Automotive silicone is a heat resistant rubber-like polymer used in manufacturing lubricants, adhesives, thermal & electrical insulation, and sealants. Its characteristics include strength, durability, and resistance to chemicals, abrasions, and ultraviolet making it a leading choice for the automotive industry.
Interior and Exterior Segment to Contribute Substantial Demand to the Market
The major application variants in the market include engine and drive train (EDT) systems, interior and exterior, suspension system, electrical system, and others. Among these, interior and exterior and EDT systems are the foremost applications of the product.
The interior and exterior parts include numerous components, such as meters, tires, seat belts, seats, flooring, door panels, instrumental panels, and airbags. The product is extensively used in all these parts in the form of adhesive, rubber, coatings, and sealant. Properties such as flexibility in cold conditions, high-temperature resistance, better grip, and compatibility with dyes lead to its wider use in the industry.
Interior and exterior segment is followed by EDT systems. The capability to preserve rubber, leather, and plastics makes silicones appropriate for use in lubricants. The lubricants are used in several portions of EDT systems to remove squeaks caused by friction. Some other applications for EDT systems comprise of fuel pump seals and fuel injection, manifold gaskets, plugs and cables, and diaphragms. This product is resistant to high-temperature, making it ideal to use in EDT systems.
EDT systems are followed by electrical systems that are anticipated to observe the fastest growth over the projected period. Silicone has a good electrical conductivity that makes it a perfect material in the ignition cables and spark plug boots. Rising demand for electronic systems in automotive segment is projected to have an optimistic influence on the segment growth.
Market Insights
Companies are concentrating on new product development and R&D activities for the establishment of their market place. For example, in June 2018, Momentive Performance Materials, Inc. announced SilGrip PSA810 to its collection of pressure-sensitive adhesives.
Leading players operating in the automotive silicone market include Wacker Chemie AG, The Dow Chemical Company, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd, and Momentive Performance Materials. The leading companies are involved in partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, and joint ventures in order to boost the growth of the industry.
