Booming Market for Automobile Textiles: Forecasts for 2012

Automobiles teaming with the textile segment are positively predicted to be 'in the black'.

On an average, 165 tonnes of fabrics are used in car manufacturing process every year. The demand for comfort, concern for safety while driving, and an increasing focus towards reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have all augmented the usage of special textiles in automobiles, especially cars. In a mid sized car, 20 kg of textiles were used generally. With the increasing demand for sophistication, and a stringent want for using protective textiles, the use of textile materials for the same has currently become 26 kg, and is even predicted to increase by 35 kg by the end of 2020. Two thirds of the automotive textiles are used in trims, seat covers, roof, door liners, and carpets. Other fabric applications include tyres, hoses, safety belts, and air bags.

Global market for light vehicle production experienced a drastic fall, the highest hit in the last 30 years during 2008 and even deeper in 2009. Production of cars was 67.4 million in 2008, and fell to 58.6 million in 2009. Developed countries like North America, Japan, and Europe were mainly responsible for the fall. On the contrary, emerging economies like China and India saw a profitable market with production increasing by 50% and 17% respectively. Fluctuations in vehicle manufacturing affected the automotive textile market consequently.

Trends in the Automobile Fabric Segment:

Demand for Coated Fabrics:

Airbags, trims, and truck covers accounts for 28%, proving to be the largest share of the coated fabric demand. US demand for coated fabrics is anticipated to grow 2.1% on a year on year basis, and reach 655 million sq. yards by 2012. Sales for the same will rise 3.4% annually reaching $3 billion by 2012. Increased sales in this sector will stem from the automobile textile sector. Gains in the sale of automobiles will motivate the automotive textile market as well. While non-rubber coated fabrics will also have a good market, rubber coated fabric materials will be in high growth trajectory. Rubber coated fabrics used in automobiles are expected to post enormous gains by 2012.

Potential for Knitted & Woven Fabrics:

Knitted and woven fabrics will have a dominating share in the global automobile fabric arena, closely followed by composites, and non-woven. Circular knitted fabrics are used in the interiors of cars for seat covers, door panels, headliners, headrests, boot covers, sunroofs, and parcel shelves. Having the virtues of high flexibility, comfort while traveling, stretchability, and high-grade visual quality; these fabrics will have good potential. Woven fabrics will see a profitable market in the making of door panels, seat covers, side door paneling, and headrests.

Innovative Auto Fabrics:

New product innovations in auto fabrics sector will further augment its growth. The latest is the creative combination of seatbelts, and airbags. The belt cum air bag is made with round and smooth edges to give added comfort to its wearer. This process uses high volume production of cold gas inflator, making the seatbelt cum air bag to swell almost five times larger than the width of the normal seat belt. The swelling process is initiated through a deployment signal from a sensor system. This technique will minimize the extent of damage, as it distributes the force across the wearers body. The interior fabrics of the car are made with a special kind of micro fibre which is ultra light, flame proof, and is also resistant to abrasion. This is believed to be 100% eco friendly as well.

Lightweight Vehicles:

Lighter cars prove to be more economical, consumer less fuel, and also involve less manufacturing costs. As the concept benefits the manufacturer, consumers, and the environment application of natural fibre composites will have a rapid growth in the automobile fabric industry.

Automobile industry is expanding in a big way. Subsequently, the share of automotive fabrics is also rising. Manufacturers are currently standardizing their operations to customize the vehicles to satisfy legal requirements, as well as the preferences of their end users. Supplemented with modern technological advancements and a touch of eco concern, the industry will get ad added push in the forthcoming years, doubling its results, marking an exemplar change.