Silica Gel Market Analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa - US, China, Japan, Germany, Canada, India, UK, South Korea, France, Italy - Size and Forecast 2025-2029

Silica Gel Market Size 2025-2029 

The silica gel market size is forecast to increase by USD 576 million at a CAGR of 9.7% between 2024 and 2029.

• The market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing utilization in the food and beverages industry as a food additive. This trend is driven by the excellent moisture absorption properties, making it an ideal desiccant for food packaging. Other significant applications include food and beverages, where it is used as a food additive in non alcoholic beverages, liquors, essential oils, snacks, and soil amendments. It is also used in chromatography, water filtration, and various industrial processes as an adsorbent, catalyst carrier, and separator.  Additionally, the growing use of allochroic, which changes color when it absorbs moisture, enhances food safety and quality. However, the market faces challenges due to health concerns associated with the inhalation of particles, which can lead to respiratory issues. Producers must ensure stringent safety measures to mitigate these risks and maintain consumer trust. Overall, the market is poised for growth, driven by its diverse applications and benefits.

What will be the Size of the Silica Gel Market During the Forecast Period?

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• The market encompasses a wide range of applications, including pharmaceuticals, paints and coatings, petrochemicals, food and beverages, personal care, plastics, electronics, and moisture control in various industries. Silica gel is available in two main forms: indicating and non-indicating. Indicating changes color when it reaches full saturation, making it ideal for moisture control in packaging and other applications.

• Non-indicating silica gel, on the other hand, does not change color and is commonly used as a desiccant, absorbent material, or food additive. Key industries driving market growth include pharmaceuticals, where it is used as a reagent and excipient, and the electronics industry, where it is used In the production of turbid polymers and as a moisture control agent. Additionally, it is used In the production of plastics, personal care products, and as a desiccant in various industries.

How is this Silica Gel Industry segmented and which is the largest segment?

The silica gel industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in "USD million" for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

• Application
  • Oil and gas industry
  • Petrochemical
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Consumer goods
  • Others
• Product Type
  • Indicative silica gel
  • Non-indicative silica gel
• Geography
  • APAC
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • South Korea
  • North America
    • Canada
    • US
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • UK
    • France
    • Italy
  • South America
  • Middle East and Africa

By Application Insights

• The oil and gas industry segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

The market is experiencing notable growth in various industries, with the oil and gas sector demonstrating substantial revenue expansion. Silica gel's unique properties, including its high absorbency, make it an essential component In the removal of hydrocarbons and water molecules from natural gases and petroleum-related products. Its usage is particularly prevalent in systems that require low dew points. Desiccants, such as silica gel and molecular sieves, are commonly employed in this industry. Silica gel's high absorbency also makes it a popular dehydrating and dehumidifying agent. Pharmaceuticals, paints and coatings, petrochemicals, food and beverages, personal care, plastics, electronics, and other industries also utilize silica gel due to its high porosity, non-crystalline structure, and ability to extend shelf life.

Its applications include use as a food additive, in non-alcoholic beverages, liquors, essential oils, snacks, turbid polymers, desiccants, and moisture control agents. Renewable raw materials, such as rice husk ash and bamboo, are increasingly being used to produce it, further expanding its applications.

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The oil and gas industry segment was valued at USD 168.60 million in 2019 and showed a gradual increase during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

• APAC is estimated to contribute 49% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period.

Technavio's analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period.

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The APAC market is projected to exhibit significant growth during the forecast period. China is a significant contributor to the regional market, holding a substantial share. The expanding demand in the automotive, pharmaceutical, food and beverages, and other industries in developing countries like China and India is a primary growth driver. Additionally, the increasing disposable income of consumers In these regions is expected to fuel the demand for automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverages, consequently boosting the market in APAC. Silica gel is employed in various applications, including adsorbents, catalyst carriers, separators, and desiccants, in industries such as petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.

In the food industry, it serves as a food additive and desiccant in non-alcoholic beverages, liquors, essential oils, snacks, and turbid polymers. Silica gel's highly porous, non-crystalline structure makes it an effective moisture and foul odor absorber, enhancing the shelf life of various products. In the electronic industry, it is used in chromatography, water filtration, and as a stationary phase in column and thin layer chromatography. Silica gel is also utilized In the oil and gas industry, petrochemicals, and nutritional products. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used as a soil amendment for moisture control and as an absorbent material in pharmaceuticals.

Market Dynamics

Our silica gel market researchers analyzed the data with 2024 as the base year, along with the key drivers, trends, and challenges. A holistic analysis of drivers will help companies refine their marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage.

What are the key market drivers leading to the rise In the adoption of Silica Gel Industry?

Increasing use in the food and beverages industry as food additives is the key driver of the market.

•  In the Pharmaceutical industry, non-indicating silica is used as a desiccant and a pharmaceutical excipient, extending the shelf life of drugs by absorbing moisture. In the Food and beverage sector, silica is used as a food additive, improving the flavor and quality of non-alcoholic beverages, liquors, essential oils, and snacks. It eliminates turbid polymers, making the drinks finer and more transparent. In the Personal Care industry, silica gel is used as a glidant, providing a smooth texture to cosmetics and personal care products. Silica gel's high porosity, non-crystalline structure, and ability to adsorb moisture and foul odors make it an essential component in various industries. It is used as an adsorbent material in chromatography for separating and purifying compounds. In the Petrochemical industry, it is used as a catalyst carrier and separator in oil and gas processing. In the Plastics industry, it is used as a viscosity agent and lubricant.
• In the Electronic industry, it is used In the production of electronic components and as a desiccant in electronic devices. It is also used In the production of activated alumina, activated clay, and activated charcoal, which are widely used in various industries for adsorption and filtration applications. In the food processing sector, it is used as a moisture control agent and absorbent material. In the Packaging industry, the packets are used to maintain the freshness of consumer goods. The global demand is expected to grow due to its increasing use in various industries. The increasing global drug spending and the growth of the personal care industry are expected to be the major drivers of the market during the forecast period.

What are the market trends shaping the Silica Gel Industry?

The growing use of allochroic silica gel is the upcoming market trend.

• The market encompasses various applications in industries such as pharmaceutical, paints and coating, petrochemicals, food and beverages, personal care, plastics, electronic industry, and more. Silica gel, a highly porous, non-crystalline form of silicon dioxide, is available in different types, including non-indicating it, silica alumina gel, and others. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used as a desiccant, absorbent material, and stationary phase in column chromatography and thin layer chromatography. In the food and beverages sector, it functions as a food additive, preservative, and colorant. In the personal care industry, it serves as a glidant, viscosity agent, and solvent. It is also utilized in the petrochemical industry as a catalyst carrier, separator, and adsorbent. In the electronic industry, it is used in chromatography for chromatographic separation and water filtration. The market  is driven by its wide range of applications and the increasing demand for renewable raw materials, such as rice husk ash and bamboo, in its production.
• Moreover, other materials like activated alumina, activated clay, and activated charcoal are also used as alternatives to silica gel in various applications. The market is expected to grow significantly due to the increasing demand for moisture control in various industries, including the pharmaceutical drugs, nutritional products, and food processing sectors. The market is also driven by the increasing use in the oil and gas industry, petrochemicals, and packaging industry trends. Silica gel is also used in the biotechnology industry for the separation and purification of proteins and other biomolecules. In the logistics and e-commerce sectors, the packets are used to maintain the shelf life of products by absorbing moisture and preventing foul odors.

What challenges does the Silica Gel Industry face during its growth?

Health hazards associated with the use of silica gel are a key challenge affecting the industry's growth.

• The market encompasses various industries, including pharmaceutical, paints and coating, petrochemicals, food and beverages, personal care, plastics, the electronic industry, and more. Silica gel, a highly porous, non-crystalline form of silica dioxide, is widely used as an adsorbent material in these sectors. In the pharmaceutical industry, non-indicating it is employed as a stationary phase in column and thin layer chromatography for chromatographic separation. In the food and beverages sector, it is used as a desiccant to absorb moisture and prevent spoilage in packaged food. However, its ingestion can lead to health concerns, such as irritation of the digestive tract and dehydration when consumed in large quantities. Silica gel is also used as a food additive in non-alcoholic beverages, liquors, essential oils, snacks, and turbid polymers. In the petrochemical industry, it is used as a catalyst carrier, separator, and absorbent material in oil and gas production.
• In the logistics and packaging industry, silica gel packets are used to maintain the quality and shelf life of various products by absorbing moisture and preventing foul odors. Silica gel is also used In the production of effervescent tablets, chromatography, and water filtration. The pore size and adsorption capacity of silica gel make it an effective adsorbent material in various industries. It is used as a separator in liquid and gas chromatography and as a catalyst carrier in biotechnology for the removal of prostate cancer carcinogens.

Exclusive Customer Landscape

The silica gel market forecasting report includes the adoption lifecycle of the market, covering from the innovator's stage to the laggard's stage. It focuses on adoption rates in different regions based on penetration. Furthermore, the silica gel market report also includes key purchase criteria and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop their market growth analysis strategies.

 Customer Landscape

Key Companies & Market Insights

Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, silica gel market forecast, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence In the industry.

Capitol Scientific Inc.: The company offers silica gels under the brand CapitolBrand. Also, the company offers scientific and technology products.

The industry research and growth report includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about key companies, including:

• AGC Inc.
• BASF SE
• Capitol Scientific Inc.
• Cilicant Pvt. Ltd.
• Clariant International Ltd.
• Desiccare Inc.
• DuPont de Nemours Inc.
• Ecovyst Inc.
• Fuji Silysia Chemical Ltd.
• GeeJay Chemicals Ltd.
• HengYe Inc.
• International Silica Gel Co. Ltd.
• Merck KGaA
• Natland International Corp.
• Nouryon Chemicals Holding B.V.
• OSAKA SODA CO. Ltd.
• SiliCycle Inc.
• Sinchem Silica Gel Co. Ltd.
• Solvay SA
• Standard Industries Inc.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of companies has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key industry players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize companies as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize companies as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.

Research Analyst Overview

The market encompasses a wide range of applications across various industries, including pharmaceuticals, paints and coatings, petrochemicals, food and beverages, personal care, plastics, electronics, and more. This versatile material, known for its highly porous, non-crystalline structure, is valued for its ability to absorb moisture and foul odors. It finds extensive use In the pharmaceutical industry for preserving the shelf life of drugs by maintaining a consistent moisture level. In the food and beverages sector, it serves as a food additive, particularly in non-alcoholic beverages, liquors, and essential oils, to prevent spoilage and maintain product quality. In the personal care industry, it is used in various cosmetic and hygiene products to improve texture, enhance color retention, and act as a thickening agent. In plastics, it functions as a lubricant, viscosity agent, and colorant. The electronic industry utilizes it In the production of capacitors, while the petrochemical industry employs it as a catalyst carrier and separator. Beyond traditional sources, renewable raw materials such as rice husk ash and bamboo are increasingly being explored as alternatives to produce it, contributing to the market's growing sustainability trend.

Moreover, its unique properties make it an essential component in various industrial processes, including chromatography for separating and purifying compounds. In water filtration, it acts as a desiccant to remove impurities. The market is diverse and dynamic, with applications spanning multiple industries and markets. The demand for this versatile material is driven by the need for moisture control, shelf life extension, and improved product quality across various sectors. Silica is available in various forms, including Type A, Type B, and Type C, with different pore sizes and applications. It is used as an adsorbent material, a catalyst carrier, and a separator, among other roles. In the biotechnology industry, it is employed In the production of prostate cancer carcinogens and in liquid and gas chromatography. The logistics and packaging industries have also seen trends towards increased use in e-commerce and consumer goods to ensure product freshness and maintain product quality during transportation and storage.

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What are the Key Data Covered in this Market Research and Growth Report?

• CAGR of the industry during the forecast period
• Detailed information on factors that will drive the market growth and forecasting between 2025 and 2029
• Precise estimation of the size of the market and its contribution to the industry in focus on the parent market
• Accurate predictions about upcoming growth and trends and changes in consumer behaviour
• Growth of the market across APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and the Middle East and Africa
• A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about companies
• Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the market growth of industry companies

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