Agents or substances capable of blocking or reducing the noise, vibrations, and harshness (NVH) originating from automobile parts, such as brake and accelerator pedals, engine boxes, armrests, and steering wheels, are known as automotive NVH materials. NVH is usually sensed at the engine box, steering wheel, armrests, pedals, and floor of the vehicle. At present, bio-based-polyurethane is gaining traction as an NVH material due to the surging focus of the automobile industry on pollution control and environment preservation.

The adoption of NVH materials in automobiles helps in reducing the overall vehicle weight, owing to which a surge in lightweight vehicle production and adoption will drive the automotive NVH materials market at a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period (2018–2023). The market was valued at $7,579.8 million in 2017, and it is expected to generate $11,467.5 million revenue by 2023. As lightweight vehicles help in reducing emissions, conserving energy, and decreasing wear and tear on brakes and tires, automakers across the world are using NVH materials in abundance.

Currently, NVH material manufacturers, such as Exxon Mobil Corporation, DowDuPont Inc., Sumitomo Chemical Company Ltd., Borgers SE & Co. KGaA, BASF SE, Huntsman Corporation, Mitsui Chemicals Inc., Covestro AG, Lanxess AG, and 3M Company, are providing rubber, cork, felt, foam, metal sheets, resins, fiberglass, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to automakers. The automobile industry prefers rubber over other NVH materials as it exhibits vibration damping and noise absorption properties owing to its high consistency and density.

The application segment of the automotive NVH materials market is classified into insulation, vibration damping, and sound absorption. Under this segment, the sound absorption category is expected to demonstrate the fastest growth throughout the forecast period due to the soaring number of complaints of unwanted noise from vehicle parts. For instance, according to the European Union (EU), approximately 40% of the EU populace is exposed to road traffic noise at levels exceeding 55 decibels.

In contemporary times, automakers have been integrating the highest volume of NVH materials in passenger cars due to the increasing compliance with the stringent vehicle safety regulations. Governments across the world are implementing strict laws to develop safer and quieter cars. Thus, the burgeoning demand for passenger cars will augment the usage of such substances globally. Additionally, automobile manufacturers incorporate such materials in heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs) and light commercial vehicles (LCVs).

According to P&S Intelligence, Asia-Pacific (APAC) dominated the automotive NVH materials market during the historical period (2013–2017) owing to the rising automobile production and sale in developing countries, such as China and India. Whereas, North America held the second position in the market in 2017 owing to the soaring disposable income of people and mounting investments being made in the automotive sector of the region. Automobile manufacturers in this region are largely focusing on improving the overall ride quality and reducing NVH.

Therefore, the booming demand for lightweight vehicles and rising focus of automakers on reducing cabin sounds, engine vibrations, and suspension feedback of vehicles will create a huge requirement for NVH materials.