Global Silica Gel Market 2016-2020

This market research report identifies players like BASF, Clariant, Evonik, Solvay, and W.R. Grace to be the key vendors in the global silica gel market. This research report also presents a detailed segmentation of the market by product type (indicative and non-indicative silica gel), end-use (oil and gas, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, consumer goods, and others), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, and ROW).

Overview of the global silica gel market

According to Technavio’s market research analysts, the global silica gel market will grow at a steady pace, registering a CAGR of more than 6% between 2016 and 2020. Silica gels have extensive usage in a variety of commercial, industrial, and household applications including the automotive and electrical industries and are available in various forms such as powder and granulated silica. Some of the major types of silica gels include Type A, Type B, Type C, cat litter, and stabilizing silica gel. Owing to its simple manufacturing procedure, high specific surface area, and superior adsorption features, silica gel has gained popularity as one of the cheapest and most readily available moisture adsorbents worldwide, and finds wide applications as a desiccant and adsorbent. These gels are also used in water filtration, as a food additive, and for chromatography. The rise in demand for silica gel across oil and gas, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical industries and the significant increase in silica gel production capacity will have a considerable positive impact on the global silica gel market over the next four years.

One of the latest trends gaining traction in this market is the growing use of allochroic silica gel.  Allochroic silica gels are colored silica gel, which after absorbing moisture from the environment, changes their color. This gel is used extensively in various industrial applications such as power systems and transformers, which has propelled manufacturers to come up with innovations in the product properties. The color changing mechanisms of these gels indicates moisture content in the machine part, thereby enabling easy preventive maintenance and observation and correction of defects for transformer manufacturers. Besides transformers, these gels are also used to make electronic instruments moisture- and rust-proof.

Competitive landscape and key vendors

The global silica gel market is highly fragmented and extremely competitive where global vendors such as BASF, Clariant, Evonik, Solvay, and W.R. Grace dominate the market. These players have a vast geographical presence with large production facilities located across the world. The market also comprises a sizeable number of small regional vendors who have significant market shares. The competitive scenario in the market will intensify over the next four years owing to the increase in product extensions in terms of innovation in technology and the size of the silica gel. Also, the market will witness increasing consumption of silica gels in the developing regions such as APAC and the Middle East.

Leading vendors in the market are -

• BASF
• Clariant
• Evonik 
• Solvay
• W.R. Grace

Other prominent vendors in the silica gel market include Merck, Sorbead India, and Fuji Silysia Chemical.

Segmentation by product type and analysis of the silica gel market

• Indicative silica gel
• Non-indicative silica gel

The indicative silica gel dominated the market and accounted for the largest market share in 2015. These gels change their color from one to another, indicating the absorption of water molecules. The color change occurs within 5% to 9% relative humidity (RH) and does not indicate saturation of the silica gel. These gels have such strong adsorption properties that they can continue to adsorb even after the color change has taken place.

Geographical segmentation and analysis of the silica gel market

• APAC
• Europe
• North America
• ROW

In terms of geography, APAC ranks first in the global silica gel market and will continue its dominance over the predicted period. Much of the region’s growth is attributable to the rising production of silica gel in China. China's high value-added silica gel has extensive applications and is used as matting agents for paints, plastics, and other anti-adhesives and catalysts. The increasing environmental standards have led to high demand for silica gel as an industrial requirement. It is required for water adsorption in the oil and gas and petrochemical industries, clean foundry additives solutions, biodiesel purification, and in power plants.

 Key questions answered in the report include

• What will the market size and the growth rate be in 2020?
• What are the key factors driving the global silica gel market?
• What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the global silica gel market?
• What are the challenges to market growth?
• Who are the key vendors in the global silica gel market?
• What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the global silica gel market?
• Trending factors influencing the market shares of APAC, Europe, North America, and ROW.
• What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the global silica gel market?

Technavio also offers customization on reports based on specific client requirement.

Related reports:

• Global Desiccant and Adsorbent Market 2015-2019

Silica gel is one of the specialty silica and a kind of silicon dioxide. It is manufactured commercially by the acidification of sodium silicate. The silica gel is used in various commercial, industrial, and household applications. Some of its principal types include Type A, Type B, Type C, cat litter, and stabilizing silica gel. Silica gel is one of the cheapest and easily available moisture-absorbents worldwide and finds extensive application as an adsorbent and a desiccant owing to its simple manufacturing procedure, high specific surface area, and superior adsorption properties. It is also applied in water filtration, as a food additive, and for medical purposes such as chromatography. Adsorbents and desiccants are the fastest-growing application segments in this market. Clariant, Evonik, and Solvay have been identified as some of the prominent vendors in this market space.

The report, global silica gel market, is part of Technavio’s chemicals and materials research portfolio. This portfolio provides a comprehensive market analysis along with the market share, market sizing, and market segmentations covering areas such as additives, adhesives and sealants, agrochemicals and fertilizers, bio-chemicals and bio-materials, chemical engineering equipment, glass and ceramics, industrial gases, metals and minerals, olefins, paints, coatings, and pigments, personal protective equipment, plastics, polymers, and elastomers, and specialty chemicals. These market research reports provide a perspective on the various market opportunities and market threats along with the key trends that would influence the market growth during the forecast period. It presents insights into the changing competitive landscape and a detailed profiling and market analysis of the vendors. Also covered in the research are the key regions or countries that would have an impact on the market during the assessment years.