The use of leather in car interiors is on the rise due to its durability and luxurious feel. Leather is commonly found in various parts of a car's interior, including seats, gearboxes, consoles, infotainment systems, instrument panels, and interior decor. Its high elasticity makes leather seats comfortable and resistant to alcohol, water, stains, extreme heat, and cold. This durability not only enhances the driving experience but also reduces maintenance costs.
In the automotive industry, PVC vinyl fabric is often used for seat upholstery, but leather remains a preferred choice for many. Most passenger cars now incorporate leather due to customer demand for a premium look and feel. This growing demand extends to the aftermarket sector, driven by the desire for customization and enhanced seat quality. As a result, the automotive industry is experiencing significant expansion.
The growth of the automotive industry is particularly notable in recent years, especially with the increasing popularity of electric vehicles (e-vehicles). The Asia-Pacific region has witnessed substantial growth in the automotive market, and this trend is expected to continue over the next decade. The reduction of harmful emissions, improved safety and comfort, and economic benefits are driving factors in this growth. Fuel-efficient vehicles, a prevalent trend in the Asia-Pacific automotive market, contribute to the increasing demand for automotive interior leathers.
The durability and wear resistance of automotive interior leathers make them widely used in heavy vehicles, carriers, passenger vehicles, and other locomotives. The rise of autonomous and electric vehicles is anticipated to further boost the automotive interior leather market. A significant percentage of consumers in China and Japan express a preference for hybrid-electric or battery-electric vehicles. However, the demand for petrol and diesel-based vehicles is expected to persist.
In the United States, the sale of commercial vehicles is another significant factor influencing the consumption of automotive interior leather. In 2020, over 12 million commercial vehicles were sold, and the trucking industry is expected to continue growing in the coming years. The surge in e-commerce has further fueled the manufacturing sector, where commercial vehicles play a vital role in delivering goods.
The growing popularity of electric vehicles contributes to the increasing demand for automotive interior leather. The global sales volumes of electric vehicles are becoming substantial, creating profit opportunities for leather suppliers and other players in the automotive industry. As the production of electric vehicles continues to rise alongside traditional gasoline-based cars, the demand for automotive interior leather is expected to grow steadily in the foreseeable future.
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The automotive interior material market size is estimated to reach USD 149.6 billion by the end of the current forecast period in 2030, at a CAGR of 4.50%. The automotive interior materials market has a higher penetration in the Asian Pacific region and the Middle East & Africa. This growth can be attributed to the rising economic condition and urbanization in the Asian Pacific and the Middle East & African countries. In addition, optimizing fuel efficiency by reducing the overall vehicle weight, followed by other factors like the increased globalization and the high demand for new technologies and customization, are driving the automotive interior materials market.
The global pandemic has affected the automotive interior material market, which is expected to be moderately affected due to disruptions in the global supply chain. The global market functioning is highly dependent on the refinery & petrochemical, chemical, metal, and other power generation industries. China is a significant market for exports and industrial production, and the imposition of strict lockdowns in the country's significant provinces affected the industrial activities. The propelling demand for industrial equipment declined significantly in the first quarter of 2022, mainly due to the outbreak of COVID-19, followed by the imposition of restrictions and lockdown. The Chinese region is among the largest producers of automobiles. However, many disruptions in the supply of raw material have weakened the production of automotive interior material in the country.
The availability of affordable vehicles has grown considerably over the recent years due to increased traveling among people, and the same can be seen during the continuous period. Subsequently, it has resulted in the increased expectation of automotive interior designs, and these are both visually appealing and comfortable. Furthermore, the increased technological advancements in the market and the rising demand for customization of automotive interior materials are driving the market. Therefore, the global automotive interior material market companies are offering customizations to create innovative interiors following the customer's demand. Furthermore, there has been an increase in health awareness among consumers, and it is encouraging companies to introduce eco-friendly automotive interior materials, which will help enhance comfortable driving. These factors influence the growth of the automotive interior material market and will expand the market share during the period ending in 2030.
It is imperative to understand that the automotive interior materials market includes various functions, and leather manufacturing is one. The tanning process in leather manufacturing is a sub-divided market inclusion is the most polluting stage of leather processing. It includes metals such as chromium, aluminum chlorides, sulfates of potassium, and others like aluminum and zirconium sulfates. Hence, with the help of green chemistry, global market manufacturers have developed methods to use safer chemicals that can be disposed of quickly. The unique techniques among them include tanning skins with glutaraldehyde in unnatural d-AA such as d-alanine or d-lysine. These highlight results like providing high leather stability due to the bridging feature of the carboxylic and the amino group of the amino acids. The wastewater generated amid the conduction of such processes contains no hazardous chemicals, as toxic tanning agents are not used during the described process. Hence, wastewater and water treatment system plants gain the benefit from proper handling and final disposal of waste. All these factors are likely to play a significant role in the expansion of the automotive interior material market during the period ending in 2030.
As a primary market function, Genuine leather is the most expensive material currently used as automotive upholstery and causes issues for the market players that eye on expansion and growth. The leather processing industry is witnessing many effects in most developed markets due to the stringent environmental regulations that have made it difficult for local or regional manufacturers in these regions to remain profitable and expand during the continuous period. Following this, there has been an increase in the import of leather from African countries with heavy leather, and the Asian Pacific region like India with light leather was observed. However, the birth of market factors like a high import price, availability of alternatives like synthetic leather, and others like the changing perception of consumers toward genuine leather has compelled most manufacturers to switch to eco-friendly alternatives.
Automobile doors panels belong to the automotive interior material market and are components that help mitigate the impact of side collisions and increase the overall safety of the occupant. The interior door panel, as a sub-market segment, is made of various materials, and the finish depends on the rest of the vehicle interiors, which include the dashboard and carpets, among others. Door panels vary from simple plastic and sleek designs to hand-stitched leather finish, depending on the vehicle type and segment. Along with providing an aesthetic appeal, these door panels are also designed to improve the functionality and ergonomics of the vehicle. This increases the comfort level provided by the vehicle. In addition, door panels play an essential role in verticals like NVH, packaging, storage, and vehicle styling.
Industrial expansion and technological developments in the European region drive the consumption of automotive interior material. The market's global growth is also expected to be supported by the improving global economy and highlighted during the continuous period that ends in 2030. The automotive sector is one of the key industries located in the European region. The major growth drivers for the European automotive interior materials market share include the following:
Major players are automotive interior components and solution providers such as Grupo Antolin (Spain) and others like Faurecia (France). With the ongoing automotive industry developments, on and off-site research, and widening distribution networks, the demand for automotive interior materials is expected to increase during the forecast period ending in 2030.
The automotive interior material market report has been prepared to understand the market preparedness to deal with the market functioning before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The market report highlights the rising degree of competition in the market premises followed by the recent developments undertaken by various market players during the period.
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