Automotive
foams are polymer foams manufactured by combining two phases, gas phase and
solid phase to develop foams. This process results in development of foam
incorporated with either air bubbles or air tunnels which are either closed
cell structure or open cell structure. Foams with open cells are flexible while
foams with closed cells are rigid. Chemical or physical gas is used as a
blowing agent in the manufacturing of automotive foams. All the polymer foams
are produced using various methods such as extrusion, slab-stock and moulding.
Polymer foams are used in automotive industry, packaging industry,
construction, furniture and other industries. The major factors driving the
automotive foams market in North America are low density foam products, light
weight and cost effectiveness. Automotive foams are used as optimal insulators
with low heat transfer properties, flexibility and softness in automotive foams
provide extra comfort to the passengers, growing consumer preference for
polymer foams in vehicles and manufacturer’s approval towards automotive foam
products in commercial vehicle are the other factors driving the demand for
automotive foams.
According
to the study “North
America Automotive Foam Industry Situation and Prospects Research Report”,
North America is the leading consumer of automotive foams across the world due
to the rapid growth in the manufacture of heavy commercial vehicle and
passenger cars within the automotive industry. An automobile per household has
become a necessity and status symbol in the society due to modernization which
is driving the automobile market coupled with automotive foam market. Majority
of the polyurethane foams are used for seats in the automobiles due to their
excellent features such as ease of installation, minimal weight, fire
resistance, thermal resistance, and low cost.
North
America automotive foams market is segmented based on types such as
polyurethane, polyolefin, styrenic, polyvinyl chloride, phenolic, melamine,
starch foams, biodegradable foams and others. Automotive foams are utilized in
manufacturing industries such as instrument panels, seating, door panels,
headliners, water shields, gaskets, seals, Noise-Vibration and Harshness (NVH)
solutions and others. The leading players in North America automotive foams are
Armacell, BASF SE, Johnson Controls, Woodbridge Foam Corporation, The DOW
Chemical Company, Lear Corporation, Bridgestone Corporation, Recticel,
Vitafoam, Saint-Gobain and Rogers Corporation.
Polyurethane
foam materials provide insulating and adhesive characteristics along with
solvent, temperature, and water resistance, resulting in increasing demand by
the electronics industry. Major end-use industries in North America
polyurethane foam market are automotive and construction sectors. Polyurethane
foam materials are used by the U.S. Army to insulate their tents and wide array
of consumer products are manufactured to provide durability, comfort, light
weight at less cost. The aforementioned property in the polyurethane foam
material is a preferred option for many industries including automobile
industry. Demand for light-weight automobiles with fuel efficiency has led to
more utilization of polyurethane foam materials. The technological advancements
evolving in electronics and appliances industry has led to utilization of
polyurethane foam materials for encapsulate, seal, insulating the fragile
parts, pressure sensitive parts, small electronic components as well as
underwater cables.
Automotive
foams market faces few major market challenges such as waste disposal,
flammability, recyclability and adverse effects of blowing agents on the
environment which are directly hampering the growth of the market. Rapid
industrialization, economic progress, and increasing disposable income have fostered
the development of automotives, consumer goods, and electronics sectors that
demand for automotive foams in North America. There is a huge demand for
polyurethane foam compared to the other variants of foams and is expected to
remain on the top over the next few years.
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