Global Silicones

5th Edition

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This study examines the global market for silicones by product, market (e.g., construction, transportation, electrical equipment, personal care, chemical, electronic products, and medical and healthcare), and world region. Historical data for 2008, 2013, and 2018 and forecasts for 2023 are provided for silicone demand in current dollars for each of the products and markets. Volume data (in metric tons) are also provided for each region and selected, as well as for each market and product at the global level.

In addition, the key strategic and competitive variables affecting the global silicone industry are discussed, the industry’s key players are identified, and global market share is evaluated. The entire study is framed within the silicone industry’s economic and market environments.

For the purposes of this study, silicones are defined as polymers of silicon and oxygen. To avoid double counting, silicone demand is determined at producer level and includes only basic products such as elastomers, fluids, resins, and gels:

• elastomers – including adhesives, sealants, and rubbers – which can be divided into three major categories – room temperature (RTV), high temperature/high consistency (HTV or HCR), and liquid (LSR) – for the purposes of this study
• fluids – such as emulsions, defoamers, and lubricants – which encompass both basic siloxane fluids and more specialized products such as organically functionalized fluids, fluorosilicone fluids, lubricants, and emulsions
• resins, which function exclusively as vehicles and binders in the formulation of various products, including paint and coatings (including release coatings and conformal coatings); pressure sensitive adhesives; sealants; industrial laminates such as varnishes for coating glass cloth; polishes; and cosmetics
• gels, which are produced by lightly crosslinking silicone fluids to form a loose, three-dimensional network, resulting in jelly-like material somewhere between a fluid and an elastomer
• foams, which are high-performance elastomeric materials based on silicone fluid intermediates and made by mixing the fluids with a catalyst and blowing agent and then pouring the material into a mold to produce the desired shape
• pastes, which are designed for use as grease to protect against moisture and corrosion and to lubricate a variety of industrial components
• other products

Siloxanes used as silicone products themselves (as in personal care product formulations) are also included. Foam control agents used in foam insulation are included in the chemicals – rather than the construction – market.

Excluded are:

• downstream silicone products such as adhesives, sealants, lubricants, defoamers, and molded rubber goods
• siloxanes used as raw materials for silicones, although siloxanes used as silicone products themselves (as in personal care product formulations) are included
• silanes, including chlorosilane intermediates and silane coupling agents, which are not defined as silicone polymers
• fluids used as intermediates in the production of other silicone product types, including gels, elastomers, and resins