CEH sees silica use still growing significantly in western Europe, Japan

Menlo Park, California-CEH (Chemical Economics Handbook) has produced a new market report on silica and silicates, which sees a moderate rate of growth” in use of precipitated silica as a filler in rubber and tyres currently, in the US and Mexico.

But growth is significant in Western Europe and Japan, CEH said.

The new study gives precipitated silica consumption in the US, Mexico, western Europe and Japan as 540 kilotonnes in 2004, with a value of approximately $800 million.

Precipitated silica is the largest-volume speciality silica, said CEH, used as a filler for rubber, primarily for automotive tyres, and for footwear. Other important end uses include batteries, food and health care products, and agricultural products.

CEH gives a figure for fumed silica consumption in the US, western Europe and Japan of 115 kt in 2004, with a value of approximately $1000 million. The market research firm adds that fumed silica-with its major market as a reinforcing filler in silicone elastomers-is exhibiting a moderate rate of growth.”

See more info on the report at:

http://www.sriconsulting.com/CEH/Public/Reports/766.4000/