World Specialty Silicas

Growth in the world specialty silicas market will total 5.0% annually through 2020 in volume terms.  Gains will be driven by increasing use of precipitated silicas in tires for improved performance and fuel efficiency.  In addition, gains will benefit from expanding manufacturing activities in developing regions.

This report segments the world specialty silicas industry by Product, Market, and Region.  Data is provided in thousand metric tons and million US dollars.

Specialty silica products include:

• Precipitated Silica

• Silica Gel

• Silica Sol

• Fumed Silica

Precipitated silica will remain the largest and fastest growing of these through 2020.  Growth will be supported by government regulations promoting the use of green tires, which incorporate precipitated silica.

Major specialty silica markets include:

• Rubber

• Food & Feed

• Chemicals

• Industrial Processing

• Cosmetics & Toiletries

Rubber will continue to be the largest and fastest growing outlet through 2020.  Food and feed will be the second fastest growing market, bolstered by increases in agricultural output and food and beverage shipments.

World regions and countries covered in the study include:

• North America

• Western Europe 

• Asia/Pacific 

• Central & South America 

• Eastern Europe 

• Africa/Mideast

The Asia/Pacific region will see the strongest advances among world regions through 2020.  Gains will be supported by ongoing need for precipitated silica in China’s large rubber-soled shoe manufacturing industry.

The world specialty silicas industry is highly concentrated.  Key producers include Air Products and Chemicals, Akzo Nobel, Cabot, Ecolab, Evonik Industries, Fuji Silysia Chemical, Fuso Chemical, JM Huber, Merck, Orisil, PPG Industries, Solvay, Wacker Chemie, and WR Grace.