the TPO and TPV PP compound market as it continues to ward-off competition from other materials while continuously facing a supply crunch. The study also highlights the value contribution at different stages while showing the average margin which is made by the industry players. The research is based on extensive primary interviews (in-house experts, industry leaders, and market players), and secondary research (a host of paid and unpaid databases), along with the analytical tools, that have been used to build the forecast and predictive models.

The global TPO and TPV PP compound market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.21% and 5.90% between 2018 and 2030 in terms of value and volume, respectively.

The report is a compilation of different segments of the global TPO and TPV PP compound market, including market breakdown by automotive applications, and geographical areas. Herein, the revenue generated from the automotive application areas (interior, exterior, and engine & transmission), and geographies (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South America) are tracked to calculate the overall market size, both in terms of value ($million) and volume (kilotons). While highlighting the key driving and restraining forces for this market, the report also provides a detailed summary of the global TPO and TPV PP compound market for the automotive industry. It also includes the key participants involved in the industry at the relevant sections.

The report further includes a thorough analysis of the impact of the Porter’s Five Forces to understand the overall attractiveness of the industry. Further, the report includes an exhaustive analysis of the geographical split into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East & Africa, and South America. Each geography details the individual push and pull forces in addition to the key players from that region. This report is a meticulous compilation of research on more than 100 players in the global TPO and TPV PP compound market and draws upon the insights from in-depth interviews with the key opinion leaders of more than 50 leading companies, market participants, and vendors. The report also profiles approximately 16 supplier and customer profiles with their financial analysis, SWOT, and product portfolio.

The supplier profiles offered in the report are LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V. , Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd, Borealis AG, Washington Penn Plastic Co., Inc., Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Japan Polypropylene Corporation, SAUDI BASIC INDUSTRIES CORPORATION, POLYONE CORPORATION, and Ravago.

The key end user companies profiled in the report include Faurecia, Magna International Inc., REHAU, Summit Plastic Molding Inc., Samvardhana Motherson Group, and Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI).

Engineering plastics and metals have been extensively replaced by polypropylene (PP) compounds in the automotive parts to achieve a significant weight reduction and cost savings. PP compounds are low in cost yet have outstanding mechanical properties and moldability. The compounds account for more than half of plastics used in a vehicle. The adoption of PP compound for new automotive applications and the cannibalization of other plastics by PP compound is expected to increase the share of PP compound in the automotive plastics market  from 28.4% in 2017 to 34.4% in 2030. PP compounds have managed to substitute ABS in several lower-end automotive applications. This substitution is further expected in these applications such as center consoles, door panels, and side pillars. PC/ABS is a highly impact-resistant polymer which finds use in bumpers, but it has been losing its share to TPOs, as TPOs provide a cost-effective alternative to PC/ABS. LFT-PP also substitutes PC/ABS in overhead consoles of automobiles. Weak impact and aesthetic performance limit the usage of virgin PP in automotive industry. Major applications for virgin PP in automotive industry include surge tanks, battery cases, covers, and door liners. Demand for virgin PP in the automotive industry is tied-up with the increasing demand for PP compound in the automotive industry. The direct application of virgin PP in the automotive industry faces replacement threat from PP compound.

Thermoplastic Polyolefins (TPO) are used for applications which require high impact strength. TPO is polypropylene compounded with a rubber/elastomer without being vulcanized. PP compound, which contains vulcanized rubber/elastomer, is termed as a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV). These have high-elastic strength and are used for coverings and tubes. TPO and TPV are widely used in automotive interiors for parts such as instrument panel, center consoles, and interior trims. Interior parts that require good aesthetics along with a soft-touch make use of TPO and TPV. Applications such as closures use TPO due to their impact strength. Bumpers are the largest application of TPO in which it is already a mature market. Bumpers and fenders utilize TPO for high impact strength. Engine and transmission applications involve high heat and require stiffness. These property requirements are not met by TPO and TPV.

In terms of value, the global TPO & TPV PP compound market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.21% during the forecast period 2018-2030.

The global automotive production is dominated by Asia-Pacific region. The total production in the region occupied more than 50% of the global automotive production. Countries such as China and India which occupy a major share in the region’s production are largely dominated by small-passenger cars. Lack of buying capability and the lack of regulatory push restricts the use of plastics in the automobiles produced in the region. The growing GDP of developing economies and the rising consumer demand would provide ample opportunities for TPO and TPV PP compound market to grow in the region.

The automotive industry in Europe is the largest consumer of plastics in each vehicle. The PP compound demand in the region is largely driven by the consumer preference for luxury interiors. Countries in the region also focus on weight reduction in order to comply with the stringent regulations. Government initiatives are a key to increase the adoption of plastics in the automotive industry in Europe. Leading automotive OEMs produce and export vehicles from the region. The high-disposable income and a preference for luxury are important factors that drive the local demand for PP compound. The SUV segment in the region has focused on adding luxury to its interiors as well as exteriors. The segment has witnessed good growth in the region while also increasing the use of TPO and TPV in these vehicles.

Countries such as the Netherlands and Norway are leading the adoption of electric vehicles in the region. Government initiatives have promoted the consumer shift from conventional vehicles towards electric vehicles. The shift towards electric vehicles would require the OEMs to try and reduce the weight of the vehicles in order to improve their range. Battery, which contributes a major portion of the electric vehicle cost needs to be more efficient to compete with traditional vehicles in large volumes. The weight reduction of the vehicle is an important part of improving the efficiency of electric vehicles.

Some of the key players operating in the global TPO & TPV PP compound market include LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V. , Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd, Borealis AG, Washington Penn Plastic Co., Inc., Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Japan Polypropylene Corporation, SAUDI BASIC INDUSTRIES CORPORATION, POLYONE CORPORATION, and Ravago.

Some of the end-users of TPO & TPV PP compound are Faurecia, Magna International Inc., REHAU, Summit Plastic Molding Inc., Samvardhana Motherson Group, and Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI).