Sodium Silicate Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Solid and Liquid), By Application (Detergents, Pulp & Paper, Derivative Silicates, Construction, Water Treatment, Adhesives, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global sodium silicate market size was valued at USD 6.62 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 6.85 billion in 2024 to USD 9.11 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period. Asia Pacific dominated the sodium silicate market with a market share of 41.54% in 2023. Moreover, the sodium silicate market in the U.S. is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of USD 1.13 billion by 2032, driven by the growing demand for soaps and laundry detergents.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with sodium silicate experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. Based on our analysis, the global market exhibited a decline of 1.4% in 2020 as compared to 2019.        

Sodium silicate is an inorganic sodium salt with silicate as a counterion. It is also known as waterglass. It is crystalline, readily dissolves in water, and finds a broad range of applications in everyday products such as detergents and water treatment chemicals. Increasing awareness of infection prevention has increased the demand for detergents and propelled their consumption. Infrastructural development in several regions due to rapid urbanization is anticipated to bolster the demand from the construction industry during the forecast period.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, sodium silicate demand from the paper & pulp and the construction sector recorded a considerable decline. This drop was linked with decreased production activities in these industries in line with lockdown restrictions imposed at the global level. Paper & pulp was one of the severely hit industries during the pandemic. The negative outlook for the paper & pulp industry declined the demand for silicates. The overall market was moderately affected by the COVID-19 outbreak; however, demand from the detergent industry saw a surge in consumption. The market witnessed a significant recovery rate due to this surge.

Sodium Silicate Market Trends

Increasing Demand for Derivatives due to Vast Array of Applications to Propel Market Growth

The derivative silicates are used to produce chemicals and compounds such as silica, precipitated silica, catalysts, and zeolites. The zeolite derived from sodium silicate is generally used as the construction material and catalytic agent in refining crude oil into high-grade petroleum products. Moreover, silica is used as a thickening agent, anti-caking agent, and as structure-enhancing agent in various applications. The burgeoning medical industry is anticipated to open several applications for silicate derivatives.

Further, the growth of derivative silicates is associated with the rise in demand for silica and zeolites in electronic optics. Additionally, silica is widely used in consumer and industrial products such as toothpaste and paints. Hence, the use of derivative silicates in a wide range of applications is expected to drive market growth.

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Sodium Silicate Market Growth Factors

Growing Demand for the Product from Various Application Areas to Drive the Market Growth

Sodium silicate is a cost-effective compound that permits soap manufacturers to produce high-strength soaps with constancy and high water content. Due to abundance and affordability of water, using sodium silicate considerably reduces the cost of soap production. This allows manufacturers to channel these savings into R&D, further enhancing the quality of their detergents.

Sodium silicates and metasilicates are used for various detergents, including laundry and industrial detergents. They are extremely effective in removing soils, dirt, and fats owing to their alkalinity, cleaning power, and buffering capacity. The alkalinity of these silicates allows them to neutralize acidic soils, disperse or dissolve proteins, and emulsify fats and oils. Their buffering capacity upholds the preferred alkalinity in the presence of acidic compounds and also when diluted. They serve as binders in dish wash tablets and heavy-duty detergents. The solid form of these silicates is often used for metal cleaning products, whereas liquid is used as builders in soaps. These silicates and metasilicates create a protective film on metallic surfaces such as washing equipment, cookware, and ceramics and shield these materials from attack and damage by alkaline cleaners.

There has been significant research regarding the use of phosphates that are used as additives in detergents. Phosphates enhance the cleaning properties but can cause major health and environmental hazards. Thus, growing awareness among consumers regarding the use of phosphate-free detergents is boosting the product demand.

Wastewater treatment is one of the significant applications of sodium silicates. In wastewater treatment plants, liquid form is used as an iron deflocculant. Growing concerns and stringent regulations regarding wastewater treatment are expected to drive the demand for silicate-based deflocculant in the market. Infrastructural development in several regions due to rapid urbanization is anticipated to bolster the product demand from the construction industry during the forecast period. Thus, the high product demand from various applications is driving market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Toxic Nature of the Product to Impede Market Growth

Diluted product solutions are harsh alkaline irritants, whereas the solid form is corrosive. Exposure to these alkaline corrosives may result in serious burns depending on the chemical concentration and period of exposure. It is often found in household cleaning and laundry products. Due to its corrosive nature and harmful effects on the body, this chemical compound is usually handled carefully. Contact with the skin can cause itching, pain, and redness. A burning sensation in the eyes can occur on contact with the eyes.

Sodium silicates have displayed moderate toxicity to aquatic creatures and minor toxicity to terrestrial organisms. It can moderately affect aquatic lifecycles and ecosystems when released into water bodies. Such factors are expected to restrict the market growth.

Sodium Silicate Market Segmentation Analysis

By Type Analysis

Liquid Leads the Market Due to its Rising Application in Liquid Detergents

Based on type, the market is bifurcated into solid and liquid. Liquid segment held major share in 2023. The demand for liquid type has increased due to its use in liquid detergents. Moreover, using liquid form of silicates in the adhesive drives segmental growth worldwide. The segment’s growth is associated with the increased demand for sustainable products as consumers became more aware of green chemicals. For instance, consumers don’t prefer products that contain phosphates as they cause significant health and environmental impacts.

Solid type is used to produce laundry and industrial detergent powder as it is efficient in removing oils, fats, and dirt due to its alkalinity. They have physical properties that make them attractive for industrial and commercial use.

Due to the molecular structure, the product works as a deflocculant agent, making it ideal for use in detergents, pulp & paper, construction, water treatment, and other industrial applications. The growing use of industrial cleaning products creates growth opportunities for the market. Solid form of silicates is effective in construction. For instance, a mixture of sawdust and sodium silicates is utilized as the double skin of certain safes making it fire resistant.

Thus, the adoption of silicates has increased as compared to phosphates. The rise in technological advancement, cost-effective raw materials, increased manufacturing of detergents, and water treatment chemicals will surge liquid silicates demand during the forecast period.

By Application Analysis

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Detergent Segment to Generate Highest Revenue Owing to Growing Consumer Awareness of Hygiene

In terms of application, the market is segmented into detergent, pulp & paper, derivative silicates, construction, water treatment, adhesive, and others.

The detergents segment is anticipated to grow significantly during the forecast period. The segment's growth is associated with precautions and safety guidelines issued by governments of different countries to minimize the effect of COVID-19. Thus, cleaning products such as detergents and soap are in high demand as hygiene has become a priority among others. Furthermore, the increasing use of detergents in the chemical industry as degreaser agents is also driving segment growth, propelling product demand worldwide.

The derivative silicates segment is driven by the increasing demand for chemicals and compounds such as silica, precipitated silica, catalysts, zeolites, and others. Zeolites are generally used as the construction material and catalytic agent in refining crude oil into high-grade petroleum products. Moreover, silica is used as a thickening agent, anti-caking agent, and as a structure-enhancing agent in various applications.

Wastewater treatment is one of the significant applications. The product is utilized as iron deflocculates. The growing concerns about industrial and household wastewater are expected to drive the demand for wastewater treatment in the market, propelling the product demand worldwide. The other segment includes foundry, ceramics, and textiles applications. The market growth is associated with increased industrialization, which propelled the product demand from various applications.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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The market in Asia Pacific was valued at USD 2.75 billion in 2023. The region is anticipated to hold the largest sodium silicate market share during the forecast period. The countries in the region, including India and China, are the fastest-growing economies. Therefore, the demand for consumer products, such as detergents, and soap, has gradually increased over the past few years. Detergent manufacturers are increasing their manufacturing capacities to cater to product demand.

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Europe is anticipated to have substantial growth owing to the rising demand for the product from the detergent sector in the region. According to the International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products (A.I.S.E), in 2020, consumers in Europe spent an estimated USD 34 billion on household care products compared to USD 32 billion in 2019. The higher spending was attributed to the logical consequence of the pandemic. The region is also witnessing high demand for water treatment chemicals as most European countries are surrounded by ocean, and it is essential to treat the wastewater to make it usable.

In North America, the growth of the pulp & paper segment in the region is associated with high demand for food & beverage products. Countries in the region, such as Canada and the U.S., have a large number of super markets, mega markets, and malls to fulfill consumer needs for food products. The increased demand for these products put pressure on non-plastic packaging manufacturers, leading to the demand for pulp and paper products. Thus, the increased demand from the food & beverage industry will boost the sodium silicate market growth.

Latin America is experiencing growth due to rising disposable income, infrastructural development activities, and rising investments in the chemical industries. Furthermore, the construction industry is increasing gradually, driving the demand for the product.

In the Middle East & Africa, the market's growth is associated with the growing demand from increased industrialization. Additionally, the region's foreign investments are high as top manufacturers are establishing their presence to become key players in the region.

List of Key Companies in Sodium Silicate Market

Key Players to Strengthen their Position in Market through Capacity Expansions

Major companies operating in the market have a global presence. For example, BASF SE is a globally operating producer of a wide range of chemicals. The company has established its presence worldwide by expanding its production capacity and serving around 90,000 customers globally.

Similarly, CIECH Group is expanding its business globally by expanding production capacities by investing in production technologies. For instance, the company raised the sodium silicate production capacity by 30% up to approximately 240 thousand tonnes per year. Occidental Petroleum Corporation, another key player, is one of the significant producers in North America. The company produces its products with efficient operations that harness them without negligible carbon emission.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Occidental Petroleum Corporation (U.S.)


• Evonik Industries (Germany)


• CIECH Group (Poland)


• Silmaco NV (Belgium)


• Oriental Silicas Corporation (Taiwan)


• PQ Corporation (U.S.)


• Nippon Chemical Industrial CO.LTD (Japan)


• Kiran Global Chem Limited (India)


• Ankit Silicates (India)


• BASF SE (Germany)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• September 2022: Evonik Industries partnered with Austria-based Poerner Group and Thailand-based Phichit Bio Power Co. to supply sustainable silica derived from Rice Husk Ash (RHA) under the brand name Ultrasil. This partnership is expected to expand the business activities of Evonik and maximize revenue growth.

REPORT COVERAGE

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The research report provides detailed market analysis and focuses on crucial aspects such as leading companies, applications, and types. Also, the report offers insights into market trends and dynamics, and highlights vital industry developments. In addition to the insights mentioned above, the report encompasses various factors driving the growth of the market in recent years.

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