I. Introduction
In automotive manufacturing, the choice of interior materials is critical to the overall quality of the vehicle and the consumer experience. As an important part of the interior, the choice of material for automotive leather is not only about aesthetics and comfort, but also about cost-effectiveness and environmental friendliness. With the progress of science and technology and consumer demand, artificial leather because of its unique performance advantages, gradually become the mainstream choice of automotive leather.
2.artificial leather overview
Artificial leather, also known as synthetic leather, artificial leather or imitation leather, is a kind of synthetic material on textile cloth base or non-woven cloth base, used to make products similar to natural leather. Its main types include PVC leather, PU leather and microfibre synthetic leather, each of which has its own unique properties and application areas.
3.Main types and characteristics
PVC leather
Definition: PVC leather is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin, plasticiser and additives mixed and coated on the base cloth.
Characteristics: Wide range of applications, but poor thermal stability and light resistance, relatively short service life.
Application: Due to the lower cost, PVC leather is still used in automotive interiors, especially for seats, door panels and instrument panels.
PU leather
Definition: PU leather is polyurethane synthetic leather, made of polyurethane resin.
Characteristics: soft texture, strong resistance to bending, good abrasion resistance, long service life. It is environmentally friendly because it uses less additives in the production process and can be recycled.
Application: Widely used in automobile seats, high-grade furniture, clothing and other fields, because its performance is close to the real leather, the price is relatively affordable.
Microfibre synthetic leather
Definition: Microfibre synthetic leather is one of the main materials that can replace natural leather in the current market, which is made by using microfibre as the base cloth and combined with polyurethane coating.
Characteristics: Beautiful appearance, soft texture, strong abrasion resistance, cold resistance and pressure resistance. The touch feeling is very similar to natural leather, which is called super leather .
Application: Widely used in medium and high-grade car seats, sports equipment, footwear and other fields, because of its excellent performance, favoured by the market.
4.Market Status and Trends
According to the latest market report, the global automotive artificial leather market size is estimated at USD 3,039 million in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 3,657 million in 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.0%. Asia Pacific is the largest consuming region, holding approximately 60% of the global market. In terms of product type, PVC leather remains the largest segment, but PU leather and microfibre synthetic leather are gradually increasing their market share.
