Automotive Plastic Resins | Nexeo Plastics

Our solutions for thermoplastics in the mobility industry offer numerous benefits such as reducing vehicle weight, improving strength, and increasing fuel efficiencies. These solutions often serve as alternatives to rubber applications. At Nexeo Plastics, we specialize in providing a wide range of materials for various automotive applications, including exterior, interior, lighting, under-the-hood, cable and wiring jacketing, and vehicle systems.

To read more about our EV Automotive solutions, click here.

As a trusted expert in the automotive, mobility, and transportation space, we understand the importance of adhering to automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEM) safety, testing, and performance-based standards. Our team can help you find materials that meet sustainable, regulatory, and performance requirements, including the following:

Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) Standards
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Center for Automotive Lightweighting
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regulations

Whether it's material specification, part design, troubleshooting, production part approval process (PPAP) assistance, or manufacturing tests, we are here to tackle your material challenges.

Partner with Nexeo Plastics for comprehensive polymer solutions in the mobility industry, backed by our expertise, knowledge, and adherence to automotive standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Overview

Suppliers

Materials

How much plastic content is in a car and what are the most common plastic materials used in a vehicle?

The American Chemistry Council reports approx. 411 lbs of thermoplastic are used in a standard vehicle. The largest usage is Polypropylene based resin which is around 97 lbs per vehicle. The overall usage of plastic and composite materials is expected to continue to grow specifically to reduce weight and allow design solutions.

Why are plastics used in the Automotive industry?

Plastic materials play an important role for several reasons:

Weight savings vs. Steel and Aluminum.
Ability to manufacture and integrate complex design features.
Mechanical property performance.
Relatively low cost to manufacture.

Exterior

Overview

Suppliers

Materials

Thermoplastics used for exterior automotive applications must have some unique characteristics. Weatherability and UV resistance are two of the most important for both painted and non-painted components. The UV from the sun is detrimental to plastic parts over time. UV Resistant additives are added to the raw material as well as to color concentrates to prolong the degradation of the material. Painting parts not only color matches to the rest of the vehicle, the paint chemistry also protects the part from the UV light. The extreme temperature ranges that vehicles are exposed to require some applications to have cold temperature flexibility. Impact Modifiers are compounded into different resin families to improve the mechanical properties.

Top Suppliers in North America:

Top Suppliers in Europe:

What are some of the plastic materials for exterior application?

TPO (Front Fascia, Rear Fascia)
PMMA (B-Pillar, rear lid)
ASA (Grilles, Mirror housings)
PA6, PA66, PBT (Door Handles, ADAS Bracketry)

Automotive Exterior Parts Products Automotive Exterior Trim Products Automotive Bumper Products

Interior

Overview

Suppliers

Materials

The vehicles interior is comprised of both structural and cosmetic, highly haptic plastic components. The occupants are highly interactive with these materials. Structural sub systems for seating, door panels and center consoles require high stiffness and strength. These are typically glass and mineral filled Polypropylene and Polyamide compounds. The surfaces that the occupant interacts with are generally softer and provide a more comfortable feel. TPO’s, Polyurethanes, TPE’s and higher haptic materials are often used. Scratch and mar resistance as well as chemical resistance properties are important to maintain the interior over its life span. Ultraviolet resistant materials are also required to prevent fading and degradation of the interior components.

Top Suppliers in North America:

Top Suppliers in Europe:

What are some of the plastic materials for interior applications?

PP Compound (Bracketry, Glove box bin, Center console, Seat side trim)
ABS and PC/ABS (IP hard trim, Door trim, Center console trim)
TPV (Seals and gaskets, Mats, BSR)
PA6 (Structural parts, Seating, IP Structure, Pedals)

Automotive Interior Parts Products Automotive Interior Trim Products Automotive Instrument Panel Products Automotive Door Panel Products

Instrument Panel

Overview

Suppliers

Materials

Selecting thermoplastic compounds for automotive interiors requires careful consideration of key properties. PP compounds offer high flex modulus and impact resistance, ideal for bracketry and center consoles, while ABS and PC/ABS blends excel in impact resistance and surface tension for IP hard trims and door trims. TPV provides a soft durometer and chemical resistance, suitable for seals and mats, and PA6 offers superior mechanical properties and stability, making it ideal for structural parts and pedals. By prioritizing these characteristics, manufacturers ensure durability, functionality, and passenger satisfaction in automotive interiors.

Top Suppliers in North America:

Top Suppliers in Europe:

What are some of the plastic materials for the instrument panel?

PP Compounds
ABS and PC/ABS
TPV
PA6

Automotive Instrument Panel Products

Lighting

Overview

Suppliers

Materials

We offer a number of thermoplastics that provide excellent light transmission and transparency, heat resistance, shatter resistance, and the ability to be highly moldable for headlights and taillights.

Top Suppliers in North America:

What are some of the plastic materials for automotive lighting?

Automotive Lighting Products

Under the Hood

Overview

Suppliers

Materials

Our under-the-hood thermoplastics are designed to provide functionality in extreme temperature changes, durability, and resistance to chemicals. These materials can be used for applications such as air ducts and intakes, batteries, bumpers, cowl vents, engine covers, fans, fluid bottles/containers/reservoirs, HVAC equipment, plugs, shrouds, and more.

Top Suppliers in North America:

Top Suppliers in Europe:

What are the requirements for Under the Hood Plastic materials?

Under-the-hood applications typically require significantly higher heat-resistant materials.

Oil temperatures can run as hot as 260F (127C).
Coolant temperature can run as hot as 240F (116C)
Transmission temperature can run as hot as 225F (107C)

Thermoplastic materials in direct contact with the motor or fluids need to far withstand these continuous use temperatures.

Dimensional stability, Chemical resistance high flex modulus and hydrolysis resistance are other key factors for these components found under the hood.

What plastic materials are typically used in an ICE under the hood environment?

Engine covers and decorative shrouds: GF-PP, TF-PP, GFPA
Valve Covers, Intake manifolds: GFPA
Oil / Transmission pans: GFPA
Air mgmt.: GF-PP, TF-PP, TPV, PA
Surge Tanks/ Reservoirs: PP, PA

Automotive Under the Hood Products

Window Encapsulation

Overview

Suppliers

Materials

Selecting the right materials for window encapsulations necessitates careful consideration of key properties. Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) offer essential characteristics such as weatherability, UV resistance, soft durometer, and compression set resilience, making them ideal choices for seals and gaskets. These materials ensure optimal performance, durability, and protection against environmental factors, safeguarding vehicle interiors from the elements while providing reliable sealing solutions.

Top Suppliers in North America:

Top Suppliers in Europe:

What are some of the plastic materials for window encapsulation?

TPE
TPVs

Automotive Window Encapsulation Products