Middle East and Africa Automotive Composites Market Outlook (2021-2031)

The Middle East and Africa Automotive Composites Market is projected to reach USD 964.71 million by 2031, up from USD 492.16 million in 2024. The market is expected to record a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5% from 2025 to 2031.

Executive Summary and Market Analysis:

According to Fastener World Inc., the automotive industries in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel experienced sales growth of over 20% in the Middle East. In Africa, despite being a smaller market, automotive production surpassed one million units, recording a year-on-year growth of 15% in 2023. South Africa and Morocco are the leading automobile producers in the region, with production figures of over 600,000 and 500,000 vehicles, respectively, in 2023. Additionally, Turkey experienced significant sales growth of over 55%, reaching nearly 1.3 million units. As a result, the increasing vehicle sales in the Middle East and Africa are expected to drive demand for automotive elastomers in the coming years.

Market Segmentation Analysis:

Key segments contributing to the Middle East and Africa automotive composites market analysis include product type, resin type, technology, vehicle type, and application.

Fiber Type: The automotive composites market is divided into glass fiber composites, carbon fiber composites, and others. The glass fiber composites segment held the largest market share in 2024.

Resin Type: The market is categorized into thermoset and thermoplastic resins, with thermoplastics accounting for the largest share in 2024.

Technology: Segments include pultrusion, injection molding, compression molding, and others. Injection molding dominated this segment in 2024.

Vehicle Type: The market segments into passenger cars, commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, and others, with passenger cars taking the largest share in 2024.

Application: The market includes structural assembly, powertrain components, interior, and exterior applications, with the interior segment holding the largest share in 2024.

Market Outlook:

Elastomers are utilized in various vehicle components, including interior parts such as seats, doors, and airbags, as well as exterior components like front-end body panels and under-hood applications. These materials are essential for vehicles to withstand extreme temperatures and function effectively in harsh desert climates. The rising automotive sales in the Middle East and Africa are creating significant demand for elastomers. For instance, Renault Group Morocco announced that its factories in Tangier and Casablanca produced 50,000 vehicles in 2022, reflecting a 15.3% increase over 2021 production figures. The Middle East and Africa market is evolving due to rising passenger vehicle production, population growth, and increasing middle-class incomes.

According to the International Trade Administration, total vehicle production in South Africa rose from 446,210 units in 2020 to 510,000 units in 2022. In 2021, South Africa launched the South Africa Automotive Masterplan (SAAM) 2021–2035, which aims to manufacture 1.4 million vehicles annually by 2035, representing 1% of global vehicle production. The country’s seven original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) invested approximately USD 460 million in 2021. With a well-established automotive sector that includes major global automakers, South Africa is shifting towards electric vehicles (EVs), thus enhancing the use of lightweight materials. As the market for environmentally friendly vehicles expands, South Africa's automotive composites industry is expected to grow, catering to both domestic and export demand.

Country Insights:

The Middle East and Africa automotive composites market is further segmented into South Africa, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkiye, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Bahrain, Oman, Nigeria, Algeria, and the rest of the Middle East and Africa. Turkey held a significant market share in 2024.

The automotive composites market in Turkiye is growing, driven by a robust manufacturing sector and increasing demand for lightweight, fuel-efficient vehicles. Composites such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, and natural fibers are being increasingly adopted to enhance vehicle performance, reduce emissions, and improve fuel economy. Turkey’s focus on sustainability and environmental regulation is accelerating the shift towards EVs and the use of lightweight materials to improve battery range and overall efficiency. With ongoing investments in automotive research and development, Turkey's automotive composites market is poised for expansion, supporting both domestic production and export opportunities.

Company Profiles:

Key players in the Middle East and Africa automotive composites market include Gurit Holding AG, Hexcel Corp, Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp, SGL Carbon SE, Solvay SA, Teijin Ltd, and DuPont de Nemours. Show more