Automotive Tinting Film Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Vehicle (Passenger Cars, Light Commercial Vehicles, Heavy Commercial Vehicles), By Application (Windshield, and Windows), and Regional Forecast, 2020-2027

The global automotive tinting film market size was valued at USD 1,450.1 million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 1,679.2 million by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period.

Automotive tinting films are one of the simplest technologies installed in vehicles that add both styles as well as function. Thin coating of polymeric film is applied on the glass to get the desire look or function in the vehicle. Consumers usually prefer dark tinted films to enhance privacy experience but modern clear tinted films are equally capable of blocking and UV rays reduce and regulating temperature. It significantly reduces the risk of damage to the skin of occupants as well as increases the fuel and performance efficiency of the vehicle by blocking the harmful UV rays. Vehicles are installed with factory tint by the OEM manufacturers but the consumers can go for aftermarket tint for enhanced features and styling.

Automotive Tinting Film Market amid COVID-19 Pandemic

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the automotive tinting film industry is more evident. The business has been severely impacted as the manufacturing of certain plastic feedstocks as well as vehicles have significantly reduced. With the lockdown restrictions imposed across the globe, there has been a shortage of manpower which has halted major economic activities. Automotive production and sales have dipped to unprecedented levels can be anticipated, considering the uncertainty amongst consumers. For instance, in May 2020, UK car sales are down by 89%. In April these figures had tumbled to 97%, with around 20,000 vehicle deliveries. The UK automotive industry has witnessed 51.4% fewer sales in the first 5 months of 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019. One of the main reasons for low sales can be attributed to the majority of the working urban population working from their homes and reduction in traveling.

The COVID-19 outbreak has disrupted nearly every industry and the market is no exception to it. The automotive tinting film market is expected to contract by over 10% in 2020 and is expected to get stabilized by mid-2021. The Middle East & Africa is anticipated to be the worst hit as economic conditions worsen. Developed regions such as Europe and North America are also expected to incur significant losses in the business in 2020. In the worst-case scenario, the global tinting film sales for automotive is about to witness a steep drop of 15 or 20% due to the impending economic recession and business lost in 2020.

AUTOMOTIVE TINTING FILM MARKET TRENDS

Rising Adoption of Clear Ceramic Films To Augment Market Growth

The advancement in automotive tinting film has enabled consumers to have a wide range of product choices in terms of color, style, material, and others. As the name suggests, clear ceramic tinting films need not be dark but have performance in line with the dark films. It is almost an invisible film with high efficiency to block harmful UV rays and avoid heat build-up in vehicles. Manufacturers are using nanotechnology to create a high heat rejecting films and are offering a lifetime warranty to the customers. This has helped gain attraction to clear ceramic tinting films in recent years. Many consumers are turning to these films for a clearer window view and to abide by the regulations, as the amount of tinting or darkness of the films is subjected to various restrictions across different countries and regions. These restrictions have been imposed particularly to regulate and curb criminal and terrorist activities. For instance, in New Jersey, US, no tint is allowed on the windshield. Similarly, in India, the use of black tinted film is banned but consumers are allowed to use tinted glass with at least 70% visibility in the windshield and rear window.

AUTOMOTIVE TINTING FILM MARKET GROWTH FACTORS

Increasing on-road vehicle fleet to Fuel Demand for tinting films

Globally, automotive sales have soared in recent years until 2019 that sales took a significant drop by 5%. A slowdown is anticipated by the experts by 2021, but the COVID-19 outbreak accelerated the economic slowdown. However, the industry is expected to bounce back soon and there can be an unusual rise in private vehicle ownership as people are hesitant to share rides and use public transport due to fear of COVID-19 transmission. Moreover, increasing disposable income in developing countries across the globe especially in Asia-Pacific is expected to increase the number of vehicles on road during the forecast period which would indeed boost the sale of these tinting films.

Soaring atmospheric temperature is propelling the adoption of automotive tinting film

Soaring atmospheric temperatures have boosted the sales of these films across the globe. These films effectively prohibit the solar heat entering the vehicles. Though these films are banned in some countries, meager fines, especially in developing countries, encourage consumers to flout the regulations. Increased emissions have significantly contributed and accelerated global warming which has disrupted the seasonal cycles. Consumers today have to experience inhuman temperatures in some parts of the world in summer seasons. To ease the temperature inside the vehicle, consumers have started opting for aftermarket tint and with the surge in temperature levels; the demand for these films is poised to rise in the upcoming years. 

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Emerging Tinting technologies are likely to confine the Market Growth

Tinting technologies have rapidly changed in recent times. The emergence of smart windows (electro-chromatic technology) has been a breakthrough. The glass changes from clear to opaque with the application of electric current. This glass can be used to achieve privacy instantly without compromising with the regulations. Intelligent vehicle glass technology is one of the recent developments in the market. Photochromic glass is also making its way into the market. However, these technologies are relatively expensive and are feasible in high-end vehicles. Some of them are still in the development phase but with the advancement in technology, these are expected to get better and inexpensive which may confine the market in the long run.

AUTOMOTIVE TINTING FILM MARKET SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS

By Vehicle Analysis

Passenger cars to Garner highest share throughout the forecast

Globally, passenger vehicles account for the lion’s share in the market owing to its high fleet strength. This segment is undoubtedly anticipated to continue its dominance in the market as sales of passenger vehicles surpass others. Consumers tend to style and install tinting films in cars more than commercial vehicles as the risk of damage is more in commercial vehicles. However, this is not the case everywhere. In North America, the ownership and usage of light commercial vehicles (LCV) is more and people spend more on tinting of LCVs than on passenger cars. Moreover, the trend of modifying luxury cars is increasing and consumers are styling vehicles as per their requirements and tastes. This has indeed boosted the sales of these tinting films.

By Application Analysis

Windshield to remain prominent application segment amongst consumers

Rear windows and Windshields are commonly tinted in vehicles to avoid direct sunlight and privacy. The segment is likely to grow healthily over the foreseeable period owing to rising temperatures across the globe. Moreover, consumers go for bright tinting color films to enhance the looks of the vehicle and this trend has increased amongst youths and is expected to boost the sales in the coming years. However, tinting is not allowed for windshields in some countries and sub-regions due to law and order constraints.

REGIONAL AUTOMOTIVE TINTING FILM MARKET ANALYSIS

The market size in Asia-Pacific stood at USD 636.22 million in 2019 and accounted for just less than half of the global consumption. The dominance can be traced back to the high strength of on-road vehicle fleets in the region. Emerging and developing economies like China, India, and Thailand are poised to be the fastest-growing in the market and anticipated to present lucrative growth opportunities over the forecast period. The market in the North America region is dominated by the US. The US is in the vanguard of automotive tinting film and technologies. There are varying regulations on the use of these films in various parts of the country.

Europe is the fore-runner after Asia-Pacific in the market and accounts for around one-fourth of the global demand. Western European countries such as Germany, Italy, France, UK, and Spain are responsible for over half of the total European demand. Brazil & Mexico dominate the market in the Latin America region. The political and economic instability limits the adoption of this tinting film in developing countries of the region such as Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Colombia, and others. The Middle East and Africa are driven by countries like Turkey, Morocco, and South Africa. Relatively developed parts such as GCC countries generally import customized variants of the vehicles equipped with tinting films which results in low consumption and more aftermarket tint sales.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Strong Portfolio and distribution network has propelled 3M, SolarGard, Proview, Eastman, and others to lead the Global Market.

The market is highly fragmented due to the number of manufacturers functioning at global and regional levels. However, global titans such as 3M, SolarGard (Saint-Gobain), Eastman Chemical Company, Toray Plastics, and others account for a large automotive tinting film market share owing to high penetration in the market backed by a strong distribution network. These players are trendsetters and invest hefty amounts in developing new products for their customers which have earned them fame and strengthened their product portfolio. For instance, 3M offers automotive type of tinting films for various functions such as glare reduction, heat rejection, safety & security, stylish appearance, and sun protection.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED IN AUTOMOTIVE TINTING FILM MARKET:

• The 3M Company (US)


• Eastman Performance Films, LLC {LLUMAR} (US)


• Johnson Automotive Tinting Film, Inc. (US)


• Toray Plastics (America), Inc. (US)


• Solar Gard (Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation) (US)


• Madico Inc. (US)


• Avery Dennison Corporation (US)


• Garware Suncontrol (India)


• ZEOfilms (China)


• American Standard Automotive Tinting Film (US)


• Other Players

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• August 2019 – Madico Inc., a US-based manufacturer of window tinting film, successfully acquired two Canadian distributors of window films to create a new entity Madico Canada. The company is set to operate both the distribution sites of Oakville, Ontario, and British Columbia to serve the local markets. This has strengthened the company’s position in North America.


• January 2020 – SolarGard, one of the key players in automotive tinting film headquartered in the US, announced an Asian automotive distribution partnership under the brand name of ShengJia. The partnership is set to strengthen the company’s hold over the Asian Automotive Industry.

REPORT COVERAGE

The automotive tinting film market research report provides detailed industry analysis and focuses on key aspects such as leading companies, product types, and leading applications of the product. Besides this, the report offers insights to drive the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the aforementioned factors, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market in recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation