Fumed silica market is estimated to be valued at USD 1.16 Billion in 2024, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.2% over the forecast period (2024-2031). The paints & coatings industry accounts for the largest share of fumed silica consumption globally. Fumed silica improves the viscosity, thixotropy, and ultimate strength of architectural and industrial paints/coatings. Furthermore, fumed silica also enhances the durability and shelf-life of paints/coatings.
The global fumed silica market is primarily driven by growing demand from the adhesives & sealants industry. Fumed silica is extensively used as a reinforcing and thickening agent in adhesives and sealants owing to its exceptional thixotropic properties. It improves adhesion, cohesion, viscosity, and rheological behavior of adhesives & sealants. The thriving e-commerce & logistics sectors globally have augmented the demand for adhesives & sealants from packaging industries, thereby propelling the consumption of fumed silica. Additionally, surge in paints & coatings consumption from automotive refinish and construction industries is also augmenting the market growth.
Increasing Demand from the Adhesives and Sealants Industry
The adhesives and sealants industry has seen significant growth in recent years due to increased infrastructure development and automobile production across major economies. Fumed silica is widely used as a reinforcing filler and thickening agent in adhesives and sealants. It improves qualities like strength, viscosity, and heat resistance of adhesive formulations. With continued growth anticipated in the adhesives industry, the demand for fumed silica as a key ingredient is also expected to rise steadily over the coming years.
Rising Uptake in the Paints and Coatings Sector
The paints and coatings industry has also been expanding globally, driven by factors like population growth, rising income levels in developing nations, and increased infrastructure spending. Fumed silica plays an important role in paints and coatings by improving properties such as gloss, opacity, reinforcing filler, and sag/leveling. It is especially useful for formulating high-solids or 100% solids paints/coatings which see higher demand due to their low VOC content. With paint consumption projected to increase worldwide, demand for fumed silica from this end-use segment will likely keep rising.
Availability of Substitute Products
While fumed silica remains the primary reinforcing filler used in silicate-based applications, some potential substitutes exist as well. For example, precipitated silica and silica gel can be utilized in certain formulations as alternatives to fumed silica. The entry of new substitute products in the market, along with continuous performance improvements in existing substitutes, may restrain the demand growth of fumed silica to some extent over the forecast period.
Health Hazards Associated with Processing
The manufacturing process of fumed silica involves high-temperature hydrolysis of silicon tetrachloride vapor, which produces numerous fine particles in the air. Inhalation of these particles poses health risks to workers and necessitates extensive safety measures. Concerns around occupational hazards associated with fumed silica production have a minor negative impact on its demand. Additionally, environmental regulations regarding factory emissions are always becoming more stringent.
Growing Demand from the Silicone Rubber Industry
Silicone rubber finds wide applicability in the automotive, construction, energy and healthcare industries due to its excellent heat and chemical resistance. It has become a preferred material for making sealants, hoses, gaskets, cable insulation, and medical devices. Fumed silica is a critical reinforcement agent used during silicone rubber processing. Favorable macros such as increased automobile manufacturing and infrastructure spending in emerging nations open up more opportunities for fumed silica consumption in the rubber industry.
Rising Uptake in Lithium-ion Batteries
The need for reliable energy storage solutions has pushed the lithium-ion battery demand dramatically in recent times. Fumed silica plays an important role as a performance-enhancing additive in battery separator and cathode materials. Its inclusion can improve mechanical strength, porosity control, and electrolyte retention. With electric vehicles and grid-scale batteries seen growing rapidly in the coming decade, fumed silisca stands to gain increased use in battery manufacturing going forward.
Link: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/fumed-silica-market-5405
Key Developments
- HPQ Silicon Inc. announced in January 2024 that its Fumed Silica Reactor (FSR) technology project had completed an internal study with favorable results. The FSR pilot plant is being developed by PyroGenesis and is expected to be operational in Q3 2024. The plant will have a 50 tons per year output capacity.
- In 2023, Nouryon introduced new high-efficiency Kromasil spherical silica for novel peptide-based pharmaceuticals
- In 2022, Notice Concerning an Increase in Production of Hydrophobic Silica at Tokuyama Chemicals (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd.
- In 2022, WACKER planned the expansion of its Charleston site and prepared for the construction of silicone production facilities
Key Players
Applied Material Solutions Inc., Cabot Corporation, Chifeng Shengsen Silicon Technology Development Co. Ltd, China-Henan Huamei Chemical Co. Ltd, Dalian, Fuchang Chemical Co. Ltd, Dongyue Group Co. Ltd, Evonik Industries, Gelest Inc., Heraeus Holding, Kemitura AS, OCI Company Ltd, Tokuyama Corporation, Wacker Chemie AG, Henan Xunyu Chemical Co., Ltd., Cabot Sanmar, and Astraa Chemicals
