Published April 2023
Mainland China continues to be the largest consumer of silicones in the world. In 2002, mainland China accounted for only 7% of global consumption compared with the United States at 30% and Western Europe at 34%. In 2022, mainland China’s share of the global market increased to 45% from 36% in 2012, while the shares of the United States and Western Europe had declined to 16% (down from 17% in 2012) and 17% (down from 23% in 2012), respectively.
Silicones possess physical and chemical properties that allow their use in a multitude of applications. Silicones, or polysiloxanes, are versatile polymers consisting of an alternating silicon-oxygen backbone, typically with aliphatic or aromatic side groups. Silicones can be classified as fluids, elastomers or resins depending on their molecular weight, the extent of cross-linking, and the type and number of organic groups attached to the silicon atoms.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of silicones:
The overall global silicones annual growth rate is expected to be slightly over 4% during 2022–27. This growth is slightly higher than in previous years because of demand recovery and improving GDP growth globally, although silicones growth will continue to track with GDP. Furthermore, as the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, demand in all sectors has gradually improved.
Mainland China’s silicones demand is still expected to grow strongly in the next few years. Strong growth is also expected to continue in Southeast Asia and India, with moderate growth in Other Northeast Asia (excluding mainland China and Japan) and the Middle East and Africa. Consumption in North America, Central and South America, Central and Eastern Europe, and Japan, are each expected to increase modestly, while Western Europe will experience more limited growth.
During 2022–27, global demand growth for silicone fluids, elastomers and resins are each expected to average 4-5% annually. For silicone fluids, cosmetics, toiletries, and medicinal/pharmaceutical preparations will be the main uses. Silicone elastomer consumption will be driven by demand from the construction and automotive industries. Silicone resins growth is also dependent primarily on the construction industry.
For more detailed information, see the table of contents, shown below.
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