Automotive Parts Zinc Die Casting Market

Market Overview

The global automotive parts zinc die casting market size was valued at USD 4.15 billion in 2023. It is estimated to reach USD 5.53 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 3.25% during the forecast period (2024–2032). The growing automotive industry primarily boosts the global automotive parts zinc die-casting market. Zinc die casting helps produce lightweight vehicles, and as lighter vehicles typically consume less fuel, it helps automakers comply with stringent standards, thereby driving global market growth. Moreover, technological advancements and innovation in the zinc die-casting production process will create market expansion opportunities.

Automotive parts zinc die casting is a manufacturing process where molten zinc is injected into a steel mold cavity under high pressure to produce intricate automotive components. This method offers exceptional precision, allowing for complex shapes and tight tolerances, making it ideal for producing parts like engine components, brackets, housings, and decorative trim. Zinc die casting offers several advantages, including excellent strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and thermal conductivity. Additionally, it enables cost-effective mass production with minimal post-processing requirements, reducing overall manufacturing expenses. The resulting parts exhibit high dimensional stability and surface finish quality, meeting the automotive industry's stringent performance and aesthetic requirements. Therefore, automotive parts zinc die casting is a reliable and efficient method for producing durable components contributing to modern vehicles' safety, functionality, and aesthetics.

Top 2 Key Highlights

• Vacuum die casting dominates the production process type segment
• Asia-Pacific contributed to the largest market share

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Growing Automotive Industry

The continuous expansion of the automotive industry acts as a primary driver for the automotive parts zinc die-casting market. According to Statista, approximately 94 million vehicles were manufactured globally in the year 2023. This figure represents a growth of approximately 10 percent compared to the previous year. China, Japan, and Germany are among the foremost manufacturers of cars and commercial vehicles. Therefore, the demand for automotive components, including those manufactured through zinc die casting, experiences a parallel surge. This growth is particularly evident in emerging economies, where increasing urbanization, rising disposable incomes and infrastructural developments fuel higher vehicle ownership rates. As automotive manufacturers strive to meet this escalating demand, the reliance on zinc die casting for its cost-effectiveness, dimensional accuracy, and high production rates intensifies, driving market growth.

Stringent Environmental Regulations

In recent years, there has been a need to enhance vehicle fuel efficiency and reduce emissions to meet the stringent regulatory emission standards. For instance, the European Union has implemented stringent regulations to reduce vehicle carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. These regulations set targets for average CO2 emissions for new cars sold within the EU. With stricter CO2 emission targets since 2020, the average CO2 emissions from all new passenger cars registered in Europe fell by 27% between 2019 and 2022, while the average emissions from new vans dropped by 10%.

Automakers are using lighter materials, like zinc, to build more components as they work to comply with strict environmental laws. Zinc die casting presents an appealing solution since it reduces weight significantly while maintaining the required strength and durability. This focus on lightweight aligns with sustainability goals and enhances overall vehicle performance, driving the adoption of zinc die-cast automotive parts.

Market Restraint

Material and Process Limitations 

Material and process limitations significantly restrain the automotive parts zinc die-casting market. While zinc die casting offers advantages like precision and cost-efficiency, it may not meet the requirements for all automotive components. Certain parts demand materials with higher strength or specific properties that zinc alloys may not provide.

Moreover, the complexity of some automotive designs can exceed the capabilities of zinc die casting, leading to challenges in mold design and casting optimization. This limitation restricts the application of zinc die casting to simpler automotive parts and may drive manufacturers to explore alternative production methods for complex components. Balancing material properties, design intricacies, and production feasibility remains a critical challenge for expanding the scope of zinc die casting within the automotive industry. This is estimated to hinder market growth.

Market Opportunities

Technological Advancements 

The automotive parts zinc die casting market presents a ripe opportunity for technological advancements to revolutionize manufacturing processes and product quality. Innovations such as vacuum die casting, squeeze casting, and high-pressure die casting (HPDC) are reshaping the landscape by enhancing efficiency, precision, and sustainability. For instance, vacuum die casting reduces gas porosity and improves surface finish by removing air from the die cavity, resulting in higher-quality parts.

Similarly, squeeze casting combines elements of casting and forging to produce components with superior mechanical properties and reduced porosity. Moreover, HPDC enables the production of lightweight yet durable automotive parts with minimal defects and excellent dimensional accuracy. These advancements optimize production processes and align with industry trends toward lightweight, fuel efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Embracing such technologies can propel manufacturers ahead in the competitive market by offering innovative solutions that meet evolving consumer demands while enhancing cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global automotive parts zinc die casting market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. 

Asia-Pacific's automotive parts zinc die casting market share is expected to expand substantially during the forecast period. The Asia-Pacific region dominates the automotive parts zinc die-casting market, owing to the presence of major automotive manufacturing hubs such as China, Japan, and India. For instance, China is the world's largest producer of passenger automobiles, producing over 26 million vehicles in 2023. This accounts for about one-third of the global production of passenger vehicles. Moreover, governmental initiatives to curb pollution have led to the adoption of new stringent emission initiatives. For instance, in 2016, the Indian government declared its intention to bypass the Bharat Stage V emission regulations and instead implement the Bharat Stage VI emission standards by 2020. In 2020, the Supreme Court rendered a verdict prohibiting the sale and registration of automobiles adhering to BS-IV standards in the country starting from April 1, 2020. Therefore, enhanced emission standards are estimated to drive the automotive parts zinc die-casting market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Furthermore, the region houses well-established players in the zinc die-casting market. For instance, Aprisa manufactures high-quality zinc and aluminum alloy die-cast components for the automotive additive manufacturing industry. Aprisa, situated in the southern Taiwanese city of Tainan, endeavors to deliver superior die-casting services to consumers. As a comprehensive one-stop provider, Aprisa provides total solutions to clients, encompassing production and design, all based in Taiwan. Aprisa has been committed to enhancing its proficiency in tooling design and construction, die casting, precision machining, finishing, final assembly, and supplying die-casting parts since 1978. With over 40 years of experience, Aprisa caters to diverse markets, including automotive parts, OE/AM, scooter bike parts, mechanical industry, wind power/solar industry, golf/fitness equipment, internally related drone parts, household appliances, and garden industry. This is expected to boost the regional market expansion.

North America is a significant player in the Automotive Parts Zinc Die Casting Market, boasting a robust automotive manufacturing sector and a strong emphasis on technological innovation. With key players like the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the region benefits from a mature automotive industry infrastructure and a highly skilled workforce. Stringent environmental regulations and consumer preferences for fuel-efficient vehicles drive manufacturers to adopt advanced zinc die-casting processes that minimize emissions and waste. For instance, the CAFE standards are regulations in the United States aimed at improving the average fuel economy of light trucks (trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles) and cars sold in the country. These standards incentivize automakers to produce lighter vehicles by imposing fuel economy targets that must be met across their fleet.

Furthermore, the key players in the zinc die-casting market are involved in several strategic initiatives like collaborations, mergers and acquisitions, expansion, etc. For instance, in November 2023, NSI acquired Cast Products Inc., a prominent producer of zinc die-casting products in Norridge, Illinois. CPI was established 57 years ago, and it specializes in producing large quantities of engineered zinc die-cast parts and continuously advancing die-casting machine technology, tool manufacturing, and secondary processing. As a result, these initiatives are estimated to drive the North American automotive parts zinc die-casting market.

Segmental Analysis

The global automotive parts zinc die casting market is bifurcated into production process types and applications.

Based on production process type, the global automotive parts zinc die casting market is segmented into pressure die casting, vacuum die casting, and other production process types. 

The vacuum die-casting segment dominates the global market. Vacuum die casting is a specialized manufacturing process that produces high-quality, intricate metal parts with minimal defects. It involves injecting molten metal into a mold under vacuum conditions, where air and gas are removed. This vacuum environment helps to prevent porosity and gas entrapment, resulting in improved mechanical properties and surface finish of the cast parts. By eliminating gas pockets, vacuum die casting reduces the risk of defects such as air bubbles, shrinkage, and inclusions, enhancing the final product's structural integrity and overall quality.

Moreover, the vacuum process allows for better control over the casting temperature and solidification rate, producing complex shapes and thin-walled components with precise dimensional accuracy. Vacuum die casting finds applications in various industries requiring high-performance metal parts, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, and medical devices.

Based on the application, the global automotive parts zinc die-casting market is bifurcated into body assemblies, engine parts, transmission parts, and others. 

Zinc die casting plays a crucial role in engine components. Zinc's high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and dimensional accuracy make it ideal for manufacturing engine parts. Components like intake manifolds, valve covers, thermostat housings, and various brackets benefit from zinc die casting because they produce intricate shapes with tight tolerances. In engine applications, zinc die-cast parts contribute to enhancing performance and reliability. Their lightweight nature helps reduce overall vehicle weight, improve fuel efficiency, and optimize engine dynamics. Zinc's thermal conductivity aids in efficient heat dissipation, ensuring proper engine temperature regulation. Moreover, zinc die casting offers cost-effectiveness, allowing for mass production of complex engine parts at competitive prices. Thus, using automotive parts zinc die casting in engine components ensures durability, functionality, and performance, making it a preferred choice in modern automotive engineering.

Recent Developments

• February 2024- ADC Aerospace acquired Cast-Rite Corporation, a prominent manufacturer of complex and sophisticated turnkey die-cast parts used in crucial applications in various industries, including aerospace, defense, medical, automotive, and specialty industrial markets. Cast-Rite Corporation is a well-known company specializing in advanced die-casting and fabrication solutions.
• August 2023- Sandhar, a firm based in Gurgaon and a major provider of automotive locking and security systems, automotive vision systems, stampings, operator cabins, structural parts, zinc die casting, aluminum die casting, automotive optoelectronics, and polymers, established a new plant in Mysore.