Gains in US demand for silicones through 2016 will be driven by renewed economic growth,
along with rising manufacturing output and rebounding growth in construction activity.
US demand to climb 5.6%
annually through 2016
US demand for silicones is forecast to
climb 5.6 percent annually to $4.1 billion
in 2016, with advances accelerating
strongly from the pace of the recessionimpacted
2006-2011 period. Gains will
stem from renewed economic growth,
along with rising manufacturing output
and rebounding construction activity. In
volume terms, silicone demand is
projected to rise at a 4.8 percent annual
pace to 890 million pounds in 2016.
Cosmetics, toiletries to
boost key fluids segment
Silicone fluids and elastomers comprised
the largest share of silicone demand in
2011, with each product accounting for
more than 40 percent of the total.
Although silicone fluids will experience
below average gains through 2016 due
to maturity in certain markets, increasing
output of cosmetics and toiletries will
promote the development of innovative
silicone fluid emollients and conditioning
agents designed for use with natural
ingredients.
Rebounding growth in the
construction market will drive above
average gains in demand for silicone
elastomers, as well as for silicone resins.
Advances will also be promoted by
greater use of elastomers in medical
applications, where liquid silicone rubber
(LSR) is increasingly valued for its ease
of processing, flexibility, and ability to
form high precision parts. Silicone gels
represent a small but important product
segment. Demand for these materials
will benefit from the increasing utilization
of silicone gel encapsulants in the fast
growing photovoltaic and LED sectors of
the electronics market. Moreover,
silicone gel-filled breast implants -- which
were reintroduced to the market in 2006
after a 14-year ban -- will continue to
capture market share from their salinefilled
counterparts.
Industrial uses to remain
largest silicone market
The industrial market will remain by far
the largest outlet for silicones. The motor
vehicle segment is projected to provide
the best growth opportunities, driven by
substantial increases in vehicle output
from relatively low 2011 levels, as well
as by advancements in silicone technology
aimed at improving vehicle safety
and fuel efficiency. In addition, consumer
preferences for quieter cabins will
promote the use of silicone sealants and
other products that aid in noise and
vibration reduction. Among other markets,
construction and medical products
will achieve particularly rapid growth.
Advances in the construction segment
will be propelled by a strong recovery in
building construction, particularly in the
new residential segment, as well as by
the use of high performance siliconebased
adhesives, caulks, and coatings.
The medical market will continue to
expand strongly due to the ongoing
technological development of new
products.
Study Scope
This study analyzes the $3.1 billion US silicone industry. It presents historical demand data for the years 2001, 2006 and 2011, and forecasts for 2016 and 2021 by product (e.g., fluids, elastomers, resins, gels), market (e.g., industrial, consumer, construction, medical) and application (e.g., vehicles and binders, elastomeric components, lubricants and greases, emollients, surfactants, conditioning agents, polishes, defoamers).
It also considers market environment factors, details industry structure, evaluates company market share and profiles 37 industry players, including Dow Corning, Momentive Performance Materials and Wacker Chemie.
