Automotive Polymer Seals Market Report

Market Highlights

"The global automotive polymer seals market is estimated to grow at a healthy CAGR of 4.3% over the next five years to reach US$ 17.2 billion in 2026."

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A wide variety of materials are used for the construction of seals used across industries. The automotive industry is no different and relies on a large number of seals for performing necessary functions. The selection of sealing material depends on several parameters including but not limited to temperature resistance, effectiveness, lightweight, durability, strength, etc.

Polymer is the most preferred material used for seals. Polymer seals comprise two types of seals: Elastomer Seals and Thermoplastic Seals. Both seals have their advantages and are preferred to use based on the requirements of applications. In general, there is a paradigm shift from traditional seals (metal seals) to thermoplastic seals.  Polymer seals act as a mechanical barrier that protects articles from different kinds of leakages, scarping, and wear & tear.

The year 2018 and 2019 were challenging for the automotive industry stakeholders in the wake of the saturating demand in the developing economies. The pandemic further devastated the entire supply chain including the demand for automobiles. As a result the automotive polymer seals market recorded a massive decline of -16.9% in 2020, crushing the market to well below its 2015-market value. However, the long-term outlook still seems resilient with good growth opportunities across regions.

Segments' Analysis

Vehicle Trends

"The passenger car segment accounted for the largest market share."

The automotive polymer seals market is segmented into passenger cars, light commercial vehicles (LCVs), and Medium- & and heavy-duty Commercial vehicles (MHCVs). Seemingly, the passenger car is estimated to maintain its dominance in the market in the foreseeable future. Among all the applications across industries including aircraft, rail, marine, etc., passenger cars are the biggest demand generator for seals. It is also estimated that the passenger car segment will grow at the highest pace among all vehicles in the coming five years, creating gargantuan opportunities in years to come.

Application Trends

"Body structure segment accounted for the largest market share."

The market is segmented as Engine System, Transmission System, Brake & Suspension System, Body Structure, and Others. In this segment, body structure holds the market dominance, whereas transmission system is the fastest-growing application type. The engine is another promising application of seals with cylinder head gaskets and specialty gaskets are promising applications. The organic growth of the automotive industry coupled with a paradigm shift towards the use of lightweight seals is likely to drive the demand for polymer seals in all the major automotive applications.

Material Trends

"Elastomers segment accounted for the largest market share."

The market is segmented into elastomer seals and thermoplastic seals. Elastomers are the materials of choice for seals’ manufacturing; however, there has been a gradual shift toward the use of thermoplastic seals in challenging applications.  Thermoplastic seals are gaining ground in the wake of their greater mechanical performance and exceptional strength. Furthermore, these seals are extremely resilient and can be repeatedly stretched to at least twice their initial length with full rapid recovery. Major seals manufacturers have been focusing on the development of seals made from thermoplastics aiming to endure high heat and pressure.

Product Trends

"Profile seals segment accounted for the largest market share."

The market is segmented as O-rings, Gaskets, Profile Seals, Lip Seals, and Others. Profile seals are estimated to remain the most dominant product type in the market over the next five years. Automotive profile seals are used around the doors and windows of automobiles to keep the dust and water out of the vehicle. These seals need to be unaffected by climatic conditions and varying temperatures. Lip seals, another major segment, are likely to witness the highest growth in the coming five years.

Motion Trends

"Static seals segment accounted for the largest market share."

The market is segmented into static seals, linear seals, and rotary seals. Static is expected to remain the most dominant motion type for seals in the polymer category. Major seal types used in the automotive industry, such as o-rings and gaskets, are static. Static seals are used where two mating surfaces or edges require positive sealing and as the name suggests remain stationary and subjected to no movement and its related friction. The rotary shaft seal is used to exclude dirt, dust, water, or other particles while retaining lubricant in rotary shaft equipment.

Regional Insights

"Asia-Pacific accounted for the largest market share."

The market is segmented as North America (the USA, Canada, and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, the UK, Russia, and the Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Japan, and the Rest of Asia-Pacific), and Rest of the World (Brazil, Argentina, and Others). Asia-Pacific is expected to remain the largest market for automotive polymer seals during the forecast period. Most of the polymer seals suppliers have their presence in the region to address the emergent needs of OEMs and to be the partners for their upcoming automotive programs or upcoming fuel-efficient variants of existing automotive programs.

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Key Players

The market for automotive polymer seals is gradually moving towards the development of lightweight seals. Most of the major players are consequentially investing a big chunk of their revenues in R&D for the development of innovative solutions that better address market requirements. In addition to that, expansion in untapped markets and execution of mergers & acquisitions remain the key strategies on their priority list. The following are the key players in the automotive polymer seals market:

• Toyoda Gosai Co., Ltd.
• Cooper Standard Automotive Inc.
• Saint-Gobain
• Dana Incorporated
• AB SKF
• Freudenberg Group
• Trelleborg AB
• Elringklinger AG
• Flowserve Corporation
• Parker-Hannifin Corporation

Note: The above list does not necessarily include all the top players in the market.

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Report Features

This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market.

What Deliverables Will You Get in this Report?

The automotive polymer seals market is segmented into the following categories:

By Vehicle Type

• Passenger car
• Light Commercial Vehicle
• Medium- & Heavy-Duty Vehicle

By Application Type

• Engine System
• Transmission System
• Brake and Suspension System
• Body Structure
• Others

By Product Type

• O-rings
• Gaskets
• Profile Seals
• Lip Seals
• Others

By Motion Type

• Static Seals
• Linear Seals
• Rotary Seals
• Others

By Material Type

• Elastomer Seals
• Thermoplastic Seals

By region

• North America (Country Analysis: The USA, Canada, and Mexico)
• Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, the UK, Russia, and Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan, China, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)
• Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Others)

Research Methodology

This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s automotive polymer seals market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period of 2021 to 2026. After a continuous interest in our automotive seals market report from the industry stakeholders, we have tried to further accentuate our research scope to the automotive polymer seals market to provide the most crystal-clear picture of the market. The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for the market participants as well as investors in the identification of the low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as to formulate the growth strategies to expedite their growth process.

This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with Stratview Research’s internal database and statistical tools. More than 1000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data. We conducted more than 15 detailed primary interviews with the market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.

Customization Options

With this detailed report, Stratview Research offers one of the following free customization options to our respectable clients:

Company Profiling

• Detailed profiling of additional market players (up to three players)
• SWOT analysis of key players (up to three players)

Competitive Benchmarking

• Benchmarking of key players on the following parameters: Product portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances

Custom Research: Stratview research offers custom research services across the sectors. In case of any custom research requirement related to market assessment, competitive benchmarking, sourcing and procurement, target screening, and others, please send your inquiry to sales@stratviewresearch.com