Automotive Airbag Inflator Market Size - By Vehicle, By Inflator, By Airbag, By Propulsion, By Sales Channel, Analysis, Share, Growth Forecast, 2025 - 2034

Automotive Airbag Inflator Market Size

The global automotive airbag inflator market size was valued at USD 5.4 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3% between 2025 and 2034. The car manufacturing sector drive towards lower emission limits promotes the development of new lightweight airbag inflators that have an increased strength-to-weight ratio. These inflators are made from composites and aluminum alloys, guaranteeing that they are lightweight and appeal to the performance of the vehicle. In electric vehicles, lightweight inflators guarantee increased battery range, which is energy efficient.
 

According to estimates, as car makers move to comply with international emission limits, the market for lightweight safety components, including airbag inflators, will grow dramatically. This increase parallels the increasing demand for collaboration between airbag manufacturing and automotive OEMs in helping make a green, sustainable planet. According to the OICA’s data on motor vehicles, the automobile production industry experienced a growth of 10.3% between the years 2022 and 2023. This growth signifies the recovery of industry following the global pandemic, along with the demands and better production.

The changing dynamics of airbag inflators, which these innovative technologies have ushered in, include remarkable and timely inflator deployment during a crash. The real-time force detection and optimization of impact forces for various crash types using smart sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes have been made possible. By incorporating the integration of intelligent systems, such as those installed in airbag inflators, it becomes possible to alter the level of force exerted, which increases the rate of safety for occupants while ensuring injuries are cut to a minimum.
 

This new invention bears immense importance for the advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and connected cars, which are operating because of the power of data. The increasing investments in the automotive electronics domain and growing IoT-enabled safety systems catalyze the market as carmakers compete to roll out smarter and safer vehicles around the world.
 

Automotive Airbag Inflator Market Trends

Due to their increased safety in various crash scenarios, the use of multistage airbag inflators is becoming more widespread. These devices incorporate airbag deployment in several stages, depending on the occupant's weight, the number of people in the car, as well as the severity of the impact. Multistage inflators decrease the deployment force for minor collisions to limit damage and provide the greatest degree of protection during extreme impacts.
 

Automakers plans to modernize the vehicle safety systems, especially in the luxury and premium vehicle segments, are consistent with this trend. The trend is further accelerated by the increasing adoption of multistage inflators as a result of rising consumer awareness and advanced regulations promoting occupant safety and enhanced vehicle safety systems.
 

Increased spending on research, prototyping, and rigorous safety testing is needed to ensure compliance with global safety standards for technology advancing airbag inflators. The next-generation inflators with hybrid and multistage technologies pose a heavy financial burden on automobile manufacturers and suppliers. Furthermore, costs are driven up due to the need for testing inflators under a variety of potential crash scenarios to keep pace with the changing regulations.
 

These obstacles will put additional pressure on smaller and more price-sensitive market manufacturers and companies. Advanced airbag inflation technology is not widely adopted due to the high upfront costs and long validation periods. This limitation is likely to slow down technological development and impede growth in the market, especially in developing countries with price-sensitive customers.
 

Automotive Airbag Inflator Market Analysis

Based on vehicles, the market is segmented into passenger cars and commercial vehicle. In 2024, the passenger cars segment accounted for USD 3.6 billion and is expected to grow significantly over the forecast time frame.
 

• The passenger car segment in the automotive airbag inflator market is dominant due to the growing concern over occupant safety and legislation. Regulations by the government, including Euro NCAP, US FMVSS, and C-NCAP of China, are also urging manufacturers to fabricate vehicles with improved airbag systems.
   
• There has also been a rise in demand for safer passenger cars due to the growth in consumer awareness regarding vehicle safety and the increase in disposable incomes in developing countries.
   
• In order to comply with safety requirements while enhancing efficiency, automobile manufacturers are implementing new technologies like lightweight and multi-stage inflators for passenger cars. In addition, the rise in airbag demand also fosters this growth by the increase in passenger car production and sales globally.

Based on the distribution channel, the automotive airbag inflator market is segmented into OEM and aftermarket. The OEM segment accounted for 71% of the automotive airbag inflator industry share in 2024.
 

• As meeting regulations during the production of vehicles is important, OEMs have captured a large portion of the market as they integrate state-of-the-art airbag inflators in the vehicles to meet safety compliance requirements. There is a growing investment in automotive safety R&D and collaboration between OEMs and airbag manufacturers for the growth of inventive inflators.
   
• Automakers focus on Autoliv, Daicel, and other Tier 1 suppliers as it’s easier to manage compliance and quality. Another trend that OEMs are targeting is the use of modular and lighter-weight inflators that enhance automobile safety without increasing the weight of cars by large margins.
   
• Moreover, the expansion in sales for electric and autonomous vehicles, along with the increasing need for cars with built-in airbags, cements the position of OEMs as leaders in the market of automotive airbag inflators.

In 2024, China accounted for a market share of over 36% in Asia Pacific automotive airbag inflator market.
 

• Due to the enormous automotive manufacturing and selling capacity of China, it occupies the leading position in the market for automotive airbag inflators. Initiatives such as C-NCAP encourage automakers to install more advanced airbags.
   
• The growing middle class and increasing disposable income in the country are fueling growth in the demand for safer vehicles, which include passenger vehicles as well as SUVs. Local manufacturers are eager to join forces with global suppliers in order to incorporate technologically advanced inflator systems while optimizing factory pricing.
   
• The UK’s automotive airbag inflator industry analysis has been fueled by the growth of the region’s automotive industry and the growing demand for vehicles with Euro NCAP-compliant features such as integrated multi-stage inflators.
   
• The still-high presence of luxury automobile makers in the region, such as Porsche, ensures the adoption of high-end safety technologies such as multi-boosted inflators. The increasing number of electric and driverless cars on the market will only facilitate the introduction of inflators since such technologies require additional security measures for their users.
   
• There is also a strong emphasis on the use of greener inflator propellants in view of Europe sustainable development targets. The amalgamation of stricter regulations, development in future mobility, and a robust car manufacturing sector protects the Europe region’s supremacy.
   
• The growth of the automobile airbag inflator market in the Asia Pacific region is supported by increasing car production, especially in China, India, and Japan. Due to urbanization and an increase in their disposable income, the ownership of vehicles increases, creating a need for better safety systems.
   
• Regions within this area are adopting safety regulations aimed at curtailing road fatalities, thereby compelling car manufacturers to use effective airbag inflators. Also, the expanding automotive aftermarkets and the funding in electric vehicles are giving traction to the inflator manufacturers.
   

Automotive Airbag Inflator Market Share

Autoliv and Daicel hold significant market share of over 30% in the automotive airbag inflator industry in 2024.
 

• Autoliv has managed to solidify its reputation as a leading firm in the automotive airbag inflator industry due to their consistent and effective product innovation strategies. Their focus on creating lightweight and eco-friendly inflators puts them at the forefront of innovation.
   
• The company’s active presence in Europe, China, and North America helps them develop strong technological leaders offering ample compliance with local safety regulations in more than one country.
   
• Similarly, Daicel remains relevant today due to their diverse set of advanced airbag inflator solutions, including pyrotechnic and hybrid models, making them stand out with the fiercest competition of the market. For the firm, innovation is the ultimate driving force, so they ensure to focus their efforts on the development of lightweight and high-performing inflators.
   
• Further optimization of production and development of strategy in the Asia-Pacific region allows Daicel to develop and ungrudgingly deliver value-for-money and reliable solutions that drive their constant growth globally.

Automotive Airbag Inflator Market Companies

Major players operating in the automotive airbag inflator industry are:

• Autoliv
• Daicel
• ZF
• Joyson Safety Systems
• Toyoda Gosei
• Nippon Kayaku
   

Automakers and safety consultants have been pivotal in shaping the global automotive airbag inflator industry. International firms have attained market maturity through acquisitions and expanding their global supply capacity to capitalize on foreign demand. Particularly, high-reliability automotive materials and state-of-the-art production systems have been widely adopted by these companies. With a slew of critical partnerships and international supply chains under their belts, these companies have enjoyed a solid competitive advantage.
 

• Since local strongholds intend on widening their scope, a surge of mergers and acquisitions can be anticipated in the immediate future to stand against the elites. The ultimate outcome will propel more mergers and enhance competition, which can foster greater chances of innovation to rectify inefficiencies in the global distribution network. In turn, the overall airbag inflators value chain will slowly progress as the operating area that encompasses heat businesses, safety measures, and sustainability transitions into an area of high goals.
   

Automotive Airbag Inflator Industry News

• In June 2024, Autoliv’s goal to minimize its net emissions to zero by 2040 is beginning to take shape, as in that month Autoliv stated that it had already developed airbag cushions made from 100% recycled polyester together with supply chain partners who formulated a new polymer which resulted in involuting polymer emissions reduction by approximately 50%. These novel airbags are now available across the world and are a significant step in the direction of decarbonisation of automotive safety. Autoliv persists in leading the sector in transitioning towards a circular economy and a smaller operative carbon footprint without compromising the safety of the product.
   
• • In June 2023, Autoliv pioneered the use of passenger airbags that work on the concept of Bernoulli’s principle. This new technique facilitates faster inflation of larger airbags while reducing both development time and expenses. The crash signal is sent to the inflator of the Bernoulli Airbag which then uses high pressure super sonic gas through multiple inlet tubes.
   

The automotive airbag inflator market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue ($ Mn/Bn) and shipment (Units) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

Click here to Buy Section of this Report

Market, By Vehicle

• Passenger cars
  • Hatchback
  • Sedan
  • SUV
  • Others 
• Commercial vehicle
  • Light duty
  • Medium duty
  • Heavy duty

Market, By Inflator

• Pyrotechnic inflators
• Stored gas inflators
• Hybrid inflators

Market, By Airbag

• Frontal airbags
• Side airbags
• Curtain airbags
• Knee airbags
• Pedestrian airbags

Market, By Propulsion

• Gasoline
• Diesel
• Hybrid
• CNG
• LPG

Market, By Sales Channel

• OEM
• Aftermarket

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Nordics
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Southeast Asia
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Mexico
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa