The Silica Gel market estimated at USD 55.15 Billion in the year 2022, is projected to reach a revised size of USD 82.73 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.2% over the analysis period 2023-2030.
Silica gel is a porous and granular type of silicon dioxide produced using sodium silicate as a raw material. The substance is produced and sold in three different types commercially: type A, B, and C. Because of their moisture-proof and dry properties, type A and B types are expected to see increased use as catalyst carriers, adsorbents, cat litter, separators, and perfume carriers. Silica gel has a high surface area and superior adsorption properties, making it ideal for water filtration. Silica xerogel is a type of silica gel with vacuum voids that is commercially available. Because of its strong affinity for water molecules, it has excellent desiccating or moisture-absorbing properties.
Top Key Players in Silica Gel Market:
Evonik Industries, Clariant, Solvay, Merck Group, China National Bluestar, Fuji Silysia Chemical, Nissan Chemical Industries, DuPont, Dow Chemical, and Other Major Players.
Market Dynamics and Factors for the Silica Gel Market:
Drivers:
Increasing Usage in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Silica gel is frequently used in pharmaceutical packaging to protect medicines from moisture and other impurities. In the pharmaceutical sector, silica gel column chromatography is used to collect or separate various drug components. The rising pharmaceutical industry has increased drug production, which has boosted the silica gel market since they are employed in the pharmaceutical sector as colorants, glidants, lubricants, viscosity agents, solvents, preservatives, and many other things.
Opportunities:
Opportunity in Rapid Industrialization
The silica gel market has grown as a result of rapid industrialization and increased use of desiccants in various industries. To keep the immediate atmosphere dry, silica gel is used in the form of pellets kept in paper envelopes. It's widely used in the shipping and packaging industry, where goods must be protected from moisture when being transported. It is used in the food and beverage industry to prolong the shelf life of processed food by keeping it moisture-free due to properties such as non-toxicity, tastelessness, and chemical inertness. It's also used to absorb odors from refrigerators, cars, shoes, lockers, and other places. In the pharmaceutical industry, a silica gel column is also a key factor in the chromatographic separation of drugs. Furthermore, the growing demand for silica gel from the packaging industry, owing to its chemical stability and non-toxic nature, is expected to drive substantial growth in the global market over the next few years.
Segmentation Analysis of the Silica Gel Market:
- By Pore size, Fine pore (Type-A) silica gels generally are clear pellets with a diameter of approximately 2.0-3.0 nm. They are translucent spherical or irregular in size and are used as adsorbents, catalyst carriers, separators, etc. They are majorly used as desiccants for various applications such as electric or electronic equipment, textile, medicines, foodstuff, and footwear.
- By Application, the paints and coating Segment gaining traction from the silica gel market. This growth is driven by the demand for paints that can be used for multi-purposes such as being applied on cement walls, glass, wood, composites, and tiles, which have vigorous chemical and physical properties is rising rapidly.
Regional Analysis of the Silica Gel Market:
The Asia Pacific silica gel market is expected to be profitable over the forecast period, thanks to a favorable chemical industry outlook in India and China, as well as regulatory pressure to increase domestic production. The increased use of silica gel in pharmaceutical packaging to shield drugs from moisture and thus decomposition or dissolution is expected to be a critical success factor. Given supportive government regulations and spending on the healthcare sector, North America's robust pharmaceutical manufacturing industry would have a major positive impact.
Key Industry Development:
- In May 2021, W. R. Grace & Co. announced the completion of a manufacturing plant expansion in Kuantan, Malaysia. Through this expansion, the company is expected to respond to the increased demand for its silica gel products.
