Green Silica Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Highly Dispersible Silica and Easily Dispersible Silica), By Application (Tires, Rubber Goods, Paints & Coatings, and Others) and Regional Forecast, 2023-2030

The global green silica market size was valued at USD 297.0 million in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 262.3 million in 2023 to USD 444.9 million by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period. Asia Pacific dominated the green silica market with a market share of 52.32% in 2022.

Green silica is a type of silica that is produced using sustainable and environmentally friendly methods. It is commonly used as a filler in various industrial applications, including rubber, plastics, and coatings. It is characterized by its high purity, low impurity levels, and excellent dispersibility in liquid media. The product is also known for its unique properties, such as high surface area, high porosity, and excellent reinforcing properties, which make it an ideal choice for applications that require high mechanical strength and durability. Overall, it is a promising alternative to traditional silica, as it offers comparable performance while being produced in a more sustainable and eco-friendly manner.

The market’s growth can be attributed to the rising product usage in tire production. The adoption of the product aids in reducing the carbon footprint in the automotive industry. The enhanced qualities of silica have made it a crucial filler in the tire industry. Moreover, the burgeoning initiatives to tackle the environmental issues related to tire production can be addressed by adopting green silica.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Disruptions in the Supply Chain Hampered Market Growth Amid COVID-19

The COVID-19 outbreak had a detrimental impact on every aspect of the global economy, and the rubber and paints & coatings industry was no exception. China, India, Germany, Italy, Brazil, and Canada announced lockdowns, leading to restricted movement of materials. This factor severely affected the supply chain of the manufacturers operating in the market. Since both raw material supply and finished goods distribution were affected, the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the manufacturers' revenue generation.

Green Silica Market Trends

Growing Demand for Bio-based/Sustainable Products to Provide Beneficial Market Opportunities

The demand for sustainable silica is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, largely driven by the increased demand for bio-based products. The use of the product in the production of bio-based products offers a number of benefits, including reduced environmental impact and increased product sustainability. As the demand for bio-based products grows, there is a rise in the demand for sustainable silica. This is due to the fact that it is a key ingredient in many bio-based products, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and electronics.

Several companies have already begun exploring its use in tire production. For example, in September 2023, Pirelli announced that it had developed a new line of tires that use biosilica in place of traditional silica. The company claims that these tires offer improved grip, reduced rolling resistance, and better fuel efficiency. The growth of bio-based products is expected to have a significant impact on the demand for green silica. As companies look to meet the growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products, the production of sustainable silica using innovative and sustainable methods is expected to become increasingly important.

Green Silica Market Growth Factors

Increasing Awareness of the Harmful Effects of Traditional Silica on Human Health to Drive Market Growth

Green silica is a highly versatile material in the market due to its several advantages over traditional silica. Traditional silica is obtained from non-renewable sources and is known to cause several health problems, such as lung cancer, silicosis, and respiratory diseases. In contrast, green silica is obtained from agricultural waste, making it a sustainable and safe alternative to traditional silica.

Moreover, the use of green silica has several other benefits. It is a cost-effective solution as the raw materials are readily available, and the process of obtaining it has a lower carbon footprint. The use of agricultural residues for product synthesis not only adds value to the waste material but also reduces the environmental impact of its disposal. This makes it a popular choice among companies that prioritize sustainability.

The market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years due to the increasing awareness of the harmful effects of traditional silica on human health. As more companies adopt sustainable practices, the demand is expected to rise, creating a significant opportunity for green silica market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Lack of Product Awareness makes it Less Accessible for Industrial Application, Hindering Market Growth

The lack of awareness about the product and its properties is a significant factor that limits its accessibility for industrial applications. The product is also known as biosilica, is a naturally occurring form of silica that is derived from biological sources, such as plants, diatoms, and sponges. It is considered a more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional silica, which is derived from non-renewable sources. However, the supply chain is still relatively new and underdeveloped, which can lead to supply chain disruptions and challenges in sourcing the material. In addition, the production process can be more complex than traditional silica, which can also impact the supply chain.

The limited accessibility of green silica in the market due to its lack of popularity and awareness can hinder its adoption and utilization in various industrial processes. Thus, raising awareness and its benefits can help increase its accessibility, leading to more widespread adoption and utilization in industrial applications.

Green Silica Market Segmentation Analysis

By Type Analysis

Highly Dispersible Silica Segment Accounted for the Largest Share Due to its Superior Properties

Based on type, the market is segmented into highly dispersible silica and easily dispersible silica.

The highly dispersible silica segment is expected to witness the largest share of the market during the forecast period. Several key players are aiming to utilize highly dispersible silica to enhance tire performance and lower carbon black content. This type of silica is also convenient for energy-efficient tires. Due to its increased dispersibility, highly dispersible silica is utilized as filler to provide better reinforcement. In addition, it enhances tear resistance, processability, hardness, and abrasion resistance. Thus, these factors contribute to the growth of the highly dispersible silica segment.

By Application Analysis

Tires Segment Accounted for the Largest Share Due to the Rising Adoption of Sustainable Products

Based on application, the market is segmented into tires, rubber goods, paints & coatings, and others.

The tires segment dominated the green silica market share in 2022. The product is derived from sustainable sources such as rice husk and sugarcane and is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional precipitated silica in torn manufacturing. Its demand is spurred by the tire industry’s increasing emphasis on sustainability and environmental consciousness. It enhances tire performance by improving fuel efficiency and reducing rolling resistance, aligning with global efforts for energy efficiency and lower carbon emissions. As regulation and consumer preferences push for greener products, the tire industry’s adoption of the product continues to grow.

The rubber goods segment is expected to witness significant growth in the rubber industry during the forecast period. The product acts as a reinforcing agent in synthetic as well as natural rubbers. It improves the mechanical and rheological properties of rubber compounds. In the rubber industry, the product has applications in rice rollers, conveyor belts, gaskets, seals, and others.

In the paints & coating industry, adopting silica results in better flow ability and reduces the gloss of varnishes, lacquers, and paints by acting as a flattening agent.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Regionally, the market is segregated into the Asia Pacific, North America, the Middle East & Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

Asia Pacific accounted for a dominant share of 52.3% of the global market in 2022. The increasing demand for paints and coatings in the region due to the rising number of construction activities and automotive consumption has prompted the usage of the product, as it can be used as a flatting and thickening agent. The increasing regulation of harmful chemicals in industries such as rubber and paints & coating is anticipated to create several opportunities for market growth. China is the leading Asia Pacific market owing to the presence of a large industrial base in the country.

North America is anticipated to hold a significant share during the forecast period as the demand for green tires has increased across Canada and the U.S. The automotive industry in the region is quickly adopting green car technologies, which is expected to increase the demand for green tire production further.

The market in Europe is witnessing a significant growth rate due to favorable government support, growing environmental concerns, increasing spending on vehicle utilization in mobility services, and the rising popularity of green tire technology.

The emerging countries of Latin America are expected to drive market growth due to the rising number of construction activities. The growth of the market in the Middle East & Africa is associated with factors including increased awareness of environmental sustainability and regulatory initiatives promoting eco-friendly practices that have led industries such as automotive, construction, consumer goods, and others to seek greener alternatives.

List of Key Companies in Green Silica Market

Leading Players Maintain a Competitive Edge with Unique Product Offerings

Few major market players primarily dominate the market. The existing players have developed proprietary products and maintain a competitive edge over other players owing to their unique product offerings. Moreover, the major companies operating in the market include Evonik Industries AG, Brisil, Green Silica Group, BSB Nanotechnology Joint Stock Company, Ekasil, and Solvay, among other players. Plant expansions and strategic mergers and acquisitions characterize the global market. Actively acquiring competitors in order to achieve better economies of scale is the major business in the market.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Evonik Industries AG (Germany)


• Brisil (India)


• Green Silica Group (Brazil)


• BSB Nanotechnology Joint Stock Company (Vietnam)


• Ekasil (Thailand)


• Solvay (Belgium)


• Agrilectric Power (U.S.)


• Usher Agro Ltd. (India)


• Refratechnik (Germany)


• Amyris, Inc. (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• September 2022: Evonik Industries, a leading silica producer, entered into a strategic cooperation with the Pörner Group, an Austrian engineering company, and Phichit Bio Power Co., Ltd., a Thailand-based energy provider, to supply sustainable ULTRASIL precipitated silica. This partnership aims to develop a new process for producing high-quality, sustainable ULTRASIL silica from rice husks, which are a by-product of the rice milling process. Overall, this strategic cooperation is expected to create a new value chain that benefits the environment, the economy, and society as a whole by developing sustainable solutions for industry.


• June 2022: Brisil Technologies and Lehmann & Voss & Co. joined hands to explore the possibility of commercializing a silica filler derived from biomass. The "green" silica is used as a filler in paints, coatings, and plastics, among other industries. The companies currently have a production plant located in the Indian state of Gujarat, with a yearly capacity of 7,400 tons. Moreover, they are planning to build additional production facilities in Asia in the near future.


• December 2021: BSB Nanotechnology signed a MoU with Sanofi Vietnam to create a circular economy for rice husks. The agreement aims to promote the sustainable use of rice husks as a fuel source for Sanofi Vietnam's manufacturing operations, thereby reducing fossil fuel usage and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The two companies will also collaborate to develop new uses for rice husks, contributing to the development of a more sustainable future.

REPORT COVERAGE

The research report provides both qualitative and quantitative insights on green silica across the world. Quantitative insights include market sizing in terms of value across each segment and region profiled in the scope of the study. In addition, it provides market analysis and growth rates of segments and key counties across each region. Qualitative insight covers the elaborative analysis of key market drivers, restraints, growth opportunities, and industry trends related to the market. The competitive landscape section covers detailed company profiling of the key players operating in the industry.

Report Scope & Segmentation