1. | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY |
1.1. | Most common plastics used in passenger vehicles |
1.2. | Trends in automotive plastics |
1.3. | The need for sustainable polymers in automotive |
1.4. | Sustainable approaches to automotive polymer-based materials |
1.5. | Market drivers for sustainable polymers for automotive |
1.6. | Sustainability pledges: Sustainable plastic targets |
1.7. | Key regulations affecting automotive plastics |
1.8. | Circular economy for automotive polymers |
1.9. | Recycled plastic: Mechanical recyclate |
1.10. | Recycled plastic: Chemical recyclate |
1.11. | Which components can be replaced with recycled content? |
1.12. | Availability of mechanically and chemically recycled plastics by application |
1.13. | Current availability of recycled polymers |
1.14. | The recycled plastics supply chain for automotive applications |
1.15. | Challenges in the recycled plastics supply chain for automotive applications |
1.16. | Key tier 1 and OEM users of recycled plastic for automotive |
1.17. | Recycled plastic use remains limited in current automotive lineups |
1.18. | Bioplastics for automotive parts |
1.19. | Key targets for bioplastic replacements for automotive components |
1.20. | Availability of bioplastics for automotive applications |
1.21. | Bio-based polymers: Key material suppliers |
1.22. | Additional approaches to sustainable polymers in automotive |
1.23. | Sustainable automotive composites |
1.24. | Sustainable upholstery for automotive |
1.25. | Material comparison: Incumbents and emerging alternatives |
1.26. | Sustainable tires released by major tire manufacturers |
1.27. | End-of-life options for automotive plastics |
1.28. | End-of-life options for automotive plastics |
1.29. | End-of-life options for car tires |
1.30. | The future of automotive plastic content: Recycled plastic and bioplastics forecast 2025-2035 |
1.31. | Outlook for sustainable automotive plastics 2025-2035 |
1.32. | Company Profiles |
1.33. | IDTechEx sustainable polymers portfolio |
1.34. | Access More With an IDTechEx Subscription |
2. | INTRODUCTION |
2.1. | Areas of polymer use within vehicles |
2.2. | Polymers used in the automotive industry by application and properties |
2.3. | Selecting plastics for automotive applications |
2.4. | Most common plastics used in passenger vehicles |
2.5. | Other automotive plastics |
2.6. | Trends in automotive plastics |
2.7. | Trends in automotive elastomers |
2.8. | The shift to electric vehicles enhances the need for lightweight, long-lasting materials |
2.9. | Polymer-based materials as a percentage of vehicle weight |
2.10. | The use of all polymers is expected to increase through 2060 |
2.11. | Plastics use is expected to grow fastest in the automotive sector |
2.12. | Circular economy for automotive polymers |
2.13. | The need for sustainable polymers in automotive |
2.14. | CO2 emissions: Accounting for carbon emissions in the automotive industry |
2.15. | CO2 emissions: Automotive manufacturing emissions are slowly decreasing |
2.16. | CO2 emissions: Embodied carbon emissions for automotive plastics |
2.17. | Sustainable approaches to automotive polymer-based materials |
2.18. | Making the change: The requirements of automotive manufacturers |
2.19. | Scope of the report |
2.20. | Report scope continued |
3. | MARKET AND REGULATORY ANALYSIS |
3.1. | Market Drivers |
3.1.1. | Overview: Market drivers of sustainable polymers for automotive |
3.1.2. | Carbon taxes as a market driver |
3.1.3. | The impact of oil price on the adoption of sustainable polymers (US$) |
3.1.4. | Sustainability pledges: Sustainable plastic targets |
3.1.5. | OEM sustainability pledges: Carbon neutrality |
3.2. | Regulatory Landscape for Automotive Sustainability |
3.2.1. | Overview of key regulations affecting automotive plastics |
3.2.2. | Government incentives for the adoption of sustainable polymers |
3.2.3. | Government incentives for the adoption of sustainable polymers (2) |
3.2.4. | Regulatory landscape: Europe |
3.2.5. | Regulatory landscape: Europe (end-of-life vehicles) |
3.2.6. | Regulatory landscape: USA |
3.2.7. | Anticipating further legislative change for automotive plastics |
3.3. | Regulations Affecting Chemical Recycling and Impact on Recycled Plastics |
3.3.1. | Map of US regulations on chemical recycling and dissolution of plastic waste |
3.3.2. | State laws supporting advanced recycling of plastic waste - common features |
3.3.3. | State laws restricting advanced recycling of plastic waste - common types |
3.3.4. | Maine - legislation restricting pyrolysis, hydrothermal conversion, gasification of plastic waste |
3.3.5. | Summary of impact on the automotive industry |
4. | SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS FOR AUTOMOTIVE |
4.1.1. | Recycled Plastic for Automotive Components |
4.1.2. | Growing momentum for recycled plastics in automotive applications |
4.1.3. | Which components can be replaced with recycled content? |
4.1.4. | Availability of mechanically and chemically recycled plastics by application |
4.1.5. | Current availability of recycled polymers |
4.1.6. | Total installed plastics recycling input capacity by polymer type (Europe) |
4.1.7. | Composition of recycled plastic waste (USA) |
4.1.8. | Availability of recycled material is dependent on recycling technology |
4.1.9. | How will the availability of recycled plastic change? |
4.1.10. | How much recycled plastic is currently being used by manufacturers? |
4.1.11. | Recycled plastic usage by OEMs: General Motors Group |
4.1.12. | Recycled plastic use remains limited in current automotive lineups |
4.1.13. | SWOT analysis for recycled plastic for automotive |
4.1.14. | The recycled plastics supply chain for automotive applications |
4.1.15. | Challenges in the recycled plastics supply chain for automotive applications |
4.1.16. | Key Tier 3 and Tier 2 suppliers of recycled plastic for automotive |
4.1.17. | Tier 2 suppliers of recycled plastics |
4.1.18. | Tier 2 suppliers of recycled plastics (2) |
4.1.19. | Key tier 1 and OEM users of recycled plastic for automotive |
4.1.20. | Tier 1 recycled plastic product examples |
4.1.21. | Recycled plastic usage by OEMs |
4.1.22. | Recycled plastic usage by OEMs (2) |
4.1.23. | Automotive partnerships for recycled plastics |
4.1.24. | Mechanically Recycled Plastics for Automotive |
4.1.25. | Why mechanically recycled plastics are key to automotive sustainability |
4.1.26. | Recycled plastic: Mechanical recyclate |
4.1.27. | Challenges for mechanically-recycled plastics in automobiles |
4.1.28. | Comparing mechanically recycled plastics |
4.1.29. | How new technologies can improve mechanically recycled plastic products |
4.1.30. | Limitations of mechanically recycled plastic: Transparency |
4.1.31. | Industry needs to recover plastics to create circularity |
4.1.32. | Material suppliers: Key players in mechanical plastics recycling |
4.1.33. | Recent price of mechanically recycled polymers (Europe) |
4.1.34. | Trends in mechanically recycled polymer prices (Europe) |
4.1.35. | Trends in mechanically recycled polymer prices (North America) |
4.1.36. | Chemically Recycled Plastic for Automotive |
4.1.37. | What is Chemical Recycling? |
4.1.38. | Recycled plastic: Chemical recyclate |
4.1.39. | Recycling pathways: How recycled plastics re-enter the supply chain |
4.1.40. | Utilization of chemically recycled plastic for automotive |
4.1.41. | Key players in chemical plastics recycling |
4.1.42. | Partnerships between automotive manufacturers and chemical recyclers |
4.1.43. | Engagement with chemical recycling by the automotive industry |
4.1.44. | Engagement with chemical recycling by the automotive industry (2) |
4.1.45. | Engagement with chemical recycling by the automotive industry (3) |
4.1.46. | Chemical recycling for PC and PC-ABS blends |
4.1.47. | Opportunities for chemical recycling for automotive plastics |
4.1.48. | Challenges for chemical recycling for automotive plastics |
4.2. | Bioplastics for Automotive Components |
4.2.1. | Terminology: What are bioplastics? |
4.2.2. | Bioplastics in the circular economy |
4.2.3. | Key targets for bioplastic replacements for automotive components |
4.2.4. | Availability of bioplastics for automotive applications |
4.2.5. | Global bioplastics production as of 2025 |
4.2.6. | Bio-based polymers: Key companies |
4.2.7. | Range of bioplastic grades is growing but few designed specifically for automotive use |
4.2.8. | Introduction to bio-based polyamides for automotive |
4.2.9. | Bio-based monomer and polyamide suppliers |
4.2.10. | Range of available bio-based monomers and polyamides |
4.2.11. | Range of available bio-based monomers and polyamides |
4.2.12. | Uses of bioplastics in commercial automotive applications |
4.2.13. | Automotive companies exploring bioplastics by polymer |
4.2.14. | Partnerships developing bioplastics for automotive components |
4.2.15. | Case study: Durabio by Mitsubishi chemical used in Renault and Suzuki |
4.2.16. | Case study: Toyota and DuPont Sorona |
4.2.17. | Can bio-degradable polymers be used for automotive applications? |
4.2.18. | Can bio-degradable polymers be used for automotive applications? (2) |
4.2.19. | Challenges for automotive bioplastics: Cost and availability |
4.2.20. | The green premium |
4.2.21. | Challenges for automotive bioplastics: Regulations and scale-up |
4.2.22. | Challenges for automotive bioplastics: Supply chain challenges |
4.2.23. | OEMs and Tier 1 Supplier Dynamics |
4.2.24. | Comparing the costs of bioplastic production with recycled plastic |
4.2.25. | Comparing the costs of bioplastic production with recycled plastic (2) |
4.2.26. | SWOT analysis for bioplastics for automotive |
4.3. | Carbon Emissions and Plastic Choice |
4.3.1. | Evaluating the carbon emissions of plastic sources |
4.3.2. | Considerations for LCAs |
4.3.3. | LCAs investigating the environmental impact of using sustainable plastic |
4.3.4. | Assessing the carbon emissions of chemically recycled plastic |
4.3.5. | Assessing the carbon emissions of chemically recycled plastic (2) |
4.3.6. | Assessing the carbon emissions of chemically recycled plastic (3) |
4.3.7. | A more skeptical view on chemical recycling emissions |
5. | SUSTAINABLE COMPOSITES FOR AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS |
5.1. | Sustainable Automotive Composites Overview |
5.1.1. | Automotive composites |
5.1.2. | The importance of composites for vehicle weight reduction |
5.1.3. | Automotive composites overview |
5.2. | Recycled Carbon Fiber Composites for Automotive |
5.2.1. | Impact of recycling on composite performance |
5.2.2. | Case study: Producing recycled carbon fiber |
5.2.3. | Case study: Adoption of recycled carbon fiber (rCF) |
5.2.4. | SWOT analysis for recycled carbon fiber |
5.3. | Bio-based Composites for Automotive |
5.3.1. | Introduction to bio-composites |
5.3.2. | Advantages of using bio-composites for automotive applications |
5.3.3. | Challenges of using bio-composites for automotive applications |
5.3.4. | Bio-based fillers for automotive bio-composites |
5.3.5. | Pre-preg composites: Filler textiles |
5.3.6. | Pre-preg composites: Production process |
5.3.7. | Case study: Syensqo bio-based epoxy prepreg for automotive applications |
5.3.8. | Case study: Bio-derived resins with natural fibers |
5.3.9. | Case study: Flax-based bio-composites for automotive applications |
5.3.10. | Case study: Hemp fibers for bio-composites |
5.3.11. | Case study: Kenaf fibers in automotive composites |
5.3.12. | Case study: Natural fiber composites for exterior components |
5.3.13. | Improving mechanical properties of bio-composites with cellulose additives |
5.3.14. | Case study: Waste valorization for automotive composites |
5.3.15. | SWOT analysis for bio-based composites for automotive |
6. | SUSTAINABLE LEATHER AND UPHOLSTERY FOR AUTOMOTIVE |
6.1. | Sustainable Upholstery Overview |
6.1.1. | Introduction to sustainable upholstery for automotive |
6.1.2. | Introduction to sustainable upholstery (2) |
6.1.3. | Requirements for automotive leather |
6.2. | Incumbent Leather |
6.2.1. | Incumbent leather technologies |
6.2.2. | Animal leather overview |
6.2.3. | Plastic leather overview |
6.2.4. | Plastic leather overview - continued |
6.2.5. | Plastic leather in the automotive industry |
6.2.6. | Global plastic leather production |
6.2.7. | Company landscape for plastic leather producers |
6.3. | Sustainable Synthetic Leather |
6.3.1. | Case study: Ecorium by Forvia |
6.3.2. | Limited options for bio-based PU for leather |
6.3.3. | Kia - bio-PU leather and foams |
6.4. | Bio-based and Recycled Textiles |
6.4.1. | Case study: Polestar uses bio-based PVC for seat textiles |
6.4.2. | Textiles in automotive |
6.4.3. | Bio-based textiles introduction |
6.4.4. | Bio-based polyamides |
6.4.5. | Examples of chemically recycled textiles used in automotive applications |
6.4.6. | Sustainable seating by Forvia |
6.4.7. | Uses of recycled plastics for upholstery for automotive applications (1) |
6.4.8. | Uses of recycled plastics for upholstery for automotive applications (2) |
6.4.9. | Uses of bioplastic textiles for upholstery for automotive applications |
6.5. | Emerging Alternative Leathers |
6.5.1. | Introduction to emerging alternative leathers |
6.5.2. | How emerging alternative leathers could address sustainability |
6.5.3. | Technologies for emerging alternative leathers |
6.5.4. | Comparison of sustainable alternative leathers - production processes |
6.5.5. | Sustainable alternative leathers - company landscape |
6.5.6. | Plant-based leather - product description and commercial analysis |
6.5.7. | Plant-based leather - company landscape |
6.5.8. | Case study: Von Holzhausen collaboration with Cupra |
6.5.9. | Plant-based leather: SWOT analysis |
6.5.10. | Mycelium leather - product description and commercial analysis |
6.5.11. | Mycelium leather: SWOT analysis |
6.5.12. | Plant based leather: Price vs plastic content |
6.5.13. | Comparison of bio-based leather alternatives - physical properties and performance |
6.5.14. | Comparison of sustainable alternative leathers - price of commercial products |
6.5.15. | Case study: Volkswagen-Revoltech partnership |
6.5.16. | Material comparison: Incumbents and emerging alternatives |
6.5.17. | IDTechEx benchmarking of bio-based leather alternative technologies |
6.5.18. | Market leaders: Analysis |
6.5.19. | Market leaders: Analysis methodology |
6.5.20. | Market leaders: Detailed material properties by product |
6.5.21. | Market leaders: Detailed material properties by product |
6.5.22. | Outlook for emerging leathers in automotive |
6.5.23. | Outlook for emerging leathers in automotive (2) |
7. | SUSTAINABLE TIRES FOR AUTOMOTIVE |
7.1. | Automotive Tires Overview |
7.1.1. | Tire composition |
7.1.2. | Tire composition |
7.1.3. | The three aspects of tire sustainability |
7.1.4. | The Tire Industry Project (TIP) |
7.2. | Recycled and Bio-based Materials for Tires |
7.2.1. | Sustainable tires released by major tire manufacturers |
7.2.2. | Where is the recycled content coming from? |
7.2.3. | Where is the recycled content coming from? |
7.2.4. | Environmental benefits |
7.2.5. | Recovered carbon black |
7.2.6. | Recovered carbon black |
7.2.7. | Recovered carbon black |
7.2.8. | Challenges of using recycled carbon black in tires |
7.2.9. | Market information for recovered carbon black |
7.2.10. | Sustainable carbon black from pyrolysis |
7.2.11. | Elastomers used in tires |
7.2.12. | Sustainable approaches to sourcing elastomers for tires |
7.2.13. | Bio-based feedstocks for elastomers |
7.2.14. | Summary of challenges and opportunities for sustainable materials for tires |
7.2.15. | Bio-based rubber used in tires |
7.2.16. | Silica from rice husk ash (RHA) |
7.2.17. | Commercial RHA silica |
7.2.18. | Sustainable plastics for tires |
7.2.19. | Sustainable steel for use in tires |
7.2.20. | Sustainable steel for use in tires (2) |
7.2.21. | Sustainable additives for tires |
7.3. | Extending Tire Lifespan |
7.3.1. | Tire innovation targets longevity |
7.3.2. | Extending tire life through retreading |
7.3.3. | Tire retreading |
7.3.4. | Tire and road wear particles (TRWP) |
7.3.5. | Self-healing elastomers |
7.3.6. | Goodyear recharge concept tire |
8. | END-OF-LIFE FOR SUSTAINABLE POLYMER-BASED MATERIALS |
8.1. | End-of-Life for Sustainable Plastics |
8.1.1. | End-of-life: Considerations for auto manufacturers |
8.1.2. | End-of-life: Recycling |
8.1.3. | End-of-life: Industrial composting |
8.1.4. | The end-of-life options |
8.1.5. | Mono-material design for recyclability |
8.1.6. | Advantages and challenges of mono-material design |
8.1.7. | The end-of-life options: Mechanical recycling |
8.1.8. | The end-of-life options: Chemical recycling |
8.1.9. | The end-of-life options: Industrial composting |
8.1.10. | Automotive dismantlers and recyclers |
8.2. | Tire Recycling and End-of-Life |
8.2.1. | Technologies for tire recycling |
8.2.2. | Pyrolysis for tire recycling |
8.2.3. | Pyrolysis products: Recovered carbon black (rCB) |
8.2.4. | Pyrolysis products: Tire pyrolysis oil |
8.2.5. | Steel from recycled tires (tire derived steel) |
8.2.6. | Mechanical recycling of tires |
8.2.7. | Advantages and disadvantages of recycling methods |
8.2.8. | Advanced technologies for tire recycling |
8.2.9. | Key recent partnerships in tire recycling |
8.3. | End-of-life for Automotive Composites |
8.3.1. | Carbon fiber recycling |
8.3.2. | Recycling automotive composites |
8.3.3. | Improving the recyclability of carbon fiber composites |
8.3.4. | Carbon fiber recycling companies |
9. | FORECASTS |
9.1. | Automotive Plastic Forecast 2025-2035 |
9.2. | Automotive Plastic Forecast 2025-2035: Analysis |
9.3. | Automotive plastic forecast 2025-2035 |
9.4. | Recycled Plastic for Automotive Forecast 2025-2035 |
9.5. | Recycled Plastic for Automotive Forecast 2025-2035: Analysis |
9.6. | Bioplastics for Automotive Forecast 2025-2035 |
9.7. | Forecast of Global Production of key Automotive Bioplastics 2025-2035 |
9.8. | Bioplastics for Automotive Forecast 2025-2035 |
10. | COMPANY PROFILES |
10.1. | Aquafil |
10.2. | Auria Solutions |
10.3. | BASF |
10.4. | Bcomp |
10.5. | Prodrive |
10.6. | Tyromer |
10.7. | Forvia |
10.8. | Hexcel |
10.9. | CompOlive |
10.10. | Röchling Biobloom |
10.11. | Inovyn |
10.12. | Prisma Renewable Composites |
10.13. | Kia |
10.14. | Inteva Products |
10.15. | Seoyon E-Hwa |
10.16. | GRECO |
10.17. | Braskem |
10.18. | Borealis |
10.19. | Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation |
10.20. | Trinseo |
10.21. | UBQ Materials |
11. | APPENDIX |
11.1. | Tire recycling companies and plant capacities |
11.2. | Tire recycling companies and plant capacities |
11.3. | Tire recycling companies and plant capacities |