Automotive Engine Air Filter Market

Rise in Passenger Transportation Fuels Automotive Engine Air Filter Demand

The Automotive Engine Air Filter Market is valued at USD 12.9 Bn in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 19.1 Bn,  growing at a CAGR of 6% by 2033.Filters have been an integral part of vehicles and a major determinant of smooth operation with better efficacy, and minimum vehicle maintenance. Filtration constrains the admission of impurities in the critical vehicle components, and cabin, thus warranting smooth and reliable operations. The automotive industry witnessed considerable growth during 2013-2018, recording an average growth rate of nearly 3-4%. The industry however has been grappling with plummeted demand over the past couple of years owing to a multitude of factors that govern the market development.

Rising environmental concerns, coupled with growing stringency of emission regulations, are primarily underpinning the demand for efficient automotive engine air filters. The US market, after registering revenues worth US$ 513.2 Mn in 2018, continues to progress on account of the soaring passenger transportation that drives the demand for automotive filters. Improved air intake quality in automobile engines and cabins to enhance passenger comfort is also garnering greater interest recently, which is expected to drive the growth of the automotive engine filter market.

Favourable Regulatory Structure Supports Market Growth

As per the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the US transportation sector alone is the second-largest energy consumer. About 80% of the energy consumed by the transportation sector comes from gasoline. It is quite evident that the transportation sector represents a substantial share of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To curb the vehicular pollution, federal agencies have deployed stringent emission norms such as the Clean Air Act. Since 1970, the Clean Air Act has been monitoring harmful vehicle emissions. Engine air filters turn out to be vital in filtering out impurities and assisting with smooth vehicle operation, thereby minimising the amount of carbon released during exhaust gas emissions. Roughly nine out of ten people inhale unhealthy air. Approximately 4.2 Mn deaths occur due to exposure to air pollution. Nearly 91% of total world’s population reside in the urban & suburb areas, where the quality of air exceeds the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Air pollution is expected to be one of the biggest environmental risks. Rising health concerns due to air pollution have urged the automobile engineers to develop sustainable and reliable filters.

Technologically advanced activated charcoal cabin filters block pollen, dust, and other harmful pollutants, including odour, and fumes. Likewise, regulatory policies have compelled automakers to emphasize fuel efficiency, and reduced emissions. This, in turn, is predicted to augment the demand for filtration components demand. Emission regulations such as Clean Air Act, Euro 6, BS 6, and test methods like worldwide harmonized light-duty vehicles test procedure (WLTP) and real driving emissions (RDE) are sculpting the automotive industry. These norms regulate the air pollutants released from stationary, and mobile sources. Consistent refinement of these strict norms shall monitor the vehicle emission levels with reduced carbon ceiling cap. This is likely to compel automakers and consumers to frequently check their vehicle filters and replace them in order to comply with regulatory policies.

Asian Automotive Industry Spearheads Global Market for Automotive Engine Filter

Asia Pacific has been coming to the fore as the leading automotive hub on account of the rising demand for vehicles in the region, coupled with increasing spending capacity. With well-established networks of suppliers, China continues to dominate the aftermarket sales. Besides, Japan, South Korea, and India also heavily contribute towards the region’s strong foothold in the global automotive industry.

Strong presence of some of the world’s major automakers in the European region is aiding in the solidification of the region’s second position in the global automotive engine filter market. Sophisticated, and uninterrupted supply chain strategies have been influential in Europe’s strong position.  Major manufacturers have established their manufacturing bases in fast-developing Asian countries to leverage the advantage of low labour costs, better raw material availability, conducive government policies, and rising demand for food production in the region.

Paper-based Engine Air Filters Entailing Unmatched Cost Efficacy and Better Filtering Properties

Paper-based engine air filters, highly efficient and cost-effective, are mostly prominent in entry level vehicles. The increasing volume share of entry level vehicles in developing and economically underdeveloped countries will create multiple growth opportunities in the automotive engine filter market over the forecast tenure. Foam, cotton gauge, and other material types find higher demand in mid and premium segment vehicles. Nevertheless, paper-based engine air filters are witnessing measurable preference even in the mid segment vehicles.

Rise in particulate matter, and harmful emissions, coupled with increased respiratory disorders, especially in urban areas, have been complementing the market growth through generating higher demand for new air filtration products. The emphasis on the development of high-performance luxury vehicles is likely to provide immense growth for the new filtration techniques. The integration of complex systems is aimed towards weight minimisation, and fuel efficiency enhancement. Burgeoning demand for OE and aftermarket sales on the back of rising spending capacity of the population in some of the fast-developing countries continue to bolster the growth of the automotive engine air filter market.

New Technology Developments Trending Competition Landscape of Automotive Engine Filter Market

Market leaders are focused on new product developments. New filtration technologies with superior particulate capturing abilities are garnering interest of manufacturers as they account for enhanced engine performance. Particle removing, dirt holding, and air flow controlling will remain the key focal areas for companies splurging their R&D and capital expenditures. A Nano-fibrea type filtration technique is also surging as a result of the improvisation in filtration efficiency. Some of the key players in the global automotive engine filter market include 

• 3M Company
• Donaldson Company, Inc.
• Mann+Hummel GmbH
• Ahlstrom-Munksjö
• Mahle GmbH
• FRAM (Federal- Mogul / Tenneco)
• Bosch (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• DENSO Corporation
• Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
• Cummins Filtration (Cummins Inc.)
• WIX Filters (Affinia Group / Parker Hannifin)
• BOSCH Automotive Aftermarket (distinct aftermarket branding)
• Purolator Filters (Nordic Group)
• K&N Engineering, Inc.
• GUD Holdings Ltd.

Global Automotive Engine Air Filter Market Segmentation

By Vehicle Type

• Passenger Cars
• Light Commercial Vehicles
• Heavy Commercial Vehicles

By Product Type

• Air Intake Filters
• Cabin Air Filters

By End-User

• OEM
• Aftermarket

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa