Automotive Fabrics: Expanding Opportunities in the Vehicles of Tomorrow

November 2012 | 20 pages | ID: A373F813D9CEN
Textiles Intelligence Ltd

Abstracts

The use of fabrics in cars, particularly nonwovens, has been increasing as part of a move towards lighter vehicles which consume less fuel. There has also been a gradual switch in many automotive applications towards the use of recycled materials, or those based on natural fibres, as a replacement for conventional synthetics. This report provides invaluable insight into the market for automotive interiors and textiles, including leading suppliers and their products. In particular, it examines the way consolidation in the global automotive supply chain has resulted in Tier 1 automotive interior companies taking control of their own fabric production by acquiring automotive textile companies. The report also highlights trends in car and light vehicle production, and the increasing use of recycled materials and natural fibres for many automotive applications. Furthermore, it includes detailed information on occupational restraint and safety systems -- a market which will see significant growth in the future as a result of new US legislation which will make the fitting of side-impact airbags mandatory on all vehicles in 2013. The report also features an outlook for the future for automotive fabrics, including an analysis of the growing opportunities for using nonwovens and other textiles in applications such as battery separators and polyurethane foam replacement, as well as in new heating and lighting materials.

Contents

SUMMARY

TRENDS IN CAR AND LIGHT VEHICLE PRODUCTION

MARKET FOR AUTOMOTIVE INTERIORS AND LEADING

SUPPLIERS

Leading suppliers
Johnson Controls Automotive Experience
Selected automotive fabric manufacturers acquired by leading automotive interior product
suppliers
Guilford Mills, USA
New Trend Group, China
Michel Thierry Group (MTG), France

AUTOMOTIVE TEXTILES

Flat-woven fabrics
Circular knitted fabrics
Warp knitted fabrics
Nonwovens
Visible or surface materials
Non-visible materials
RECYCLING

NATURAL FIBRES

FaserTec
NF EP
Wood-Stock
Ecobond

OCCUPATIONAL RESTRAINT AND SAFETY SYSTEMS: AIRBAGS AND SEATBELTS

Leading players
Seatbelts
Airbags
Market for airbags and seatbelts

FUTURE TRENDS

Battery separators made from nonwovens
Exterior components made from nonwovens
Polyurethane foam replacement in seating
Heating fabrics for seats and panels

List Of Tables

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Global production of light vehicles by country, 2011
Table 2: Global value of the markets for airbags and seatbelts, 2011 and 2014