Sodium Silicate Market Analysis By Application (Detergents, Catalysts, Pulp & Paper, Elastomers, Food & Healthcare) And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2024

Market size and trends

The sodium silicate market size was valued at USD 5.82 billion in 2015. The product has high demand in the petrochemical industry as cracking catalyst. The growth of refining activities is anticipated to raise demand for cracking catalysts, which in turn is expected to have a positive impact on the industry growth over the forecast period.

Rising consumption of silica based products as a wear and abrasion resistant filler material in elastomers used for tire manufacturing is anticipated to have a positive impact on the growth over the projected period.

Precipitated silica demand estimates and forecasts, 2013 - 2024 (Kilo tons)

Liquid sodium silicate dominates the industry, accounting for over 85% of the total production. Growing demand for the product in the manufacturing of precipitated silica, pulp & paper, elastomers, and catalyst applications is expected to drive growth. In addition, it has high demand as an adhesive and binder in the manufacturing industry. Precipitated silica is the largest application for liquid sodium silicate.

Growing demand for sodium silicate to bind various products including corrugated board, angle boards, fiber drums, toilet tissues and paper napkins is expected to have a positive impact on the growth over the next eight years.

The industry is expected to witness high competition owing to the presence of numerous manufacturers with high production volumes. Investment, Divestment, and acquisition are expected to be the key strategies for major players in the market to strengthen the company business.

The majority of the players in the industry manufacture the product for their captive use for producing of silica based products such as precipitated silica, zeolites, and silica gels to meet the consumer needs. Scope for new product launches with low price is expected to compel manufacturers to invest more on R&D and innovation.

Application Insights

Detergent application segment accounted for over 30% of the revenue share in terms of application in 2015 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 2.4% over the next eight years. However, the product is expected to show lower penetration in this application owing market saturation and the emergence of liquid detergents across the globe.

Sodium silicate market movement, by application, 2015 & 2024

Elastomers are expected to be the fastest growing segment and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of over 3.2% from 2016 to 2024. The product finds wide application scope in the tire and rubber manufacturing as a filler. As a result, the rapid growth of automotive industry in Asia Pacific and in the Middle East & Africa is anticipated to drive sodium silicate demand over the next eight years.

The demand for the product in the catalytic application was valued over USD 1.07 billion in 2015 and is anticipated to grow at a significant rate owing to high investment in the oil & gas refinery processing. However, rapid growth of construction, agriculture and waste water treatment sector across the emerging economies such as India, Brazil, and South Africa is expected to have a positive impact on demand.

Regional Insights

China dominated the industry in the region accounting over 55% of the regional demand in terms of the revenue. The soap and detergent industry in China has grown over 13% over the past five years and generated over USD 35 billion in 2015. As a result, demand for sodium silicates in the detergent application is anticipated to grow over the next eight years.

U.S. Sodium Silicate Market Volume, By Application, 2015

The product demand in North America is expected to grow at a moderate rate owing to the over capacity of the market. The product was first commercially produced in the region to replace rosin in laundry soaps. Detergents have been the largest application segment for the industry over the past few decades and were valued over USD 265 million in 2015. However, the market share for sodium silicate in the detergent application has been declining over the last few years, owing to the emergence of liquid detergents which is anticipated to hamper product demand.

Sodium silicate demand in Europe is benefitted from the increased adoption of the silica derivatives in various application industries including oral care, food, healthcare, and pulp and paper industry. Growing demand for waste paper recycling owing to rising concerns towards the environment is expected to drive sodium silicate industry growth in the pulp and paper bleaching industry.

Competitive Market Share Insights

Key industry participants in the sodium silicate industry include PQ Corporation, OxyChem Corporation, W.R. Grace & Company, and PPG Industries. Demand-supply gap due to higher production volumes is expected to hamper entry of the new players. The majority of sodium silicate manufacturers are integrated across the value chain integration in order to reduce the dependency on the raw material suppliers.

Report Scope

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Market segments covered in the report

Grand View Research has segmented the sodium silicate market by application, and region.

• Application Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2024)
  • Detergents
  • Catalysts
  • Pulp & paper
  • Elastomers
  • Food & healthcare
  • Others
• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2024)
  • North America
    • U.S
    • Canada
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • UK
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
  • Middle East and Africa