Automotive Shielding - Providing Protection with Profitability

Some lesser-known facts-

• Suffer severe engine damage as a result of engine overheating
• Engine damage can lead to head gasket failure
• Cylinder-head can wrap from excess heat
• The radiated energy of electromagnetic fields can upset or damage the vehicle's electronic systems, including the microprocessors that control important engine functions, such as the ignition control, the fuel injector, and the fuel-pump control.

The method to protect automotive components from damage due to overheating and electromagnetic interference (EMI) using heat-insulating materials as shields, is called automotive shielding.

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Need for automotive shielding

Modern Vehicles have inbuilt significant functions and related features such as GPS, infotainment systems, bluetooth, and electric vehicular and self-driving technology. These functionalities and the overall vehicle system are driven by the need to be protected from heat and electromagnetic radiation. Excessive heat generated by the engine and exhaust systems and radio frequency interference (RFI) can damage components and lead to electronic malfunctions in-vehicle equipment and affect mission-critical systems.

Hence, automotive shields are used to provide protection to the vehicle body and its integrated components for their efficient performance and optimum usage.

Types of automotive shielding

As related above, there are two types of automotive shielding, namely, heat shielding and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding.

Automotive Shielding Market Research Analysis

The Current and Estimated Market Size-

The global automotive shielding Market stood at ~USD 21.0 billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach ~USD 32.0 billion in 2035 expanding at a CAGR of 4% during the period of 2023 to 2033.

Opportunities Related to Automotive Shielding

• The increasing demand for electric and hybrid vehicles- As per a report around 26 % of new car sales globally are expected to be electric vehicles in 2030, and about 58 million new self-driving cars are projected to be added in the same year. More technically advanced cars mean more integrated components and hence more use of automotive shielding to protect them.
• Stringent emission control regulations- Governments of various countries of the world have emission standards for regulating pollutants released by automobiles. Since automotive shields reduce fuel consumption due to which they are in high demand.

Drawbacks Related to Automotive Shielding

• The pandemic and situation of general unrest in the world have caused supply chain disruption
• The high costs associated with the deployment of automotive shielding.
• Expenses related to the maintenance of automotive shields.

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Automotive Shielding Market-Regional Synopsis

Asia Pacific is the leading region with the maximum revenue share of the automotive shielding market. The region holds the biggest market for electric vehicles. The Asia-Pacific electric vehicle market stood at USD 230.69 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 865.42 billion by 2030 expanding at a CAGR of 19% during the current decade. Apart from that, these countries are also leading in the automobile manufacturing sector. India and China contribute to almost 60% of worldwide electric vehicle sales.

• China's EV production increased by 1.6 times in 2021 amounting to 3.5 million units in the year, making it the largest EV manufacturer.
• In India the total registered EV sales as of December 2022 was 103188 units and in January 2023, it amounted to 102459 units promoting the market for automotive PCBs.

Moreover, as of 2021, China has been dominating the Asia Pacific EMI Shielding Market, achieving a market value of ~ USD 962.2 million by 2028. The Indian and Japanese markets are expanding with a CAGR of 6.8% and 5.4% respectively, during the present decade.

The Prominent Players in the Automotive Shielding Industry are -

The major players operating in the market are Tenneco Inc., Liard Plc, Henkel, 3M, and Morgan Advanced Material

The Latest Development in the Field of Automotive Shielding are as follows-

• Tenneco's DRiV group’s leading brand Walker Emissions Control has introduced 36 new part numbers to offer increased coverage to over five million vehicles in operation (VIO). The new offerings include the following-

  1. 14 part numbers for Walker Quiet-Flow SS mufflers, that cover 47 applications

  2. A number of new pipe and resonator assemblies

• Henkel has launched new fire protection solutions - Loctite EA 9400 and Loctite FPC 5060 protective coating solutions for EV battery safety. These EV battery safety solutions can delay the spread of fire batteries and can hence provide the best possible safety in the case of accidents and fires.

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Conclusion

The automotive industry has seen an overhaul in the past two decades. Conventional car models have given way to EVs, hybrid, self-driving, and fully autonomous cars. Today with smart electronic devices becoming omnipresent, consumers look for smart features in the cars they buy. Modern-day cars are able to seamlessly integrate digital touchpoints and provide smart and convenient experiences while also improving safety and security features. The auto parts and technologically advanced features require protection from heat and electromagnetic radiation to maintain their efficiency. Hence, we can say that the industry for automotive shielding shows a lot of profit-making and growth prospects for its key players and investors.