Chemical Raw Materials in Automotive: Answers to 8 Common Questions from Manufacturers and Suppliers

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The automotive industry places high demands on chemical raw materials – from resistance to extreme temperatures to compatibility with various materials. Manufacturers and suppliers often face similar questions: How to choose the right additive for plastics to ensure they last for decades? Why do some cleaning agents cause metal corrosion? Or how to ensure that raw materials comply with REACH and GHS requirements? In this article, we answer eight of the most common questions asked by our clients in the automotive sector – from selecting raw materials to practical tips for their processing.

1. Which chemical raw materials are key for the production of automotive components?

In the automotive industry, chemical raw materials play a crucial role in ensuring the functionality, safety, and durability of components. Among the most important are polyols and polyurethanes, which are used for the production of interior foam parts, seals, or insulation materials. These substances offer excellent resistance to mechanical stress and chemicals, which is key to the long-term reliability of vehicles.

Another significant group includes additives for plastics and coatings, such as plasticizers, stabilizers, or pigments. Plasticizers improve the flexibility of plastic parts, while stabilizers protect materials from degradation caused by UV radiation or temperature fluctuations. For surface treatments of car bodies and protective coatings, special resins and corrosion inhibitors are used, ensuring resistance to weather conditions and chemicals like de-icing salts.

2. How to Ensure Compatibility of Chemical Raw Materials with Automotive Materials?

Compatibility of chemical raw materials with materials such as metals, plastics, or composites is essential for preventing degradation, corrosion, or loss of mechanical properties. Before introducing a new raw material into production, it is necessary to conduct a series of tests to verify its behavior in combination with other materials. Standard testing methods determine, for example, resistance to temperature cycles, humidity, or chemicals commonly encountered in vehicle operation.

An important step is also assessing the migration of additives from plastics into surrounding materials, which can lead to undesirable reactions. For example, some plasticizers may cause embrittlement of plastics or degradation of adhesives. Manufacturers should collaborate with raw material suppliers to develop formulations that minimize the risk of incompatibility and ensure compliance with recommended storage and processing conditions for raw materials.

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3. What safety and legislative requirements must raw materials for automotive meet?

Chemical raw materials used in the automotive industry are subject to strict legislative requirements, particularly the REACH and CLP/GHS regulations. REACH governs the registration, evaluation, and authorization of chemical substances, while CLP/GHS sets the rules for the classification, labelling, and packaging of hazardous substances. Manufacturers and suppliers must ensure that all raw materials comply with these regulations and are properly labelled with safety data sheets and labels.

In addition to general chemical regulations, raw materials for the automotive industry must often meet specific requirements of automotive standards, such as limits on volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions or bans on the use of certain hazardous substances (e.g., lead, cadmium). Manufacturers should require compliance certificates from suppliers and regularly update their knowledge of legislative changes to avoid the risk of non-compliance.

4. How to optimise costs of chemical raw materials without losing quality?

Optimising the costs of chemical raw materials in the automotive industry requires a combination of technical and commercial approaches. One effective method is replacing expensive raw materials with alternative materials that have similar properties, without compromising the quality of the final product. For example, some synthetic polyols can be partially replaced with recycled materials, which reduces costs while also supporting sustainability.

Another option is improving the efficiency of production processes, such as optimizing additive dosing or reducing waste quantities. Manufacturers should regularly analyze raw material consumption and seek opportunities to minimize losses, for example, through better mixing technologies or process automation. Collaboration with suppliers on developing cost-effective formulations and long-term supply contracts can also contribute to cost savings.

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5. What trends in chemical raw materials are impacting the automotive industry in 2024?

The automotive industry is undergoing dynamic changes, which are also reflected in the requirements for chemical raw materials. Key trends include growing demand for lightweight, high-strength materials, leading to wider use of additives for composite materials and lightweight plastics. For example, polyols with high thermal resistance and low viscosity are becoming the standard for the production of interior components, where emphasis is placed on reducing vehicle weight and improving acoustic comfort.

Another significant trend is the shift toward sustainable and recyclable materials. Automotive manufacturers are increasingly demanding raw materials with REACH certification and low volatile organic compound (VOC) content. Bio-based surfactants or additives for coatings containing recycled components are becoming a common part of specifications. Resistance to extreme conditions, such as high temperatures or chemical aggressiveness, is also an important factor, requiring special stabilizers and corrosion inhibitors for electrical components and battery systems.

6. How to Store and Handle Chemical Raw Materials for Automotive Properly?

Proper storage and handling of chemical raw materials are crucial for maintaining their quality and safety. In the automotive industry, substances sensitive to moisture, temperature, or light are often used, so specific conditions must be observed. For example, polyols and some surfactants should be stored in sealed containers at a temperature of 15–25 °C to prevent degradation or changes in viscosity. For highly flammable substances, such as solvents or certain coating additives, it is essential to ensure separate storage areas with adequate ventilation and fire safety measures.

Handling chemical raw materials also requires adherence to compatibility principles. Substances that may react with each other (e.g., acids and bases) must be stored separately to prevent hazardous reactions. It is also important to regularly check expiration dates and the condition of packaging, especially for raw materials with limited stability. For sensitive materials, such as catalysts or polymerization initiators, the use of an inert atmosphere (e.g., nitrogen) during handling is recommended to minimize the risk of contamination or unwanted reactions.

7. How to Test and Validate Chemical Raw Materials Before Use in Automotive Applications?

Testing and validation of chemical raw materials are essential steps to ensure their reliability and performance in automotive applications. The first step is verifying compliance with supplier specifications, including checks of physicochemical properties such as viscosity, density, melting point, or active substance content. For critical applications, such as safety or emissions, advanced analyses are performed, including chromatographic methods for purity determination or stability tests under extreme temperatures.

Another important aspect is testing compatibility with other materials the raw material will come into contact with. This includes adhesion tests, chemical resistance tests, or long-term stability tests under real-world conditions. For example, coating additives are tested for resistance to UV radiation, moisture, and mechanical stress to ensure their durability throughout the vehicle's lifespan. For electrical components, key tests include electrical conductivity or short-circuit resistance. Validation should be carried out according to standard testing methods and in compliance with the specific requirements of the automotive manufacturer.

Need advice on selecting raw materials?

Every chemical raw material supplied by GCG Group is accompanied by a detailed Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and technical documentation. Our experts will be happy to help you select the right solution for your specific automotive industry application. Contact us – or browse our catalog of over 1,300 products right away.