Exterior automotive plastics encompass a range of plastic materials utilized in the production of external components for diverse vehicles. These materials may comprise thermoplastic polymers, composites, bioplastics, or other plastic blends.
The primary categories of exterior automotive plastics consist of thermoplastic polymers, composites, and bioplastics. Polypropylene, a significant member of the polyolefin resin family, undergoes molding or extrusion to form a diverse array of plastic products that necessitate toughness, flexibility, lightweight properties, and heat resistance. Various vehicle types, including passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and others, utilize materials such as polyurethane, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, and others. These materials find applications in various components such as bumpers and grills, roofs, lights, liftgates, and more.
The exterior automotive plastics market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides Exterior automotive plastics market statistics, including Exterior automotive plastics industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an Exterior automotive plastics market share, detailed Exterior automotive plastics market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the Exterior automotive plastics industry. This Exterior automotive plastics market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The exterior automotive plastics market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from$12.7 billion in 2024 to $13.47 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to the industrialization of livestock farming, animal health and productivity, fluctuations in feed ingredient prices, globalization of livestock production, nutritional awareness, and regulatory support
The exterior automotive plastics market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $17.38 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for aquaculture feed, alternative protein sources, biosecurity concerns, the impact of climate change, and growing demand for animal protein. Major trends in the forecast period include technological advancements in feed formulation, traceability and transparency, integration of digital technologies, innovations in feed additives, and sustainable sourcing.
Increasing demand from the automotive industry is expected to drive growth in the exterior automotive plastics market in the future. The automotive industry includes the sales and production of various vehicle types, such as passenger cars, hybrid vehicles, and motorcycles. Exterior automotive plastics are essential for manufacturing many vehicle components, including body panels, bumpers, grilles, mirrors, and trim. These plastics are often favored over traditional materials like steel or aluminum due to their lighter weight, durability, and resistance to corrosion. For example, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, a Belgium-based trade association, global motor vehicle production reached 85.4 million units in 2022, marking a 5.7% increase from 2021. Consequently, the growing demand from the automotive industry is fueling the expansion of the exterior automotive plastics market.
The expected growth in the exterior automotive plastics market is also anticipated to be influenced by the growing investments in the automotive industry. Investments in this sector involve the allocation of capital for purposes such as acquisition, development, and support activities related to design, production, distribution, and innovation within the automotive domain. Investments in exterior automotive plastics can contribute to the advancement and wider adoption of these materials in the industry. For instance, in 2022, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a US-based manufacturing company, reported a notable increase in investment within the US automotive manufacturing industry, rising from $32 billion in 2021 to $43 billion in 2022. Therefore, the substantial investment in the manufacturing sector acts as a catalyst for the growth of the exterior automotive plastics market.
The growing adoption of sustainable products is a significant trend gaining traction in the exterior automotive plastics market. Companies in this sector are increasingly integrating sustainable solutions to maintain their competitive edge. For example, in February 2024, AkzoNobel NV, a Netherlands-based provider of paints, coatings, and specialty chemicals, introduced a 2K solvent-borne primer in conductive and dark grey, specifically formulated for automotive OEM exterior plastic components, which often present adhesion challenges for clients. The low polarity of plastics like polypropylene results in low surface energy and insufficient adhesion, complicating the coating process for parts such as bumpers, rocker panels, and accent features.
Prominent companies in the exterior automotive plastics market are driving innovation by introducing advanced technological products such as nanocellulose fiber-reinforced plastics, offering sustainable solutions for the automotive industry. Nanocellulose fiber-reinforced plastics involve the use of nanocellulose as a reinforcing agent in polymer matrices to create high-performance biocomposites. For instance, in April 2022, Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd., a Japan-based automotive manufacturing company, developed a cellulose nanofiber (CNF)-reinforced plastic to reduce CO2 emissions over the lifecycle of automotive components. This CNF-reinforced plastic integrates 20% CNF into a general-purpose plastic (polypropylene) used in various automobile interior and exterior components. Although the initial application presented challenges related to reduced impact resistance from CNF inclusion, ongoing developments aim to address this concern.
In October 2022, Aurora Plastics LLC, a US-based plastics fabrication company, completed a merger with Enviroplas Inc., a US-based exterior automotive plastics company, for an undisclosed amount. This strategic merger is poised to expand the product offerings of Aurora Plastics, providing clients with access to a broader selection of products. This collaboration reinforces their shared commitment to delivering exceptional quality and service in the exterior automotive plastics sector.
Major companies operating in the exterior automotive plastics market include Arkema S.A., BASF SE, Borealis AG, DuPont de Nemours Inc., Royal DSM N.V., Evonic Industries AG, ExxonMobil Corporation, Lanxess, LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Convestro AG, Saudi Arabia's Basic Industries Corporation, Celanese Corporation, Salem Industrial Plastics, Lear Corporation, Magna International Inc., Trinseo S.A., Adient plc, Flex-N-Gate Corporation, Solvay S.A., Teijin Limited, DSM Engineering Plastics, LG Chem Ltd., Kuraray Co. Ltd., Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd., Sumitomo Chemical Company Limited, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG, Ravago Group, Plastic Omnium Group, Hanwha Advanced Materials Corp.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the exterior automotive plastics market in 2024. The regions covered in the exterior automotive plastics market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa
The countries covered in the exterior automotive plastics market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain
The exterior automotive plastics market consists of sales of body panels, and trims. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Exterior Automotive Plastics Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on exterior automotive plastics market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for exterior automotive plastics ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The exterior automotive plastics market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include:
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth. It covers the growth trajectory of COVID-19 for all regions, key developed countries and major emerging markets.
The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.
Scope
Markets Covered:1) By Type: Thermoplastic polymers; Composites; Bioplastics
2) By Vehicle Type: Passenger Cars; Commercial Vehicles; Other Vehicle Types
3) By Material: Polyurethane; Polycarbonate; Polypropylene; Polyethylene; Polyamide; Polyvinyl Chloride; Other Materials
4) By Application: Bumpers and Grills; Roof; Lights; Liftgate; Other Applications
3. Exterior Automotive Plastics Market Trends And Strategies
4. Exterior Automotive Plastics Market - Macro Economic Scenario including the impact of Interest Rates, Inflation, Geopolitics and Covid And Recovery on the Market
5. Global Exterior Automotive Plastics Growth Analysis And Strategic Analysis Framework
5.1. Global Exterior Automotive Plastics PESTEL Analysis (Political, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal Factors, Drivers and Restraints)
5.2. Analysis Of End Use Industries
5.3. Global Exterior Automotive Plastics Market Growth Rate Analysis
5.4. Global Exterior Automotive Plastics Historic Market Size and Growth, 2019 - 2024, Value ($ Billion)
5.5. Global Exterior Automotive Plastics Forecast Market Size and Growth, 2024 - 2029, 2034F, Value ($ Billion)
5.6. Global Exterior Automotive Plastics Total Addressable Market (TAM)
6.1. Global Exterior Automotive Plastics Market, Segmentation By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Thermoplastic polymers
Composites
Bioplastics
6.2. Global Exterior Automotive Plastics Market, Segmentation By Vehicle Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Passenger Cars
Commercial Vehicles
Other Vehicle Types
6.3. Global Exterior Automotive Plastics Market, Segmentation By Material, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Polyurethane
Polycarbonate
Polypropylene
Polyethylene
Polyamide
Polyvinyl Chloride
Other Materials
6.4. Global Exterior Automotive Plastics Market, Segmentation By Application, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Bumpers and Grills
Roof
Lights
Liftgate
Other Applications
6.5. Global Exterior Automotive Plastics Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Thermoplastic Polymers, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Polypropylene (PP)
Polyethylene (PE)
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
Polycarbonate (PC)
Polyamide (Nylon)
6.6. Global Exterior Automotive Plastics Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Composites, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics (GFRP)
Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP)
Natural Fiber Reinforced Plastics
6.7. Global Exterior Automotive Plastics Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Bioplastics, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Polylactic Acid (PLA)
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)
Starch-Based Plastics
7. Exterior Automotive Plastics Market Regional And Country Analysis
7.1. Global Exterior Automotive Plastics Market, Split By Region, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
7.2. Global Exterior Automotive Plastics Market, Split By Country, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion