Car Air Purifier Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Technology Type (HEPA, Activated Carbon, Ionic Filter), By Sales Channel (OEM, Aftermarket), By Vehicle Type (Economical, Medium-Priced, Luxury), and Regional Forecast, 2022-2029

The global car air purifier market size was valued at USD 1.35 billion in 2021. The market is projected to grow from USD 1.42 billion in 2022 to USD 4.16 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 16.5% during the forecast period. The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with car air purifier experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. Based on our analysis, the global market exhibited a decline of 2.3% in 2020 as compared to 2019.

The global auto industry was hit by the major shock of COVID-19, which not only affected the vehicle air purifier market but also created a major economic setback in many economies. The global automotive market experienced a drop in the growth rate by more than 12% in year-on-year sales. This directly slowed down the car air purifier market growth during the pandemic. However, during the forecast period, the global market is expected to grow substantially at a higher CAGR with the overall global markets recovering post COVID-19 period.

Automotive air purifiers remove pollutants from the air in the micro-environment of the cabin and purify the air in the vehicle. They contain fans for circulating the air through the filters. Moreover, the latest purifiers capture odors, pathogens, and all microscopic pollutants with advanced air purifying technology to ensure pure airflow.

The market is driven by factors such as rising awareness regarding the harmful effects of traditional modes of transport and the increasing importance of a pollution-free healthy car atmosphere amongst customers. Moreover, more and more people are turning to healthier alternatives of everyday utility items and increased sales of vehicles with safety as the utmost priority in emerging countries are creating a great opportunity to boost the air purifiers market.

Auto manufacturers are installing vehicles with better air purifiers to improve air quality. Thus, during the forecast period, the sales of automobile air purifiers will grow at a substantial rate. However, the air purification system's high cost and ozone emissions limit the global market growth.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Auto Market Heavily Affected by COVID-19 is Evident from Manufacturing and Supply Chain Disruptions

The slowdown in the global automotive industry followed by the COVID-19 pandemic has hampered the already-hit car industry. In the post-COVID-19 era, this industry is now grappling with an unusual demand fright due to factors such as altered mobility inclinations and changes in buying habits and capacities of consumers and manufacturing disruptions and supply chain delays caused by the pandemic.

In addition, due to limited transportation activities and partial or complete lockdown policies imposed in many countries, demand from end-users has reduced across the globe. Moreover, owing to operations with limited workforce capacity and inadequate health safety measures, the overall production activities of key players have declined. Further, due to disruptions in the supply chain and logistics, retail and online sales came to a halt, and online channels were used only to deliver essential items. This scenario directly impacts the overall sales of the car air purifier during the pandemic. Although, the industry recovered far quicker than anticipated in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic has made many people more aware of air hygiene, maintaining the cleanliness of air for health, especially in closed, air-conditioned spaces such as homes and offices as well as public facilities and private and public vehicles.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant revenue prospects for air purifier manufacturers, with high-performance devices, including HEPA and activated carbon technology becoming increasingly popular to reduce viral propagation in confined settings. Premium, high-performance air purifiers can filter out particles as small as 1 micron, whereas the coronavirus is predicted to be roughly 1.2 microns in size. Several market players are expanding their manufacture of car air purifiers by incorporating various technologies such as High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, ionic filters, activated carbon purifiers, and photocatalytic purifiers. For instance, Jaguar Land Rover developed a new air purifier for its cars and claims it can kill almost 97% of the car's coronavirus, bacteria, and other germs. Jaguar Land Rover tied up with a microbiology and virology lab Perfectus Biomed to conduct the necessary tests. It helped the carmaker simulate a vehicle ventilation system in recirculation mode over a 30-minute cycle.

Furthermore, during the pandemic, manufacturers demonstrated confidence in their product capabilities by delivering a solution for various interior use, which will be expected to sustain demand in the near future.

LATEST TRENDS

Increasing Focus on Implementing Advanced Comfort and Safety Features to Set a Positive Trend for Market Growth

Automobile manufacturers are increasingly investing in designing and developing comfort and safety features, which is also a development trend in the automobile industry. Currently, most of the vehicles in the market are not equipped with air purifier systems. Therefore, this market will grow proportionally with the growth of the automobile market. Ultra-low Penetration Air (ULPA) filters can remove at least 99.99% of dust, pollen, bacteria, and airborne particles with a minimum particle penetration size of 100 nanometres (0.1 µm) from the air. Moreover, a ULPA filter can remove oil smoke, tobacco smoke, rosin smoke, smog, and insecticide dust to a large extent. Both HEPA and ULPA filters have similar designs, consisting of an enormous web of randomly arranged fibers. When air passes through this dense mesh, the solid particles stay back with the fibers and thus are eliminated from the air. Thus, the development of ULPA filters will set a positive trend for market growth.

DRIVING FACTORS

Rise in Air Pollution in Developed & Developing Countries to Drive Market Growth

Significant pollution levels in the atmosphere are rising as a result of industrial development. The increased usage of automobiles is also a significant contributor to the rise in pollution levels. As a result, the air quality index is deteriorating, producing health problems in many countries. Every year, 2.4 million people die as a result of air pollution, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). According to a survey by the Center for Science and Environment, air pollution is linked to 12.5% of all deaths in India. In India, polluted air kills 8.5 children out of 10,000.

Governments across the world are taking initiatives to reduce pollution levels. Auto manufacturers are contributing to this task by fitting vehicles with better air purifiers. Furthermore, various governments across the world are focused on limiting air pollution by enacting severe air quality regulations and standards. Also, several air pollution control initiatives carried out by governments and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) throughout the world are likely to promote market growth over the forecast period. Increased sale of vehicles in emerging countries is a crucial opportunity for this market.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Cost of Air Purification Systems is Limiting Market Growth

A major factor hindering the growth of this market is the high cost limiting product consumption. Though cost is not a restraining factor in the luxury car market segment, it substantially affects the economical and medium-priced car market segments. However, the cost of car air purifiers is expected to decrease in the coming years due to the higher adoption rate by vehicle manufacturers, with the number of suppliers for automakers rising in the recent past. In addition, fluctuations in automobile sales will always have an impact on its growth, which is another key restraint for market growth. This air purifier uses reusable containers or filters to collect impurities and will need to wipe them out on a regular basis. For instance, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an advisory that air purifier filters should be replaced every three-six months or so.

Many car air purifiers employ disposable or replaceable filters, which means they will have to spend between USD 30 to USD 50 on new filters every year. Thus, replacement & maintenance cost is limiting the growth of the market.

SEGMENTATION

By Technology Type Analysis

HEPA Segment Dominates Market Owing to Improved Filtering Quality, Reliability, and Cost Effectiveness

By technology type, the market is segmented into HEPA, activated carbon, and ionic filter. The HEPA segment currently holds the largest share in the market. It is anticipated to be the largest segment of the market during the forecast period. HEPA filters are made of very fine mesh with less than 1 micron (a micron is 0.00004 in, 0.001 mm) thickness. The superior quality and reliability of HEPA filters in removing airborne particles are projected to drive product adoption of car air purifiers. Moreover, these filters are more cost-effective compared to other filters, thereby fueling the market growth. The ionic filter segment will have a steady growth. The ionizer purifier shoots out negative ions into the air. These negative ions in the air cause the particles to stick to the surface of the plate. The limitation of ionic filters is that they fail to effectively clean the air of gas, smoke, and odors.

The activated carbon segment will exhibit the highest CAGR during the forecast period since activated carbon is more efficient than HEPA systems in automobiles in removing cabin air pollution. Activated carbon, the universal adsorbent, has a capacity for virtually all vapor contaminants and will adsorb and retain a wide variety of chemicals simultaneously. However, HEPA is more cost-effective than activated carbon and ionic filters; hence, it acquires a significant portion of the vehicle air purifier market share.

By Vehicle Type Analysis

Luxury Car Segment to Grow at the Highest CAGR Due to Significant Growth of Luxury Offerings in Vehicles and Shifting Consumer Preferences

By vehicle type, the market is segmented into economical, medium-priced, and luxury. The luxury segment is estimated to grow substantially with the highest CAGR during the projected time period. Numerous luxury offerings in vehicles, increasing disposable incomes of consumers, and shifting consumer preferences related to car features have been propelling the demand for luxury cars worldwide. However, an increase in custom duty is expected to hamper the luxury car market growth. Attributed to increasing demand for comfort & convenience features in vehicles, the medium-priced car segment is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment in the global market. The economical segment is anticipated to hold the largest share globally in terms of volume and value. The growing population, increased urbanization, and development in the economic conditions of several countries have actively encouraged consumers to own technologically advanced cars, which propelled the growth of the market in this segment.

By Sales Channels Analysis

Aftermarket Segment Dominated Global Market Due to Wide Presence of Distributors and Retailers

By sales channel, the market is segmented into OEM and aftermarket. The aftermarket segment currently holds the largest car air purifier market share. However, the OEM segment for air purifiers is estimated to be the fastest growing during the forecast period. Aftermarket business dominates the market due to the wide presence of distributors, retailers, and offline & online footprints across the world. The domestic players are also involved in the competition with new technology development to remain in the market and also to gain more profit margin. Players, such as Shenzhen Vamia Environmental Protection Co., Ltd., Jinpus, GermGuardian, Levoit, Soto, Mahle, Aokestone, and many others, offer their products in the aftermarket.

An increase in vehicle sales that have OEM fitted air purifiers is expected to create an opportunity for the OEM business in the coming years. Many players have already started adopting the trend of safety features equipped in a car, including air purifiers, owing to government mandates in some regions, considering environmental benefits and demand from consumers.

Furthermore, the adoption of advancements in car air purifiers from OEMs will eventually offer lucrative growth potential for the expansion of OEM-equipped car air purifiers in the forecast period.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Asia Pacific stood at USD 0.59 billion in 2021 and is projected to emerge as the fastest-growing region during the forecast period. It is expected to show dominance with the highest CAGR during the forecast period. China and India together accounts for more than 38% of the global population, which is a strong factor contributing to the growth of this region. Along with that, various favorable government initiatives implemented for the resurrection of the automobile industry in these regions are expected to propel the market growth. Moreover, high urbanization and smart cities are expected to accelerate market development.

Europe holds the second-largest position in the market, of which Germany ranks first in this regional market as major auto manufacturers are located here. Furthermore, increased production of vehicles and the adoption of advanced technologies will enhance the market growth in this region.

North America is anticipated to hold the third position in the global market. This can be attributed to the growing consumer demand for safety, and comfort features complemented with the increased sales of vehicles. The technologically developed infrastructure and technology giants also contribute significantly to the growth of the market in this region.

The rest of the world consists of Latin America, the Middle Eastern, and Africa. The Middle East is anticipated to be the major contributor to the growth of the global market. This can be attributed to government initiatives, which attracted opportunities in the automotive industry in the region along with the early adoption of advanced technologies.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Volvo’s Announcement of the First System to Assess PM 2.5 Air Quality Inside a Vehicle Cabin to Brighten its Market Prospects

Volvo Cars is a Swedish luxury automobile company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. It currently employs 40,000 employees globally and generated revenue of USD 30.24 billion in 2020.

In September 2020, Volvo's Advanced Air Cleaner system included a sensor that can measure levels of PM2.5. These particulates in a vehicle's cabin can cause various respiratory ailments. According to Volvo, it is the world’s first air purifier for production of cars. In China, drivers can compare air quality inside the vehicle to the outside environment as PM 2.5 measurements are regularly taken due to rampant air pollution. Drivers in some of the regions can also use the Volvo On Call smartphone app to initiate cleanings of the cabin air filter and monitor PM2.5 levels. According to Volvo, the ‘advanced air cleaner’ can clean out particulate matter and remove up to 95% of all PM2.5 particles using a synthetic fiber-based filter and ionization in the vehicle cabin.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Honeywell International (U.S.)


• Sharp Electronics Corporation (Japan)


• Panasonic Corporation (Japan)


• Eureka Forbes (India)


• Shenzhen Agcen Environmental Protection Tech Co (China)


• Koninklijke Philips NV (Netherlands)


• Airbus Electronic Technology Co Ltd (France)


• BlueAir (Romania)


• 3M (U.S.)


• Denso Corporation (Japan)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• June 2022: Hyundai announced the launch of its Venue facelift SUV. Only the top variant will get an air purifier in the vehicle cabin. This hints at the slowly growing adoption of air purifiers in the Indian market.


• June 2022: The 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift was relaunched as the Daihatsu Sirion in Indonesia. The new Sirion comes with a standard 4.2-inch multi-info instrument cluster display, a reverse camera, front parking sensors, and an air purifier system.


• June 2021: BlueAir launched the products Cabin P1 and P2i in-car air purifiers. BlueAir claimed that its air purifiers have been tested to remove more than 99% of fine particles and motor vehicle exhaust emissions and also have been tested to meet or exceed global standards.


• April 2021: Kronos Advanced Technologies Inc. announced the first generation of its limited-edition AirDoge air purifiers. Utilizing the most advanced air purification combined with disinfection technology, these purifiers eliminate more than 99.9% of infectious airborne viruses and bacteria.


• August 2020: The connectivity features on the SUV include Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, sunroof, air purifier, wireless phone charging, and UVO-connected car tech. The Sonet made its global debut in August 2020 and started selling from September 2020 in India.

REPORT COVERAGE

The market research report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on crucial aspects such as leading companies, product types, and leading product applications. In addition, the report offers insights into the car air purifier market trends and highlights vital industry developments. Further, the report encompasses several factors contributing to the market growth in recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation