Fumed silica, also known as pyrogenic silica, is synthesized using chlorosilanes and is widely used as a reinforcing and thickening agent in various industrial applications. It has excellent viscosity and thixotropic properties, high purity, chemically inert, and optimal performance. Fumed silica finds major applications in personal care products such as moisturizers, hair and skin care products as a texture enhancer. It is commonly used as a desiccant, carrier, thickener, reinforcement, anti-blocking agent, reinforcing filler and anticaking agent.
The global Fumed Silica Market is estimated to be valued at US$3 Billion in 2023 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR Of 10% over the forecast period 2024 To 2031, as highlighted in a new report published by Coherent Market Insights.
Market Dynamics:
One of the major drivers propelling the growth of the fumed silica market is rising adoption in the personal care industry. Fumed silica is a key ingredient used in various personal care products such as moisturizers, foundations, lipsticks, and hair care products among others owing to its excellent rheological properties and texture enhancement. It provides a smooth and silky texture to the end products. Additionally, fumed silica also acts as an opacifying agent providing an even application and adhesion to the skin. The particle size of fumed silica is extremely small which makes it an ideal choice for use in personal care formulations. Thus, the expanding personal care and cosmetics industry globally is fueling the demand for fumed silica over the forecast period. Another driver is significant usage of fumed silica as an anti-caking agent and thickening agent in food and beverage industry. It is used as an anti-caking agent in powdered foods to prevent separation or caking and as a thickening agent in sauces and dressings to improve viscosity without altering taste or clarity. Thus, rising application in food industry further stimulates the market growth.
SWOT Analysis
Strength: Fumed silica is widely used in applications such as paints & coatings, cosmetics, and silicone sealants. It offers advantages such as thickening properties, reinforcing agents, and thixotropic properties. It improves the physical properties of the final product. Fumed silica is extremely fine and lightweight, making it ideal for applications requiring smooth textures. It also offers good dispersion and anti-settling properties.
Weakness: The raw material used to produce fumed silica is silicon tetrachloride which is highly hazardous. Strict environmental regulations to produce and handle this raw material increase production costs. It requires specialized production facilities and skilled labor to produce fumed silica, further increasing costs.
Opportunity: Increasing demand from applications such as adhesives & sealants, coatings, and battery industry is expected to drive market growth. Fumed silica has wide usage in lithium-ion battery separators and gels which sees growing demand due to rising adoption of electric vehicles. Growth in paints & coatings is another major opportunity with increasing infrastructure and construction activities globally.
Threats: Environmental regulations around silicon tetrachloride production and handling may become more stringent over time increasing compliance costs. Price volatility of raw materials is also a major threat. Substitute products such as precipitated silica and silica gel may capture market share if they are able to provide performance parity at lower costs.
Key Takeaways
The Global Fumed Silica Market Demand is expected to witness high growth over the forecast period of 2024 to 2031.
The Asia Pacific region currently dominates the market and is expected to continue its domination fueled by high growth in countries such as China and India. Major application industries driving demand include paints & coatings, unsaturated polyester resins, and adhesives & sealants. China is currently the largest producer as well as consumer of fumed silica owing to presence of a strong industrial sector. However, other Asian countries are witnessing faster growth on the back of incentivized investments in manufacturing sector.
Key players operating in the fumed silica market are Evonik, Wacker Chemie AG, Cabot Corporation, Tokuyama Corporation, Guangzhou GBS High-Industry Co. Ltd, Orisil, OCI Company, Tianjin Disnano Co., Ltd, and Anten Chemical Co., Ltd. Evonik and Wacker collectively account for around 40% of global production capacity. Evonik is expanding production in Asia to be closer to high growth end-user industries in the region. Wacker faces high capacity utilization across all plants and is investing to expand capacities further.
Get more insights on this topic :
Arabic
Français
Español
Português
Deutsch
Türkçe
Dutch
Italiano
Russian
Romaian