Automotive Curtain Airbag Market By Type (Standard Curtain Airbags, Side Impact Curtain Airbags, Knee Curtain Airbags), By Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicles, Electric Vehicles (EVs), Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs)), By Technology (Inflation Technology - Single-Stage, Multi-Stage, Inflator/Propellant Based Systems), and By Region; Global Insights & Forecast (2024 – 2030)

As per Intent Market Research, the Automotive Curtain Airbags Market was valued at USD 4.0 billion in 2023 and will surpass USD 7.3 billion by 2030; growing at a CAGR of 9.0%during 2024 - 2030.

The automotive curtain airbag market is crucial to ensuring occupant safety in vehicles, particularly in side-impact collisions and rollovers. These airbags deploy along the side windows and rooflining to protect passengers from injury by cushioning them during an impact. Over the years, automotive manufacturers have integrated curtain airbags into their vehicles as a standard safety feature, in response to increasingly stringent safety regulations worldwide. These airbags are designed to provide additional protection alongside front airbags, making them an essential element in modern vehicle safety systems. As consumer awareness of safety continues to rise and regulations become more demanding, the market for automotive curtain airbags is expected to expand significantly in the coming years.

Standard Curtain Airbags Segment is Largest Owing to Widespread Adoption

The standard curtain airbags segment holds the largest share of the automotive curtain airbags market, driven by their widespread adoption across a range of vehicle types. Standard curtain airbags are designed to deploy during side-impact collisions and rollovers, offering head protection for occupants. These airbags are found in a variety of vehicles, including both passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, making them the most common type of curtain airbags in production today. Their ability to provide critical protection during side crashes, which are known to cause severe injuries, contributes to their prevalence as a standard safety feature in vehicles worldwide.

Manufacturers and suppliers are increasingly focusing on enhancing the technology behind standard curtain airbags, improving their performance and reliability. This includes the development of faster deployment systems and more efficient inflation mechanisms to reduce the risk of injury in high-impact scenarios. The integration of these systems into both traditional and electric vehicles, alongside their ability to meet regulatory safety standards, will continue to drive the growth of this segment. As automotive safety regulations tighten globally, the demand for standard curtain airbags in new vehicle models is set to remain robust.

Electric Vehicles (EVs) Segment is Fastest Growing Owing to Rising Popularity of EVs

The electric vehicles (EVs) segment is the fastest-growing subsegment within the automotive curtain airbag market. As electric vehicles continue to gain traction globally, driven by government incentives, environmental concerns, and advances in battery technology, the need for advanced safety features, including curtain airbags, has surged. EVs are designed with unique structural configurations compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, which has necessitated the development of specialized safety systems. Curtain airbags in EVs must account for battery placement, the absence of an engine bay, and other specific design elements, making this segment a rapidly growing area of innovation within the automotive safety industry.

Automakers are increasingly focusing on the integration of curtain airbags in their electric vehicle models to ensure they meet the same safety standards as conventional vehicles. In response to the rise in EV production and sales, suppliers of curtain airbags are adapting their technologies to cater to the specific needs of electric vehicles. This includes developing more advanced inflator technologies and airbags that are compatible with the unique interior and design specifications of electric vehicles, making this segment one of the key growth areas in the automotive curtain airbag market.

Inflation Technology Segment is Largest Owing to Advanced Safety Features

The inflation technology subsegment, particularly single-stage and multi-stage inflation systems, is the largest within the automotive curtain airbags market. Inflation systems play a pivotal role in the deployment of curtain airbags, determining the speed, force, and reliability of the airbag during a collision. Single-stage inflation systems are widely used in many vehicles due to their cost-effectiveness and reliable performance in most collision scenarios. Multi-stage inflation systems, which provide more controlled deployment based on the severity of the crash, are increasingly being integrated into high-end vehicles and electric vehicles, providing more tailored protection for occupants.

The demand for advanced inflation systems is expected to grow as safety regulations become more stringent and as automakers continue to push for higher levels of safety in their vehicles. Innovations in inflation technologies, such as propellant-based and hybrid inflation systems, have also expanded the capabilities of curtain airbags. These technologies are helping to improve the overall performance of airbags in terms of deployment time, inflation accuracy, and protection levels, which is crucial for meeting evolving crash safety standards.

North America is the Largest Region Owing to Stringent Safety Regulations

North America is currently the largest regional market for automotive curtain airbags, primarily due to the stringent safety regulations in place and the high demand for advanced safety features in vehicles. The United States, in particular, has some of the most stringent vehicle safety regulations in the world, which require automakers to equip vehicles with side-impact protection systems, including curtain airbags. As a result, North American manufacturers and OEMs are increasingly focusing on the development and integration of advanced curtain airbag technologies to comply with these regulations.

In addition to the regulatory environment, the growing presence of electric vehicle manufacturers in North America is also contributing to the demand for curtain airbags. Companies like Tesla, Rivian, and General Motors are making significant strides in EV production, which has led to an increased demand for safety technologies tailored to the specific needs of electric vehicles. As EV adoption continues to rise in North America, the demand for curtain airbags is expected to follow suit, further bolstering the region’s dominance in the automotive curtain airbag market.

Leading Companies and Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape of the automotive curtain airbag market is highly dynamic, with several key players striving to maintain leadership in this rapidly evolving sector. Companies such as Autoliv Inc., Takata Corporation (now part of Joyson Safety Systems), ZF Friedrichshafen, Toyoda Gosei, and Continental AG are some of the major contributors to the market. These companies are known for their extensive portfolios of safety systems, including curtain airbags, and are continually investing in research and development to enhance airbag technologies.

The competitive environment is marked by significant investments in innovation, particularly in the development of advanced inflation technologies and sensor integration for curtain airbags. Collaborations between automotive manufacturers and safety suppliers have also increased, with automakers looking to integrate the most up-to-date safety technologies in their vehicles. As vehicle safety standards become more stringent, companies in the automotive curtain airbag market are focusing on meeting the evolving needs of the automotive industry, particularly with regard to electric vehicle integration and the increasing demand for tailored safety systems.

Recent Developments:

• Autoliv announced a new collaboration with a major OEM to supply advanced curtain airbags for electric vehicles, enhancing side-impact protection in new EV models.
• Takata unveiled a next-generation curtain airbag system featuring faster deployment and enhanced protection, meeting global crash test standards.
• Hyundai Mobis introduced a smart curtain airbag system designed to adjust its deployment based on occupant size and crash severity, improving safety and comfort.
• ZF finalized its acquisition of TRW Automotive, merging their curtain airbag technologies to develop more efficient and cost-effective safety systems for OEMs.
• In response to tightening vehicle safety regulations in Europe, manufacturers like Continental AG have ramped up the production of advanced curtain airbags designed to meet updated standards.

List of Leading Companies:

• AB Volvo
• Autoliv Inc.
• Continental AG
• Daicel Corporation
• Daimler AG
• Delphi Technologies
• Faurecia
• Hyundai Mobis
• Joyson Safety Systems
• KSS (Key Safety Systems)
• Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
• Takata Corporation
• Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
• TRW Automotive
• Zhejiang Jushi Group

Report Scope: