malaysia has the 3rd largest automotive industry in the asean region and is a major exporter of both manufactured goods and automotive components. this has set the stage for a steadily growing plastic automotive industry in the country, where demand for both thermoplastic and thermoset materials is expected to surge in the next decade. currently, the malaysian automotive plastics market is driven by the growing demand in the auto parts sector. this is mainly due to the increasing popularity of lightweight vehicles such as hybrids and electric vehicles. automotive plastics help reduce the overall weight of the vehicle while maintaining high performance and reliability. there is also an increasing demand for plastics for aesthetic and comfort applications. this is due to the evermore sophisticated detailing found in modern vehicles. to support the automotive plastics industry, the government has introduced various policies and initiatives. this includes tax exemptions and subsidies for plastics manufacturers. additionally, various research and development (r&d) projects have been established to explore the potential of new plastics and their applications in vehicles. the government has also promoted collaboration between local manufacturers and foreign companies to help improve the quality and reliability of plastics used for automotive purposes. in terms of automotive plastics products, the most popular materials used in this sector are polypropylene, polyethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyamides, polyesters, and nylon. all of these materials offer good strength, durability, and chemical resistance. other advantages of using automotive plastics include their light weight, cost-effectiveness, and ability to conform to intricate designs. the automotive plastics market in malaysia is expected to grow rapidly in the years ahead. aside from the rising demand in the auto parts sector, government initiatives and collaborative efforts between local and foreign companies are likely to expand the market further. in particular, the increased popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles is seen as a major factor driving the market’s growth. with the malaysian government's continued commitment to promoting the industry, the country is expected to remain a hub of plastics manufacturing in the coming years.
