London – Demand for precipitated silica market is expected to reach $3.7 billion (€3.3 billion) by 2022, driven mainly by applications in the rubber industry, according to a new report.
Growing demand for rubber-grade precipitated silica in tires, vehicle-part, construction, industrial and consumer-good uses is set to propel the market, said the study by Grand View Research Inc.
Rubber applications, it reckons, accounted for over 60 percent of the overall revenue share in 2014, with Europe accounting for over 19 percent of the market.
The product, noted the firm, can improve flex fatigue resistance, rubber tear strength, heat build-up, adhesion, abrasion resistance, modulus, and hardness. Furthermore, it is used to improve wet traction performance as well as rolling resistance of the tires.
The tire market will see increasing use of precipitated silica as a replacement for carbon black to improve anti-skid properties, tensile and tear strength, added the report. There will also be increasing use in rice rollers, thermoplastic rubber, PVC sheets, and shoe soles.
Precipitated silica manufacturers offer their products through different distribution channels which includes direct supply agreement, and vendors & distributors, said the report. It identified major precipitated silica consumers as including Kadvani Chemicals Pvt. Ltd and Oriental Silicas Corp.
Companies such as PQ Corp., PPG Industries, Inc, Madhu Silica Pvt. Ltd and Solvay are engaged in manufacturing, distribution and end-use, it added.
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