Global Automotive Elastomers Market Assessment, By Elastomer Type [Thermoset, Thermoplastic], By Application [Interior, Exterior], By Vehicle Type [Passenger Cars, Light Commercial Vehicles, Heavy Commercial Vehicles], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2018-2032F

Automotive Elastomers Market is projected to witness a CAGR of 5.60% during the forecast period 2025–2032, growing from USD 36.90 billion in 2024 to USD 57.06 billion in 2032.

The global automotive elastomers market is expected to experience steady growth, driven by increasing demand for lightweight and high-performance materials in the automotive industry. Elastomers are primarily used in the production of critical automotive components, including hoses, seals, gaskets, and interior systems. The Demand for automotive elastomers varies across regions and vehicle segments, primarily driven by the industry's shift toward lighter vehicles to enhance fuel efficiency. Due to their high flexibility and heat resistance properties, elastomers are a preferred material choice for automotive manufacturers looking to fulfill lower emissions and efficiency targets.

The Asia-Pacific region remains at the forefront of the global market due to its large automotive production volumes, increasing consumer demand, and enhanced sustainable manufacturing practices. The shift from research to commercialization of recyclable and bio-based elastomers indicates a more substantial effort towards sustainability. Although prevailing short-term macroeconomic headwinds may hinder market momentum, long-term fundamentals, such as stringent safety standards, comfort enhancements, and environmental objectives, will continue to underpin steady demand for automotive elastomers.

Report Attribute	Details
Base Year of the Analysis	2024
Historical Period	2018-2023
Forecast Period	2025-2032F
Projected Growth Rate	CAGR of 5.60% between 2025 and 2032
Revenue Forecast in 2032	USD 57.06 billion

Increasing Demand for Lightweight and High-Performance Materials Drives Market Growth

The global automotive elastomers market is experiencing robust growth, primarily propelled by the escalating demand for lightweight and high-performance materials in vehicle manufacturing. As automotive manufacturers strive to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, there's a growing need for materials that can significantly lower vehicle weight without compromising structural integrity or performance. Elastomers are attractive materials due to their elasticity, durability, and relatively low weight, as well as their high strength-to-weight ratio. These unique properties make them ideal for applications in automotive systems and components where superior sealing, vibration damping, and noise reduction are required. Applications of elastomers in automotive systems are wide-ranging, including use in engine mounts, suspension bushings, interior trim, and weather stripping. A significant portion of this activity is seen in applications in electric vehicle development, where minimizing weight, and therefore maximizing range and efficiency, is very important. High-performance materials also play a role in the improvements seen related to the safety and comfort of the driver and passengers. In addition to weight and high-performance, there is increased attention and emphasis on the elastomer's resistance to extreme temperatures and quality performance against chemical and abrasive materials. The growing demand for elastomers is undeniably driving manufacturers to adopt increasingly innovative approaches in their research and development efforts. To effectively meet this growing need, companies are increasingly focusing on strategic collaborations and product innovations that cater to the evolving requirements of the automotive industry.

For instance, in October 2024, BASF launched its new Elastollan® 1400 series, an ether-based thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that has excellent hydrolysis and microbe resistance with consistent processing behavior and a rigid compression set. The material supports both extrusion and injection molding and demonstrates excellent burst pressure and dimensional stability across a broad temperature range. With long-term aging stability as well as a reduced carbon footprint (up to 30% less than comparable TPUs), the material is appropriate for applications such as tubes, hoses, rail pads, and cable jacketing. Experimental grades are available for sampling to allow customers to test and incorporate the new TPU into their systems.

Stringent Environmental Regulations Propel Market Growth

Stringent environmental regulations are a primary catalyst for the growth of the automotive elastomers market. Governments globally are implementing stricter emission standards for vehicles, pushing automotive manufacturers to adopt innovative products and technologies that reduce the environmental impact of their products. This includes regulations aimed at improving fuel economy and reducing tailpipe emissions, which directly increase the demand for lightweight, durable components, many of which rely on advanced elastomers.

Beyond these factors, there is a growing emphasis on the recyclability and sustainability of automotive materials. This trend is driving the development of bio-based and recyclable elastomers and supporting the automotive industry’s shift toward a circular economy. The regulatory drive to expand electric vehicle (EV) adoption, aimed at reducing air pollution and decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, is also significantly influencing the elastomers market. Electric Vehicles require specialized elastomers for battery sealing, cable insulation, and thermal management, opening up new avenues for market expansion. These emerging regulatory environments require ongoing advancement in elastomer technology to ensure materials meet performance requirements while adhering to environmental considerations, all of which is necessary to sustain the automotive elastomers sector's growth in the future.

For instance, in March 2024, Dow introduced a new polyolefin elastomer (POE)-based leather alternative aimed at automotive seating applications, offering an animal-free solution with enhanced softness, color stability, and a weight reduction of 25–40% compared to PVC leather. The material eliminates the need for hazardous chemicals, plasticizers, and heavy metals while maintaining strong resistance to aging and low temperatures. Its low VOC and odor characteristics make it ideal for interior use, and it has already been qualified by an electric vehicle manufacturer through Dow's partner HIUV Materials. Beyond automotive, Dow envisions broader applications in furniture, fashion, and consumer goods, positioning the POE leather as a versatile and sustainable alternative.

Passenger Cars Dominate Automotive Elastomers Market

Passenger cars are the dominating segment driving the growth in the automotive elastomers market, fueled by the sheer volume of production and the increasing per-vehicle content of elastomer components. With rapid urbanisation and rising global disposable incomes, particularly in emerging economies such as China and India, the demand for passenger cars continues to escalate, directly translating into higher consumption of elastomers. Elastomers play a vital role in four-wheeler passenger vehicles, being used in components such as anti-vibration mounts, weatherstrips, hoses, seals, and interior parts like dashboards and seat foam. As vehicle designs continue to evolve, focusing on comfort, safety, and noise reduction, the demand for high-performance elastomers has become increasingly important. Additionally, the growing trend of vehicle lightweighting to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions often involves replacing heavier metallic parts with lighter, durable elastomer alternatives. The increase in electric and hybrid passenger vehicles also plays a crucial role, as these vehicles utilize specialized elastomers for components such as battery protection, electrical insulation, and thermal management systems. The ongoing innovation in elastomer materials, offering enhanced properties such as improved heat resistance, chemical stability, and aesthetic appeal, continues to solidify the dominance of the passenger car segment in the automotive elastomers market.

According to 2024 statistics from the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), 67.65 million passenger cars were produced out of a total global vehicle production of 92.50 million units, which includes passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, heavy trucks, buses, and coaches. These statistics reflect the growth of the passenger car segment and the rising demand for automotive elastomers used in passenger vehicles.

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Asia-Pacific Dominates Automotive Elastomers Market

The Asia-Pacific region is the leading demand-generating region, driven by its robust and expanding automotive manufacturing sector, coupled with rapidly increasing vehicle sales, particularly in countries such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea. This region is a global hub for automotive production, housing numerous original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and automotive component suppliers who are significant consumers of elastomers. The growing middle class and increasing disposable incomes in these countries are driving higher demand for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, which, in turn, is boosting the use of elastomers across interior, exterior, and under-the-hood components. Furthermore, the region is witnessing substantial investments in automotive research and development (R&D), leading to the adoption of advanced materials and manufacturing processes. The emphasis on fuel efficiency, lightweighting, and electric vehicle production in the Asia-Pacific region also significantly contributes to the demand for high-performance elastomers. Government initiatives and favorable policies supporting the automotive industry further consolidate the region's dominant position.

For instance, in July 2023, Mitsui Chemicals held a ground-breaking ceremony for a new plant in Singapore producing TAFMER™ elastomer materials, which will be operated by its subsidiary, Mitsui Elastomers Singapore. The production facility is anticipated to have an annual output of 120,000 tons on top of an existing 225,000 tons. TAFMER™ is a high-performing elastomer material that is used as soft molding and a resin modifier, and is applicable in both the automotive industry, vex solar cells, and in other packaging products. Mitsui also expects demand to grow further due to a trend towards a circular economy and sustainable sourcing of materials.

Report Scope

“Global Automotive Elastomers Market Assessment, Opportunities, and Forecast, 2018-2032F”, is a comprehensive report by Markets and Data, providing in-depth analysis and qualitative and quantitative assessment of the current state of the global automotive elastomers market, industry dynamics, and challenges. The report includes market size, segmental shares, growth trends, opportunities, and forecast between 2025 and 2032. Additionally, the report profiles the leading players in the industry mentioning their respective market share, business model, competitive intelligence, etc.

Report Attribute	Details
Segments Covered	Elastomer Type, Application, Vehicle Type
Regions Covered	North America, Europe, South America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa
Key Companies Profile	BASF SE, The Dow Chemical Company, ExxonMobil Corporation, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), JSR Corporation, ARLANXEO, Kraton Corporation, LG Chem, Ltd., Lotte Versalis Elastomers Co. Ltd., Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., Covestro AG
Customization Scope	15% free report customization with purchase
Pricing and Purchase Options	Avail the customized purchase options to fulfill your precise research needs
Delivery Format	PDF and Excel through email (subject to the license purchased)

In the report, the global automotive elastomers market has been segmented into the following categories:

 

By Elastomer Type

• Thermoset
• Thermoplastic

By Application

• Interior
• Exterior

By Vehicle Type

• Passenger Cars
• Light Commercial Vehicles
• Heavy Commercial Vehicles

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East and Africa

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

The leading player landscape of the automotive elastomers industry is characterized by continuous innovation, new product development, strategic collaborations, and a strong focus on sustainable solutions. Major players are investing heavily in research and development to create advanced elastomer compounds that meet the evolving demands of the automotive sector, particularly for electric vehicles and lightweight designs. Companies are also expanding their production capacities and geographical footprints to cater to the growing automotive markets in the Asia-Pacific and other emerging regions. The outlook remains positive, driven by the ongoing shift toward electric vehicles, the increasing adoption of lightweight materials, and stringent environmental regulations that push for more sustainable solutions. Long-term growth will depend on the ability of market participants to adapt to rapidly changing automotive technologies, address supply chain challenges, and continue innovating to offer high-performance and cost-effective elastomer solutions.

For instance, in May 2024, At Chinaplas 2024, Dow unveiled two strategic partnerships aimed at advancing sustainable materials solutions. In partnership with Sealed Air, Dow introduced e-commerce packaging incorporating increased recycled content using REVOLOOP™ post-consumer recycled (PCR) resins, thereby enhancing product protection and reducing carbon footprint. Additionally, Dow partnered with Changchun FAWSN Automotive Technology Research and Development Co., Ltd. to explore applications of polyolefin elastomer (POE) artificial leather and POE-based 3D Loop solutions in the automotive industry. POE artificial leather offers a 25% to 40% reduction in weight compared to PVC leather, providing performance benefits without the use of hazardous materials. These initiatives underscore Dow's commitment to circularity and low-carbon solutions in the Asia Pacific region.

Key Players Operating in the Global Automotive Elastomers Market are:

• BASF SE
• The Dow Chemical Company
• ExxonMobil Corporation
• Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC)
• JSR Corporation
• ARLANXEO
• Kraton Corporation
• LG Chem, Ltd.
• Lotte Versalis Elastomers Co. Ltd.
• Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
• Covestro AG

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